The worst headache for any paw parent is their fur baby’s habit of eating anything and everything. This habit of dogs often causes big trouble for them and stress to their paw parents. Due to this habit of your dog eating anything a choking-like situation occurs making you wonder, “What to do if a dog is choking?”
Through our blog, we will try to provide you with all the required information and make you aware of the consequences related to this choking situation.
What Is Choking?
Choking is a condition that blocks the dog’s airways making it difficult to breathe. It happens when any object or food gets stuck in a dog’s throat cutting the airflow and ultimately blocking the airway completely. This condition makes it difficult for the dog to breathe and can even cause the death of the dog if not treated on time.
Choking can happen in your dog due to several reasons. Dogs are curious creatures and tend to eat everything they see around them. This nature of dogs can lead to dogs consuming large chunks of food, toys, rawhide or for that matter any object. This object being hard and large gets stuck in the dog’s throat causing choking in them.
Due to choking the dog is unable to breathe, which stops the supply of oxygen in the dog’s body. This lack of oxygen affects the dog’s lungs, brain and heart which can cause death in dog.
Signs of Dog Choking
Choking is a serious condition in the dog, which if not observed on time can ultimately lead to the demise of your dog. Here are the signs to observe to know if your dog is choking or not:
Coughing
Suppose a dog choking then might be coughing repeatedly. Along with choking a dog might also may suffer from retching. Coughing and retching happen when the dog is trying to remove or swallow the stuck object but is unable to do so.
Pawing at the mouth
An object stuck in a dog’s throat causes them discomfort, difficulty in breathing and irritation. Due to this to get rid of it or out of distress the dog might be continuously pawing at their throat or mouth.
Difficulty in breathing
In choking the object is stuck in the dog’s throat and blocks their airway enabling them to breathe. This leads to difficulty in breathing in dogs and gasping. Along with difficulty in breathing, you may also witness unusual sounds in dogs suffering from choking.
Restlessness
Due to not being able to breathe and the discomfort of something stuck in the throat the dog may get panicked and anxious. This may result in restlessness in the dog and he might keep on changing positions and move here and there.
Pale gums
The gums of a dog suffering from choking turn pale. The gums of the dog turn pale due to lack of oxygen. The breathing difficulty in dogs cuts the oxygen supply in their body resulting in pale gums and sore tongues in them.
Loss of consciousness
Loss of consciousness is one of the extreme symptoms exhibited by dogs suffering from choking. This happens when the dog’s brain is deprived of oxygen for a longer period. If not treated on time it can lead to nerve bleeding in the dog’s brain causing their death.
What To Do if a Dog Is Choking?
Here’s what you can do to help your dog if he is choking:
- Try to remove the object from the dog’s mouth using your hand, you can also use a tweezer if you want. While removing the object be careful to not hurt your dog or push the object deeper. Try to remove the object only if it is visible.
- If your dog is unconscious then check their breathing and call the vet as soon as possible. Till the vet arrives try giving your dog CPR.
- You can also perform the Heimlich maneuver[1]. In this Heimlich maneuver you have to lift the dog’s hind legs and wrap your arms around their abdomen. Then with the wrapped hands, you have to thrust the hands inwards and upwards below the rib cage. Doing this will several times help remove the stuck object.
- Even after trying several times if the object is not removed consult the vet to avoid the fatal circumstances.
As mentioned by Dr. Rania Gollakner in petmd, "Pet parents can perform an extraction technique on their dog if they are unconscious, with a complete airway obstruction caused by a smooth object such as a ball. A veterinarian may instruct you on technique if there is a concern of waiting until arrival at the veterinary hospital. If your dog is choking, contact an emergency veterinarian immediately to determine next steps."
Prevention of Dog Choking
Here are some ways through which you can prevent choking in the dog:
- While feeding your dog make sure you feed the food in small chunks to avoid choking. Do not feed hard food to your dog, either break it into pieces or avoid feeding it.
- When your dog is playing with toys make sure you keep a close eye on them. If you notice your dog eating any piece of toy then remove that toy from there.
- Make the surrounding dog free by removing all the choking causing objects that your dog can chew.
- Do not use the choking chains and tight collars that can constrict your dog’s neck.
FAQs
What to do if a dog is choking?
If your dog is choking them you need to immediately help him or this can make it difficult for the dog to breathe and can be fatal. To help your dog to stop choking try to remove the object stuck in their throat with your hand or you can use the tweezer too. Apart from this, you can try to apply pressure on the dog’s abdomen, this can also help to remove the object from the dog’s throat.
How do you know if your dog is choking on something?
To know if your dog is choking or not you notice your dog’s body language. A choking dog may exhibit signs like difficulty in breathing, gasping air, distress and panic. Not only this a choking dog might have a lot of drooling, and can also cough. These are the signs that will help you know if your dog is choking or not.
Can dogs survive choking?
Yes, dogs can survive choking and their life can be saved if they get the proper treatment on time. Choking is a quite serious situation which can lead to the death of your dog if not treated on time. If you see your dog choking then you can try to help them by trying to remove the object stuck in their throat or just can take them to the vet as soon as possible.
Should I give my dog water after choking?
No, you should not give your dog water after choking as this will only worsen the situation. If you give your dog water after choking then it will just push the object deeper into the throat and can also cause aspiration pneumonia. You should wait till the object stuck in the dog’s throat is removed before giving water.
Can dogs choke in their sleep?
The possibility of dogs choking in their sleep is quite low. Mostly choking happens if some object gets stuck in a dog’s throat, which is not possible while sleeping. Even after this if your dog is choking while in sleep then it is a serious indication and can be fatal so consult a vet immediately.
Conclusion
Choking is a life-threatening condition that can even kill your dog if not treated on time. So if your dog is suffering from choking then without wasting time consult a vet. We hope through our blog, “What to do if a dog is choking?” we have provided you with a clear view of choking and its aftermath.
Dogs do not know what they are eating and what is good and bad for them but we surely do. Being a paw parent it’s your moral responsibility to safeguard your dog by making the space dog free for them.
Reference:
- CPR and Heimlich Maneuver on Pets | VMBS News. (2022, March 11). VMBS News.
