What to Do if Your Dog is Choking

Choking is a serious risk for pet dogs. The world is full of interesting things our companions can’t wait to investigate (using their mouths, of course)—and when you add in a canine’s natural scavenging tendency? We have a recipe for disaster. The Atlanta Humane Society and CNY SPCA report more than 200,000 pets get a foreign object stuck in their airway each year.

Thankfully, it’s simple to prevent your dog from choking if you set up your environment well. Some basic knowledge of canine first aid, like the doggy heimlich maneuver, can keep the emergencies that do occur from turning into tragedies.

Here’s what you need to know about choking in dogs!

• How to tell if your dog is choking
• Simple ways to prevent your dog from choking
• What to do if your dog is choking
• Further canine first aid resources

1) How can you tell if your dog is choking?

The sooner you recognize choking as a medical emergency, the sooner you can open up your pup’s airway. Here’s what to look for.

Choking symptoms in dogs

• Coughing and gagging: One of the most obvious signs of choking is persistent and forceful coughing or gagging. Your dog may be attempting to clear the offending object—often a piece of food—from their throat.
• Pawing at their mouth: Your dog may paw at their muzzle in a frantic attempt to dislodge the stuck object.
• Drooling excessively: Excessive drooling, sometimes accompanied by foaming at the mouth, can be a sign of choking. This drool may be thick and stringy.
• Difficulty breathing: You may notice your dog struggling to inhale or exhale, with labored or noisy breathing sounds.
• Panic and agitation: Choking is a distressing experience for dogs. Just like us, they may become agitated! A choking pup may be restless, pacing, and more inclined to resist your touch. (This can be startling as a pet owner—but it's normal under the circumstances.)
• Blue tongue or gums (cyanosis): If the obstruction is severe, your dog's tongue and gums may turn blue or purplish due to inadequate oxygenation.
• Collapse or loss of consciousness: A choking dog may collapse, lose consciousness, or become unresponsive. This is a critical emergency situation requiring immediate action and medical advice from a professional.

2) How can you prevent your dog from choking?

Here are some steps you can take to prevent choking in the first place.

Choking prevention in dogs: Environment

• Secure trash bins: Close trash bins to prevent your dog from rummaging through them and ingesting harmful plastic or food items.
• Store small objects out of reach: Keep small objects—like buttons, coins, jewelry, and plastic children's toys—out of your dog's reach. Dogs are known for their curiosity. They may accidentally swallow things they find interesting.
• Otherwise pet-proof your home: Dog-proof your living space by securing electrical cords, curtain cords, and other items that your dog could chew on or get tangled in.
• Supervise your dog: Always supervise your dog when they are playing with toys, chewing on treats or bones, or eating their meals. This allows you to intervene quickly if your dog starts to choke. Pay special attention if your pup is an aggressive chewer or has any preexisting health issues!

Choking prevention in dogs: Toys

• Choose appropriate toys: Select toys that are safe for your dog's size and chewing habits. Avoid toys that are too little, have small parts that can be chewed off, or contain sharp edges. Toys specifically designed for dogs—like sturdy rubber Kong toys or other designated enrichment puzzles—are generally safe options.
• Inspect toys often: Check your dog's toys regularly for signs of wear and tear. Discard any damaged or broken toys that could pose a choking hazard.

Choking prevention in dogs: Training

• Teach "drop" or "leave it" cues: These skills can be lifesavers if your dog picks up something potentially dangerous.
• Crate training: Consider crate training your dog when you can't supervise them. A crate provides a safe, controlled environment and prevents access to potentially dangerous items.

Choking prevention in dogs: Feeding

• Use size-appropriate treats: When giving your dog treats or chews, make sure they are the appropriate size for your dog. Avoid giving small treats that your dog could swallow whole.
• Do not give cooked bones: Cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard. Instead, provide your dog with raw, meaty bones or safe chew toys designed for dental health.
• Properly prepare food: If you prepare homemade dog food, be sure to remove any hard parts (especially bones from poultry) and cut the food into small, manageable pieces.

3) What should you do if your dog is choking?

Choking in dogs can be life threatening. It requires emergency intervention. The most important thing you can do is act quickly!

Call an emergency vet

First things first: If you have someone else with you, have them call the nearest emergency vet.

You can also do this with your phone’s voice commands so you can speak to a veterinarian while having your hands free to help your dog.

Check your dog’s mouth

Carefully check your dog's mouth and throat to see if you can identify the object causing the obstruction.

Be cautious when doing this to avoid pushing the object farther down their throat. Do not attempt to blindly reach into your dog's airway to remove what’s there! You may inadvertently push the stuck object deeper or risk getting bitten. (Even the friendliest dogs can react in stressful situations.)

Perform the canine heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)

For small dogs (under 30 pounds):

• Stand or kneel behind your dog.
• Place your hands just below your dog's rib cage (toward the back of the abdomen).
• Apply firm, upward pressure with quick, forceful thrusts. Use your hands to squeeze the abdomen inward and upward.
• Repeat this maneuver until the object is expelled or until your dog can breathe on their own.

For larger dogs (over 30 pounds):

• Stand behind your dog.
• Place your arms around your dog's waist.
• Make a fist with one hand and place it just below the rib cage.
• Place your other hand over your fist.
• Apply firm, upward pressure with quick, forceful thrusts, aiming to dislodge the object.
• Repeat this maneuver until the object is expelled or until your dog can breathe on their own.

After performing the Heimlich maneuver, check your dog's mouth again to see if the object is visible and accessible. If it is, you may attempt to gently remove it with your fingers or a pair of dog-friendly tweezers or pliers.

If the object is not dislodged and your dog is still choking, continue the Heimlich maneuver until you’re able to get veterinary assistance.

4) What should you do after your dog has stopped choking?

Professional veterinary care is a good idea even after successful removal of the obstructing object. Always contact your trusted vet team or local emergency animal clinic for guidance if your dog has experienced a choking incident.

5) Further resources for canine first aid

The more you know ahead of time, the better you'll be able to help your pup in emergency situations.

• How to remove ticks on dogs
• Heat stroke prevention and treatment
• AVMA first aid tips for pet owners
• Canine CPR introduction

You may also consider signing up for some pet emergency education offered by a nearby professional dog training, boarding, vet, or daycare facility. Real-time practice builds confidence!

Review of this Article

There is so much misinformation out there, and we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers or veterinarians.  

This is the professional that reviewed this article:

Christina Olsen, DVM
Rogue Veterinary; Rogue-vet.com; Certified Death Doula; Rogue Sphynx Cattery