Dogs are curious creatures and often chew and swallow things they shouldn’t. It’s impossible to track what your dog is doing or eating constantly. I explore what to do if your dog has something stuck in their throat, the difference between that and choking, and the many questions about this scary subject. Although there are no home remedies for dog choking, you can take precautions at home to prevent something from becoming stuck in your dog’s throat. So, let’s look at everything you need to know to keep your pup safe.
If your dog has something stuck in their throat or is choking, you should visit the vet immediately. It is a medical emergency, or it could quickly become one. Stay calm and head to your nearest vet.
Is Something Stuck In My Dog’s Throat, Or Are They Choking?
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Before I discuss how to handle dog choking and what to do if your dog has something stuck in their throat, it’s essential to understand the difference between the two scenarios. Like humans, dogs have an esophagus, the food pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach, and a trachea, the windpipe. Choking occurs when dogs have severe difficulty breathing due to an obstruction in their throat or a lack of air reaching their lungs. If your dog has something stuck in their throat, it’s stuck in the front of their neck or further down their esophagus.
Dog Choking
Choking can be fatal in minutes, as a lack of oxygen to their vital organs can lead to a complete bodily shutdown. Common items that can cause a dog to choke could be a dog toy, a bone, a plastic bag, or any object that prevents them from breathing. If something small becomes stuck in their trachea, it still needs to be removed as soon as possible. Only air should vent into the trachea. Breathing in any material, such as food, vomit, or liquid, can lead to aspiration pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the airways.
Esophagus Blockages
Choking can also be caused by an esophagus blockage, which can sometimes suppress the trachea. If an object becomes stuck in the esophagus, your dog might initially appear only slightly uncomfortable or even okay. The object might pass quickly. However, esophageal obstructions can lead to many complications if not treated quickly. Foreign objects can cause holes in the esophagus, air or fluid to build up around the lungs, and breathing issues. There are two types of esophagus blockages:
- Full Obstruction. This occurs when food or water cannot pass down the food pipe. Symptoms usually appear immediately.
- Partial Obstruction. A dog can have something small in their throat and still breathe or drink water as normal. A partial obstruction can be more challenging to spot, and symptoms might take several hours to show.
Signs A Dog Has Something Stuck In Their Throat
Like many health problems, the signs and symptoms that a dog has something stuck in their throat vary. Here are the most common, but please remember this is not an exhaustive list.
- Gagging, coughing, retching
- Gulping
- Licking or smacking their lips
- Pawing at their mouth or throat
- Excessive drooling
- Blood in their drool or mouth
- Vomiting
- Pacing or general uncomfortableness
- Lethargy
- Pain with movement
- Decreased interest in drinking or eating
If you notice these symptoms and suspect your pet has something stuck in their throat, you must take them to your vet immediately.
Signs That Your Dog Is Choking
Only choking dogs have difficulty inhaling air into their lungs. The symptoms of choking can include some of the above, but because choking is more of an emergency, it has a few additional and more life-threatening symptoms:
- Extreme distress
- Silent coughing, gagging, or retching
- Blue mucous membranes, also known as cyanosis
- Rubbing their face against the ground
- Collapsing
- Loss of consciousness
Something Stuck In A Dog’s Throat, But Not Choking?
If your dog has something stuck in their throat but is not choking, you still need to take them to the vet. They might not be choking now, but if the object remains lodged in the throat, they might start choking later. Anything that remains in their esophagus or trachea can cause further medical issues.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Something Stuck In Their Throat: 3 Things
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: if your dog has something stuck in their throat, you need to take them to a vet immediately. Home remedies are not efficient in retrieving a foreign object. However, there are a few things you need to do between the object becoming stuck and seeing the vet. Here’s how to help a choking dog before arriving at the vet.
