A true emergency

Choking is a real emergency, where a few seconds can be the difference between life and death. There’s no time to google what you should do.

Pets can choke when something becomes stuck in the back of their mouth or throat and blocks their windpipe.

Any pet can choke although as vets we can report that it seems to usually be dogs (cats are more sensible!), and they mostly choke on toys or chews.

If the windpipe is only partly blocked then your pet may be whining, crying, retching, or pawing at their face.

If the windpipe is COMPLETELY blocked then your pet will not be able to make any noise at all.

Animals who are choking are likely to be scared and they may panic and lash out. Stay calm and try to help them but do not risk injury. Take them to your vet.

If you are able, carefully look in your pets mouth. You may need someone to help by holding your pet’s mouth open.

Check the roof of their mouth and the back of their throat. If you can see the object and remove it then do so carefully. Do not pull excessively- if you are struggling then take your pet to the vet.

If an object is stuck at the back of the throat you may be able to dislodge it by pressing from the outside behind the jaw and pushing forward. This may be easier if you gently place your pet on their back.

Objects which are stuck further back may be dislodged with a modified Heimlich manoeuvre.

– Use the heel of your hand or make a fist and place it just below your poet’s ribcage.

– Very firmly and sharply press IN and UP.

– Check their mouth for the dislodged object.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO REMOVE AN OBJECT AFTER ONE ATTEMPT THEN TAKE YOUR PET TO THE VET ASAP.

If you are able to remove the object, take your pet to the vet for a checkover afterwards.

Let’s try and avoid choking in the first place…

Consider carefully what you give your pet to chew, eat and play with!

Balls:

Size Matters!

Choose the right size ball for your dog: small enough to carry, but not so small that it can slip towards the back teeth and throat.

You can get extra large balls for big dogs, and extra small balls for the little guys!

Bones:

Large bones can block an animal’s windpipe if they get stuck, and bone splinters can lodge in the throat or
digestive tract.

Cooked or uncooked, bones always pose a risk. Avoid them altogether!

Sticks:

Throwing sticks for your dog, or allowing them to chew sticks can cause nasty injuries to the mouth and throat.

Opt instead for specially designed safe chew toys, appropriately sized balls, frisbees, or retrieval dummies.

Summary Points

🚨 Choking is a life-threatening emergency — act fast, stay calm, and get to your vet immediately if you can’t clear the obstruction on the first attempt.

🐾 Know the signs: partial choking causes gagging, pawing, or whining, while complete blockage means your pet can’t make any noise.

🦴 Prevention is best! Avoid sticks, bones, and toys that are too small — always choose safe, size-appropriate chew and play options for your dog.