Veterinarian Explains How to Do CPR on a Dog

Your dog is part of the family; you naturally want to protect them from harm. That includes preparing for a medical emergency requiring quick and appropriate action.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a good pet first aid skill every pup parent should know—it could literally save your dog’s life. While we hope you never need to use this information, here’s what you need to know to safely and effectively perform dog CPR.

What Is Dog CPR?

If your dog’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing, blood flow also stops. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation keeps blood and oxygen circulating through your dog’s body.

When the heart is healthy and beating, it provides oxygen-rich blood to vital organs, such as the brain and kidneys. When it stops, these organs are quickly starved of oxygen, which can lead to rapid and permanent damage.

Performing CPR temporarily takes over the heart’s job. Pressing on the chest—chest compressions—manually circulates the blood, while rescue breaths provide much-needed oxygen. By combining these techniques, your dog’s brain and other organs can continue to work until their heart starts beating again or a veterinary professional or DVM provides advanced care.

While dog CPR doesn’t fix the problem, it can buy your pup precious time, prevent lasting damage, and give them a better chance to recover.

When to perform CPR on your dog

As with any dog first aid technique, knowing when to act is critical.

Just like with people, perform CPR on dogs when their heart or breathing has stopped. Situations that require dog CPR include:

• Unresponsiveness — If your dog is unconscious or doesn’t respond when you call their name or touch them, it could mean their heart or breathing has stopped. You’ll need to confirm this before beginning dog CPR.
• No breathing — To see if your dog is breathing, look at their chest. Watch for a chest rise and fall. You may also place your hand in front of the dog’s nose to see if you can feel air coming out.
• No heartbeat — To know if your dog’s heart is beating, place your hand on the left side of their chest, behind the elbow to feel for a heartbeat. You may need to press in a bit if your dog has a heavy coat.

If your dog is unresponsive and you can’t feel a heartbeat or breath, stay calm and start CPR as soon as possible. This is an emergency situation and every second counts.

How to perform CPR on a dog

Organizations such as the American Red Cross, offer online first aid courses that include pet CPR. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform CPR on a dog:

1. Ensure your dog is safe — Before starting dog CPR, make sure the situation is safe for you and your dog. Move away from hazards such as traffic, stairs or ledges, other animals, and sharp objects.
2. Position your dog correctly — Lay your dog on their right side on a flat surface. This position helps you better access their heart and airway.
3. Clear your dog’s airway — Check your dog’s airway for obstructions such as food, vomit, or foreign objects like toys or sticks. If you see something in their mouth, gently remove it. Be careful not to push the object further down their throat.
4. Determine the best location for chest compressions — Kneel or stand behind your dog, along their back. Put one hand on top of the other with your fingers interlaced. Focus the force of your compression on the heel of the hand that touches your dog’s chest. The compression location depends on your dog’s size and breed:
   • Round-chested dogs — If you have a large dog with a round chest, such as a Labrador retriever, lay them on their side and focus your compressions over the widest part of the chest.
   • Narrow deep-chested dogs — If your dog is narrow and deep-chested, such as a greyhound, focus the chest compressions just behind the elbow of the left front leg under the ribcage.
   • Small dogs — Dogs less than 30 pounds usually have a narrow chest. Focus your compressions directly over the heart, and consider using only one hand to prevent squeezing too hard.
   • Barrel-chested dogs — If your dog is barrel-chested, such as a bulldog, lay them on their back and place your hands directly over their sternum (i.e., the breast bone at the center of their chest). If you have trouble keeping your dog on their back, lay them on their side and perform chest compressions as you would for a round-chested dog.
5. Start chest compressions — To perform chest compressions, stand or kneel so that your shoulders are centered over your interlaced hands on your dog’s chest and keep your elbows locked. Compress or push at least one-third but no more than one-half the width of your pup’s chest. It is easy to compress too much if you have a small dog, so be careful! Aim for 100 to 120 compressions per minute or about two compressions every second. Singing the Bee Gees’ song, “Stayin’ Alive,” in your head can help you keep the right rhythm and frequency.
6. Perform rescue breaths — Close your dog’s mouth, and make sure their neck is as straight as possible. Their head should be flat on the floor or table, and the tip of their nose should be in line with their spine. Place your mouth over your dog’s nostrils to make a seal. Blow hard enough that your pup’s chest moves. Allow your dog to exhale and then repeat the breath.
7. Alternate chest compressions and rescue breaths — Dog CPR should alternate between chest compressions and rescue breaths. Give 30 chest compressions, followed by two rescue breaths, and repeat this cycle for two minutes. At this time, briefly stop to check your dog for a heartbeat. If their heart still isn’t beating, continue CPR.

Pro tip

If possible, have one person perform chest compressions and another perform rescue breaths. Switch positions every two minutes to help prevent fatigue. As soon as transportation is available, load your dog in the vehicle and continue CPR as you travel to the nearest veterinarian.

In case of obstruction: How to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a dog

If your dog has an obstruction in their throat that you can’t physically remove, you must perform the Heimlich maneuver before starting CPR. Note, the Heimlich maneuver is slightly different for large and small dogs. Steps include:

• Large dogs — Lift your dog so that their spine is against your chest and wrap your arms under their ribs. Make a fist with one hand and cup your other hand around the fisted hand. If your dog is too large to lift, place one hand on their back and use the other to squeeze the abdomen in and up. In either position, perform five rapid thrusts.
• Small dogs — Position your dog upside down with their back against your chest. Use a fist to perform upward thrusts into their abdomen just below the ribcage.

Once the object is dislodged, check your dog’s heartbeat and breathing. If your dog is still unresponsive, begin dog CPR.

Tips for effective dog CPR

CPR is a life-saving measure, but unfortunately, it’s not always successful—especially without prompt veterinary care.

Regardless, dog CPR provides the best possible chance of survival during a cardiovascular or respiratory emergency. General tips for effectively handling a pet emergency and performing CPR include:

• Stay calm — Staying calm when your pet needs emergency care is not easy. Remaining focused can help you take quick and correct action.
• Use the right amount of force — Be careful with small dogs and puppies to avoid further injury. Use firm compressions for larger dogs to ensure effectiveness.
• Take a course — CPR is a skill that is best learned with hands-on training and expert instruction. Consider taking a course to get certified in pet CPR and pet emergency preparedness.
• Seek veterinary care — CPR is not a cure for your dog’s condition and should always be followed by professional medical attention. Transport your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary center as quickly as possible.

As a responsible pet owner, learning dog CPR is a great way to help safeguard your four-legged friend from a medical emergency. Consider enrolling in a pet first aid course or CPR certification class. A formal course will provide expert training, peace of mind, and the confidence that comes from knowing what to do in a pet emergency.

This content is for informational use only and does not replace professional nutrition and/or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for specific nutrition and/or medical recommendations. Please talk with your veterinarian about any questions or concerns.

By Jenny Alonge, DVM, FFCP