1. Remove The Object If Possible & Safe To Do So
If you can see the object, you can use your fingers to try and remove the object by pulling it out. However, you must be careful doing this for several reasons. Firstly, you must be careful not to push or poke the object further down the throat, which can worsen the blockage or cause further injury. Although some websites suggest finger-swiping or hooking a stuck object in a dog’s throat is safe, many veterinarians say it isn’t. Removing an object from a dog’s throat is only viable if you can pull it out.
Secondly, a choking dog can be highly distressed and might attempt to bite you. If your dog shows extreme distress, agitation, or aggression, do not put yourself or others at risk. Never put a muzzle on a dog struggling to breathe or choking, as this can worsen the situation. On some occasions, you might be able to see the object lodged in their throat from looking at their neck. Watch this short video of a vet removing a toy ball from the throat of a choking dog by pushing the object down and up in a letter “J” movement, also known as the external extraction technique.
2. Heimlich Maneuver For Dogs
If you cannot safely remove the object by pulling it out with your fingers or using the external extraction technique on a ball, you must attempt the Heimlich for dogs maneuver. This technique aims to dislodge the object from the body. There are two different Heimlich maneuver techniques depending on the size of your dog.
Performing The Heimlich Maneuver On Small Dogs
- Hold your dog on your lap with their back against your stomach.
- Using the palm of your hand, apply pressure in the soft hollow of the rib cage, pushing firmly inwards and upwards five times in a thrusting motion.
- Roll your dog onto their side and check their mouth for the object.
- If the item didn’t dislodge, repeat.
Performing The Heimlich Maneuver On Medium & Large Dogs
The Heimlich for dogs maneuver technique for medium-to-large dogs is essentially the same as above, with two differences. Instead of using the palm of your hand, clench your fist and apply a bit more pressure to dislodge the item. If you have a large dog, you might be unable to sit them on your lap. So, if you can, try this technique with their rear paws on the floor, standing upright like in this video.
Alternatively, you can also perform this technique when they are standing with four paws on the floor:
- Wrap your arms around them so your hands join at the abdomen.
- Make a fist with your hands.
- Firmly and swiftly, pull inwards and forward five times in a thrusting motion – just as you would with a human.
- Roll your dog onto their side and check their mouth for the object.
- If the item didn’t dislodge, repeat.
If your large dog is unconscious and lying on the floor (but still breathing,) place one hand on your dog’s back and use the other hand to push or squeeze their abdomen in and upwards towards their throat. After five attempts, check your dog’s mouth for the foreign object and repeat if necessary.
3. CPR On A Dog
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. If your dog is choking and unable to breathe, they might quickly become unconscious. You should perform CPR on a dog when they are unconscious and not breathing. CPR helps pump oxygenated blood around the dog’s body to their brain and other vital organs when it stops beating or is pumping ineffectively. Aim for 100 to 120 compressions per minute, with two rescue breaths for every 30 chest compressions. Keep doing this until your dog starts breathing again or when the vet can take over. We have a step-by-step guide on how to perform CPR on a dog.
Watch this informative video on how to perform dog CPR:
What To Do When Your Dog Stops Choking
If your dog stops choking or you manage to dislodge the offending object, it’s important to see the vet anyway. You don’t know what damage the object has caused your dog, and you may not have dislodged the entire article. It’s better to be safe than sorry and ensure a vet examines your pup. We have a guide on traveling safely with your dog in an emergency.
How Pet Insurance Can Help
Swallowing a foreign object is among the most common pet insurance claims for breeds like Labradors, Beagles, and others. And when it happens, medical bills can run into thousands of dollars. We review some of the best pet insurance policies, most of which cover accident and emergency costs like this, as well as illnesses. However, some companies offer accident-only pet insurance policies to help cover costs for injury-related vet visits only. These plans are typically less expensive than accident and illness policies. For more information, head to our reviews on the best accident-only pet insurance plans.
5 Ways On How To Prevent Your Dog From Choking
It’s impossible to prevent all cases of dog choking, but you can minimize the risk of your dog getting something stuck in their throat by taking several proactive steps at home.
