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  • Dog CPR

    A person performing CPR on a dog with chest compressions and rescue breaths.

    Signs and symptoms your dog may be choking include anxiousness or acting frantic, dog stops breathing, gums may be blue or white, loud breathing sounds, pawing at the mouth, and struggling or gasping to breath.

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    Emergency Steps

    1

    Follow the ABC’s. If your dog is not breathing and has no heartbeat, start CPR.

    • If you can’t convince yourself that your pet is beathing and has a heartbeat within 15 seconds, start chest compressions.
    2

    Chest compressions.

    • Small Dogs
      • Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, etc.
      • One handed technique: wrap your hand around the sternum at the level of the heart with your thumb on the up side and the rest of the fingers underneath.
      • Two handed technique: Place one hand over the other, with the heel of the hand directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
    • Medium – Large Round Chested Dogs
      • Retrievers, German Shepards, Rottweilers, etc.
      • Place one hand over the other, the heel of the hand should be placed on the highest or widest part of the chest. Lock the elbows, shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
    • Medium – Large Deep, Narrow, Keel Chested
      • Greyhounds, Doberman Pinschers, Borzois, etc.
      • Place one hand over the other, the heel of the hand should be placed directly over the heart. Lock the elbows, shoulders should be above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 of the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
    • Barrel, Flat Chested Dogs
      • Boston Terriers, Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, etc.
      • Place the dog on his back, place one hand over the other, the heel of the hand should be placed on the highest part of the sternum. Lock the elbows, shoulders above the hands. Compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest. Make sure the chest comes fully back up (recoils) before compressing again.
    3

    Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120/minute.

    4

    Perform cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths.

    • Gently close the dog’s mouth and extend the neck to open the airway. Cover the nose with your mouth and exhale until you see the dog’s chest rise. Give a rescue breath over 1 second.
    • As soon as 2 rescue breaths are delivered, resume compressions.
    5

    Briefly check for a heartbeat and spontaneous breathing every 2 minutes.

    • If there are two rescuers, switch jobs every 2 minutes. Minimize the time with no compressions.
    6

    Continue CPR until you reach a veterinary hospital.

    • In the absence of CPR, there is little chance of reviving a dog beyond 10 minutes. Good quality CPR can big you the time you need to get the dog to the vet.

    Dog CPR FAQs

    What are the ABCs of CPR?

    The ABCs of CPR are Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

    You want to quickly check each before beginning rescue breaths (if the dog is not breathing) and chest compressions (if there is no pulse or heartbeat).

    If unsure, start chest compressions.

    How many chest compressions do I give to a dog?

    Perform cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths. Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100-120 compressions/minute.

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    Information Provided Deborah C. Mandell, BS, VMD

    Dr. Debbie Mandell

    Pet First Aid information provided by Dr. Debbie Mandell, Professor of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; American Red Cross National Pet Care Advisor for the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Visit redcross.org/take-a-class/scientific-advisory-council to see how we work, members, sub councils, scientific reviews, and recent research.

    About Red Cross Training Services

    More than 4.6M people turn to us, the trusted training provider for First Aid, CPR, BLS and more, every year to gain lifesaving skills. Trust us to deliver unmatched lifesaving training that will provide you the confidence and skills to act when moments matter. Training Services is a division of the American Red Cross with the mission to spread knowledge and educate as many members of the national community in lifesaving procedures. Our services include training courses for CPR and AED, First Aid, BLS (Basic Life Support), Babysitting, Caregiving, Lifeguarding Water Safety, and more.