CPR Guidelines for Dogs or Cats

If Your Pet Is Unresponsive

Start by trying to rouse your pet by gently shaking them or calling their name. If there's no reaction, check whether they're breathing. A breathing pet needs to get to a vet immediately.

If your pet isn't breathing

Open the mouth, grasp the tongue, and draw it forward so you can see clearly to the back of the throat. If you spot an obstruction, carefully try to dislodge it without pushing it deeper. If your pet reacts at any point, stop and be mindful that a panicked animal may bite.

If there's still no response

Call out for help and begin CPR. Have your helper bring the car around while you start compressions. Getting your pet to the nearest open veterinary hospital is the top priority.

Check ABC's

A: AIRWAY

Check their mouth and throat for any blockages. (ball, stick, food)
Open the mouth, grasp the tongue, and draw it forward so you can see clearly to the back of the throat. If you spot an obstruction, carefully try to dislodge it without pushing it deeper.

If your pet reacts at any point, stop and be mindful that a panicked animal may bite.

B: BREATHING

Lay head on pet's chest and feel for movement; place hand or mirror in front of nose to check for moving air. 

C: CARDIAC (HEART)

For dogs: place your hand on the inside of the mid-thigh. 
For cats: place your hand over the left side behind the front leg. 

D: DON'T WAIT!

If you can, call your emergency veterinary services as you prepare for chest compressions. Having a partner help with rotating through this process will help prevent fatigue.

For emergency assistance, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Emergency and Critical Care team is available around the clock. Reach us anytime at 540-231-4621.

Start by doing 30 chest compressions, pause to deliver 2 quick breaths, then immediately repeat both steps.

Narrow and Deep-Chested Dogs (Greyhounds, Boxers, etc.)

Lay them on their right side, pushing directly over their heart to try to squeeze it.

Round Chested Dogs (Labrador, Golden Retrievers, etc.)

Lay the dog on its right side and focus the chest compressions over the widest part of the chest. 

Wide/Flat-Chested Dogs and Squish-Face Dogs (English/French Bulldogs, Pugs, etc.)

Try to lay them on their back. Put your hands directly over the chest-bone and push on the solid piece of bone. If the pet will not lie easily on their back, lay them on their right side and follow “round-chested dog” guidelines. 

Cats and Small Dogs (Under ~10 lbs)

Focus compressions directly over the heart. To minimize the chance of squeezing too hard, compressions should be done one-handed, rather than the two-handed approach above. 

CPR Administrator Positioning

Kneel or stand behind your pet. Place your shoulders directly above your hands and keep your elbows locked.

• Bend at the waist, not at the elbows.

Put one hand on top of the other with fingers interlaced.

• Focus the force of compressions on the heel of the hand that is in contact with the chest.

Compress to varying chest widths depending on the pet.

• Med-large breeds: Push hard to compress to 1/3 of chest width.
• Dogs on their back: Press no more than 1/4 of the chest width.
• Small dogs and cats: Easy to push too hard, go no more than 1/2 width, and ideally use the single-hand method.

Aim for 100-200 compressions per minute, singing “stayin’ alive” to help keep beat!

• Limit pauses between chest compression cycles to <10 seconds. Check for a pulse, and resume if no pulse is detected.

Rescue Breaths 

1. Close the mouth.
2. Make sure your pet’s windpipe is as straight as possible. The head should be flat on the table or floor, and the tip of the nose aligned with the spine. 
3. Open your mouth, put it over both of the pet’s nostrils, make a seal, and deliver a breath. (Entire snout into mouth) 
4. Allow the pet to exhale and repeat for one more breath. Blow hard and quick, and make sure you see your pet’s chest move.