Airway · Critical emergency
What if my dog is choking on an object?
Immediate actions — first 60 seconds
1. Carefully open the mouth and inspect the back of the throat under bright light. 2. If a firm object is clearly visible, sweep it out with a finger or pliers. 3. Do not push the object deeper down the trachea.
Perform a canine Heimlich maneuver: for large dogs, wrap your arms around the abdomen below the ribcage from behind, make a fist, and thrust upward and forward toward the spine 4-5 times. For small dogs, hold the pet against your chest upside down or apply upward pressure beneath the ribs.