Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform CPR on Cats and Dogs to Save Lives
It might surprise you to know that being able to perform CPR on Cats and Dogs is an important skill to have if you own a pet. Whether your cat or dog is an indoor or outdoor pet, knowing CPR means you can act quickly in an emergency and could save a pet’s life.
An emergency isn’t really the time to be searching on Google, so make sure you read this handy guide now so you can save the life of your pet or someone else’s if you need to.
Here’s our guide to CPR in cats and dogs
Remove Any Obstruction if Possible
Your cat or dog may be choking on something that is obstructing their breathing. Before attempting CPR, open your animal’s mouth and check whether its airway is clear. If there is something caught in their throat, remove it carefully. Your pet may be conscious and distressed, which could cause them to snap or bite. If this is the case, it’s best to take them straight to a veterinarian.
Give Artificial Respiration
If your cat or dog is unconscious and their airway is unobstructed, you can attempt to give artificial ventilation. This is done by tightly closing the animal’s jaw and breathing into its nose. You should see their chest rise. If this isn’t working or your pet is a small dog or cat, you could try covering their nose and mouth with your mouth and breathing over them. When doing artificial respirations, 2 breaths are sufficient.
Perform Chest Compressions
The way you perform chest compressions on an unconscious pet depends on its size. Large dogs can be positioned on their backs, as with humans, and compressions performed in the centre of their chest. This is difficult for small dogs and cats, so you may need to perform chest compressions while they are lying on their sides. Compressions are then done on the side of their rib cage. The rate of compression also varies depending on the animal’s size, but generally, 80-120 compressions per minute are suitable for small to medium-sized dogs and all cats. 60 compressions per minute are sufficient for large dogs.
Alternate between Breathing and Compressions
Now that you know how to perform breaths and compressions during CPR, it’s also important to alternate between the two. If you’re giving 80 compression,s then you should give a breath after 40. If you’re doing 60 compressions, give a breath after 30. Alternating between breaths and compressions increases the likelihood of successful CPR.
What Now?
Once your cat or dog is breathing independently again, you can cease CPR. You should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible after the incidents to determine the cause of the problem and perform a general health check. If CPR has failed, take your pet to the vet immediately.
The team at Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital understands, values, and respects the very special nature of the human-animal bond and is happy to assist you with performing CPR. We are also there for you in any emergency pet situation. Contact us to find out more today.
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