First aid

Choking: dog first aid

Use this when your dog is struggling to breathe, pawing at its mouth or making choking sounds because something is stuck.

Get your dog to a vet as soon as you can

Verdict: First aid · Emergency: get help now
Signs: Struggling to breathe, pawing at the mouth, choking sounds when breathing or coughing, blue lips or tongue and collapse.
First step: If your dog can still breathe, keep it calm and go to a vet right away. All steps
Sources: RECOVER Guidelines, AVMA, PDSA. Reviewed 9 October 2026.

If your dog can still breathe, keep it calm and go to a vet right away.
If it can't breathe, give up to 5 firm blows with the flat of your hand on the back of the rib cage, beside the spine.
If that doesn't work, hold the head lower than the body, or give quick chest or belly thrusts. Be gentle with small or thin dogs.
Keep trying until the object comes out or you reach the vet. Have someone call ahead.
If your dog passes out, start CPR. Before giving breaths, look in the mouth and remove any object you can see.
Once the object is out, take your dog to a vet right away.

Don't reach into the mouth of a dog that is awake. You may be bitten or push the object deeper.
Don't sweep your fingers blindly in the throat.
Don't skip the vet visit after the object comes out.

A blocked airway stops air getting in. A coughing dog can still breathe in, but a choking dog struggles to get any air at all.

Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.

General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.