1. Dog-Proof Your Home
Keep your home and environment safe by removing small items, electrical cords, plastic bags, and other hazards from paw’s reach. You’ll be surprised how common it is for everyday household objects such as sneakers, socks, fish hooks, and other things that can become stuck in your dog’s throat.
2. Choose Appropriate Dog Toys
Always choose toys that are appropriate for your dog’s size. If a toy is too small for your dog, they can easily swallow it. It’s also important to consider their playing and chewing habits. If your dog is a heavy chewer, always pick a toy designed for aggressive chewers, and never give them a plush toy, for example.
3. Supervise Meal Times
It’s important to monitor your dog during meals to ensure they don’t eat too quickly or swallow whole, unchewed pieces of food. If your dog eats quickly, why not use a slow feeder to help them pace themselves?
4. Be Cautious With Treats & Avoid Bones
No matter how much your dog loves rawhide treats or something similar, they can splinter and become stuck in your dog’s throat more easily than other treats. Bones are one of the most common causes of dog choking, so avoid feeding your dog a bone. We recommend some of the best freeze-dried dog treats and other rawhide alternatives to help keep your pup safe.
5. Teach The “Leave It” Command
Teach your dog the “leave it” command. This basic command can help to prevent your dog from picking up and swallowing potentially dangerous items during walks, such as animal bones, or during meal prep in the kitchen when you might drop a toxic food item on the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know some of our readers still have questions about dogs choking and what to do in this situation. If you have a question I haven’t listed below, let us know in the comments, and we’ll find the answer.
Why Is My Dog Choking?
Thankfully, dogs choking is rare, but dogs choke for several reasons. The most common cause is when a foreign object becomes stuck in the throat. Other causes include brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS), strangulation, and smoke inhalation. A collapsed trachea, which is more common in smaller breeds or senior dogs, can also cause choking.
How Can I Remove Something From My Dog’s Throat?
Only try to remove something from your dog’s throat that you can see and easily pull out. Please do not attempt to swipe or finger-hook an item, as you might push it down further into your dog’s throat and cause further injury. You also need to consider your safety, as distressed dogs often bite. Remember to check the roof of their mouth, as items frequently become lodged there, too.
Can A Blockage In A Dog’s Throat Resolve Itself?
Although it could resolve itself, it could also remain and cause further problems down the line. If your dog has something stuck in their throat, even if they’re not choking, please take them to the vet for an examination.
What Does Dog Choking Look Like?
If you’re wondering what a dog choking looks or sounds like, it’s important to say it’s different for every dog and depends on what the dog is choking on. Dog choking noise differs from a dog cough and is usually more of a strained retching noise, sometimes silent. If you’re unsure whether your dog is choking on something, it’s better to be safe and to see a vet for immediate assistance. When it comes to choking, time is of the essence.
Other Ways To Protect Your Dog In Medical Emergencies
Now you know how to help a choking dog and hopefully prevent them from getting something stuck in their throat. But you can prepare yourself for a pet emergency in several other ways. With years under my belt as a professional dog walker, I know the importance of being prepared for pet emergencies. First, start with a pet first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, styptic powder, a tick remover, and more. You can also consider investing in a detox first aid treatment such as Dr. Cuddles ReadyRESCUE that can prevent different types of dog toxicity. And because you cannot accurately test a dog’s temperature by touching their nose or face, having a dog thermometer is also a must-have at-home tool.
I hope you’ve never experienced your dog choking on something, but if you have and want to share your experience, we’d love you to reach out to us in the comments below.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma is a dog mom to two rescue dogs, Bonkers and Chips. She has a passion for all things dogs and has years of experience as a professional dog walker and sitter. Although she has thankfully never experienced a dog choking, she has passed pet first aid courses and knows how to deal with this medical emergency should it ever happen. Emma works with a dedicated team at Canine Journal to provide their readers with the best and most up-to-date canine content.