Is My Pet Choking? How to Tell and What to Do
Choking is one of the most terrifying pet emergencies because it can escalate from concerning to fatal within minutes. Airway obstruction is one of the top 5 reasons for emergency vet visits in dogs, according to veterinary emergency case data. Knowing how to tell if your pet is truly choking — versus having a cough or reverse sneeze — and what safe first-aid steps to take can buy critical time before you reach the vet.
Signs of True Choking
In Dogs
- Pawing at the mouth — the most common first sign
- Gagging or retching without producing anything
- Excessive drooling
- Panicked behaviour — pacing, wide eyes
- Blue or grey gums — oxygen deprivation (this is critical)
- Laboured or absent breathing
- Collapse — in severe cases
In Cats
- Open-mouth breathing with visible distress
- Pawing at the face
- Drooling
- Gagging sounds
- Inability to vocalize — a cat trying to meow with no sound
Choking vs. Reverse Sneezing vs. Coughing
Not every dramatic sound is choking. Here's how to tell the difference:
| Behaviour | Sounds Like | Breathing? | Emergency? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choking | Gagging, silence, high-pitched wheeze | Impaired or absent | Yes — act now |
| Reverse sneeze | Loud snorting/honking, sounds alarming | Normal between episodes | No (usually harmless) |
| Kennel cough | Honking cough, like a goose | Normal | No (see regular vet) |
| Tracheal collapse | Goose-honk cough, especially on leash | Slightly laboured | See vet soon |
| Asthma (cats) | Crouched posture, wheezing, coughing | Laboured | Urgent if persistent |
Key indicator: If your pet cannot breathe or their gums are turning blue/grey, treat it as choking regardless of the sound.
What to Do If Your Pet Is Choking
Step 1: Look Inside the Mouth
Gently open your pet's mouth and look for the obstruction. If you can see it and can safely grasp it, carefully remove it with your fingers or blunt tweezers.
Important: Do NOT blindly sweep the throat with your fingers — you risk pushing the object deeper or being bitten.
Step 2: If You Can't See or Remove the Object
For small dogs and cats:
- Hold the animal upside down by the hips (head pointing down)
- Give 4–5 firm pats between the shoulder blades
- Check the mouth again
For medium to large dogs:
- Stand behind the dog
- Place your fist just behind the ribcage (soft part of the belly)
- Give 3–5 firm upward thrusts (similar to the human Heimlich manoeuvre)
- Check the mouth after each set of thrusts
Step 3: If the Object Won't Dislodge
Get to an emergency vet immediately. Continued oxygen deprivation causes brain damage within 3–5 minutes.
On the way:
- Keep your pet as calm as possible
- Continue checking the mouth for any shift in the object
- If your pet loses consciousness and stops breathing, perform rescue breathing (close the mouth, breathe into the nostrils) while someone drives
Common Choking Hazards
Dogs
- Balls too small for their size — tennis balls are a risk for large breeds
- Rawhide chews — soften and break into slippery pieces
- Cooked bones — splinter and lodge in the throat
- Sticks — a leading cause of oral and throat injuries
- Corn cobs — the right shape to wedge in the esophagus
- Children's toys — small parts, rubber pieces
- Socks and underwear — dogs swallow fabric more often than you'd think
Cats
- String, ribbon, and tinsel — can catch on the tongue and saw through the intestines (linear foreign body)
- Hair ties — a common surgical find
- Foam earplugs — perfect choking size
- Plastic packaging — crinkly wrappers are attractive to cats
- Small toy parts
Prevention
- Choose toys appropriate for your pet's size — if it can fit entirely in their mouth, it's too small
- Avoid cooked bones and rawhide
- Supervise chewing sessions
- Keep string, ribbon, tinsel, and hair ties out of reach (especially cats)
- Learn the Heimlich technique for pets before you need it
- Bookmark PetEmergency.ca/triage for instant help
When to See the Vet After a Choking Episode
Even if you successfully clear the obstruction, see your vet within 24 hours. Choking can cause:
- Throat swelling that worsens after the initial episode
- Aspiration pneumonia from inhaled debris
- Internal injuries from the object or from first-aid manoeuvres
If your pet has any difficulty breathing after the episode, go to an emergency vet immediately.