How to Do the Heimlich Maneuver on a Dog

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Choking

Signs of choking in dogs include:

• Pawing frantically at the mouth or face
• Gagging, retching, or coughing without producing anything
• Difficulty breathing or high-pitched breathing sounds
• Blue or gray gums (oxygen deprivation — act immediately)
• Panic, distress, or collapse

Note: dogs that are coughing forcefully are moving air and are not fully obstructed. A dog that cannot cough, cannot breathe, or has blue gums is in complete obstruction — act immediately.

Step 1: Check the Mouth First

If your dog is conscious and you can safely do so, open the mouth and look for the obstruction. If you can see it and safely reach it with your fingers, remove it. Do not perform a blind finger sweep — you may push the object deeper.

Step 2: Heimlich Maneuver for Large Dogs (Standing)

1. Stand or kneel behind your dog
2. Wrap your arms around their waist from behind
3. Make a fist with one hand and place it just below the ribcage (in the soft area of the abdomen)
4. Cover your fist with your other hand
5. Give 3–5 firm, sharp thrusts inward and upward
6. Check the mouth after each set of thrusts for the dislodged object
7. Repeat until the object is dislodged or the dog loses consciousness

Step 3: Heimlich Maneuver for Small Dogs

1. Hold your small dog with their back against your chest, facing away from you
2. Place one hand on the abdomen just below the ribcage
3. Give 3–5 firm upward thrusts
4. Check the mouth after each set
5. Alternatively: hold the dog upside down by the hips and give 3–5 downward shakes

Step 4: If the Dog Loses Consciousness

1. Lay the dog on their side on a flat surface
2. Open the mouth and look for the object — remove if visible
3. Give 2 rescue breaths (cover nose with your mouth)
4. If chest doesn't rise, reposition the head and try again
5. Begin CPR if no heartbeat — see our guide on how to do CPR on a dog
6. Get to an emergency vet immediately

After the Object Is Dislodged

Even if your dog seems fine after a choking episode, see a vet. Internal injuries, airway damage, or aspiration pneumonia can develop after choking events.

🧰 Recommended: EVERLIT Pet Medic First Aid Kit (95 Pcs) — Vet-approved emergency supplies. Keep one at home and one in the car for emergencies.

🚑 Recommended: Dog Oxygen Mask for Large Dogs — For post-choking oxygen support if needed while transporting to the vet.