Performing Canine CPR Emergency Procedure

by admin in Pet Care Basics 16 - Last Update November 19, 2025

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Performing Canine CPR Emergency Procedure

I\'ll never forget the day I signed up for my first pet first aid and CPR course. My heart was in my throat, picturing the worst-case scenarios. But as a pet parent for over 15 years, I knew that simply hoping an emergency would never happen wasn\'t a strategy. I needed to be prepared. The instructor said something that has stuck with me ever since: \"In a crisis, you don\'t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training.\" That\'s why I\'m sharing the core principles I learned, not to replace a hands-on course, but to give you a foundation of knowledge for a moment I hope you never face.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is for educational purposes to be used in a life-or-death emergency while you are on your way to a veterinarian. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care or a certified, hands-on pet first aid course. Always contact your nearest emergency vet immediately.

A critical first step: check before you act

Before you even think about starting CPR, you must quickly assess the situation. Panicking and jumping straight to compressions on a dog that doesn\'t need them can cause serious harm. I learned to remember the simple \'A-B-C\' checklist.

A: Airway

Is their airway clear? Gently open their mouth, pull the tongue forward, and look for any foreign objects. If you see something, carefully try to sweep it out with your finger. Be cautious not to push it further down.

B: Breathing

Are they breathing? Look for the rise and fall of their chest. Hold your cheek or the back of your hand near their nose to feel for air. I find that watching the chest is the most reliable method when my adrenaline is pumping.

C: Circulation

Do they have a pulse? The easiest place to find a pulse is on the femoral artery, located high on the inside of their rear leg, near where it joins the body. Place two fingers there and feel for a beat. If you can\'t find one, and they are not breathing, it\'s time to begin CPR.

The two parts of canine CPR: compressions and breaths

Canine CPR is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breathing. The goal is to manually circulate blood and oxygen through the body until their heart and lungs can take over again or until you reach a vet.

How to perform chest compressions

The technique varies slightly depending on your dog\'s size. For most medium to large dogs, have them lie on their right side. Place your hands, one on top of the other, over the widest part of their chest, right behind their elbow. For barrel-chested breeds like bulldogs, you may need to have them on their back. For very small dogs or cats, you can often encircle their chest with one hand and use your thumb and fingers to compress.

Lock your elbows and push down hard and fast, aiming to compress the chest by about one-third to one-half its depth. The rhythm is key: aim for 100-120 compressions per minute. The beat of the song \"Stayin\' Alive\" is the perfect tempo to remember.

How to give rescue breaths

After a round of compressions, you\'ll give rescue breaths. For dogs, this is a mouth-to-snout procedure. Hold their mouth and lips closed with your hands and place your mouth completely over their nose, forming a seal. Give two steady breaths, each lasting about one second, just enough to see their chest rise. Don\'t breathe too forcefully.

The CPR cycle: putting it all together

The universally recommended cycle is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. It feels incredibly fast and physically demanding, which is something the course really prepared me for. You continue this cycle without stopping.

My biggest takeaway was that you don\'t stop. You continue performing CPR in cycles of 30:2 while someone else drives you to the emergency vet. If you\'re alone, perform CPR for two minutes, then quickly transport your dog to the vet, resuming when you arrive if necessary. Continue until your dog starts breathing on its own, a vet takes over, or you are physically unable to continue. It\'s exhausting, but it can be the difference between life and death. Gaining this knowledge transformed my fear into a feeling of preparedness, and I urge every pet owner to consider taking a formal course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if my dog actually needs CPR?

You should only perform CPR if your dog is unresponsive, not breathing, and has no detectable heartbeat or pulse. First, try to rouse them. If they don't respond, check for breathing by watching their chest and feeling for air from their nose. Then, check for a pulse on the inner thigh (femoral artery). If all three are absent, begin CPR and contact an emergency vet immediately.

What is the correct rate for chest compressions on a dog?

The recommended rate is 100 to 120 compressions per minute, regardless of the dog's size. A helpful way I remember this is to press to the beat of the song 'Stayin' Alive.' The key is to be consistent and maintain this rapid pace. Remember, this is physically demanding, but it's vital for circulating blood.

Can I break my dog's ribs while doing CPR?

Yes, there is a risk of breaking ribs, especially with vigorous compressions. However, in a life-or-death situation where the heart has stopped, a broken rib is a treatable injury, whereas lack of blood flow to the brain and organs is fatal. The priority is to restore circulation. Always have a vet assess your pet immediately after any resuscitation attempt.

Where exactly do I place my hands for compressions?

For most dogs, lay them on their right side. Place the heel of one hand over the widest part of their chest, right over the heart (where their bent elbow would touch their chest), and place your other hand on top. For barrel-chested dogs like bulldogs, you may need to place them on their back and compress on the sternum. For tiny dogs, you can often wrap one hand around the chest and use your thumb to compress.

How long should I continue performing CPR on my dog?

Ideally, you should continue CPR without interruption until you reach an emergency veterinary clinic and a professional can take over. If you're alone, perform CPR for about 2 minutes before pausing to transport your pet. You should only stop if your dog begins breathing on its own, a vet takes over, or you become physically exhausted and cannot continue. It's a marathon, not a sprint.