Our cats are our small, fur-filled family members, and we're likely to do anything to keep them safe and healthy. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and one of the most frightening experiences for a cat owner is seeing their beloved pet choking.
In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on what to do if your cat is choking, as well as tips on how to prevent choking incidents from happening in the first place.
Knowing what to do in a choking emergency can save your cat's life. If you see your cat choking, stay calm and follow these steps:
what to do when cat is choking
Stay calm and follow these steps:
- Open mouth and check for obstruction.
- Remove object if visible and reachable.
- Perform abdominal thrusts.
- Give chest compressions.
- Start rescue breathing.
- Call veterinarian immediately.
- Keep cat calm and comfortable.
- Prevent future choking hazards.
- Be prepared for emergencies.
Remember, the key to saving your cat's life is to act quickly and decisively. If you are ever unsure of what to do, call your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately.
Open mouth and check for obstruction.
The first step in helping a choking cat is to check for an obstruction in their mouth.
- Gently open your cat's mouth.
To do this, place one hand on each side of their head and gently pry their mouth open. Be careful not to force their mouth open, as this could cause injury.
- Check for a visible object.
If you see an object lodged in your cat's throat, try to remove it using your fingers. Be careful not to push the object further down their throat. If you cannot remove the object easily, do not attempt to dig it out with your fingers, as this could cause further injury.
- Check for swelling or inflammation.
If you do not see an object, check your cat's throat for any signs of swelling or inflammation. This could be a sign of an allergic reaction or other medical condition.
- If you cannot find an obstruction, perform abdominal thrusts.
Abdominal thrusts are a first aid technique that can help to dislodge an object from your cat's throat.
Once you have checked for an obstruction, you should call your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately. Even if you are able to remove the obstruction, your cat may still need medical attention to ensure that they have not sustained any injuries.
Remove object if visible and reachable.
If you are able to see the object that is choking your cat and it is within reach, you can try to remove it using your fingers.
- Gently open your cat's mouth.
To do this, place one hand on each side of their head and gently pry their mouth open. Be careful not to force their mouth open, as this could cause injury.
- Use your fingers to grasp the object.
Be careful not to push the object further down your cat's throat. If you cannot grasp the object easily, do not attempt to dig it out with your fingers, as this could cause further injury.
- Once you have a firm grip on the object, gently pull it out of your cat's throat.
Be careful not to drop the object back down your cat's throat.
- Once you have removed the object, check your cat's mouth and throat for any injuries.
If you see any bleeding or swelling, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
If you are unable to remove the object, or if your cat is still choking, perform abdominal thrusts.
Perform abdominal thrusts.
Abdominal thrusts are a first aid technique that can help to dislodge an object from your cat's throat.
- Place your cat on their back.
Gently cradle your cat's head and neck in one hand, and place your other hand on their abdomen, just below their rib cage.
- Give five quick, upward thrusts.
Press your hand firmly into your cat's abdomen, and then quickly release the pressure. Repeat this five times.
- Check your cat's mouth.
After five abdominal thrusts, check your cat's mouth to see if the object has been dislodged. If the object is still stuck, repeat the abdominal thrusts.
- Continue performing abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or your cat starts to breathe.
If your cat starts to breathe, stop performing abdominal thrusts and take them to the veterinarian immediately.
If you are unable to dislodge the object after several attempts, or if your cat loses consciousness, start rescue breathing.
Give chest compressions.
If your cat is not breathing and you have cleared their airway, you can give them chest compressions.
- Place your cat on their back.
Lay your cat flat on their back on a firm surface, with their head and neck slightly extended.
Locate the center of your cat's chest.
Place two fingers on the center of your cat's chest, just below their nipples.
Give 30 quick, firm compressions.
Press your fingers down on your cat's chest about 1 inch, and then quickly release the pressure. Give 30 compressions in about 20 seconds.
Check for a pulse.
After 30 compressions, check for a pulse on the inside of your cat's upper leg. If you cannot find a pulse, continue giving chest compressions.
Continue giving chest compressions until your cat starts to show signs of improvement or until help from a veterinarian or animal hospital is available.
If your cat starts to vomit or if their pupils dilate, stop giving chest compressions and take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Note: Giving chest compressions to a cat can be difficult and should only be attempted if you have been trained in feline CPR. If you are not trained, it is best to focus on keeping your cat calm and still until you can get them to a veterinarian.
Start rescue breathing.
If your cat is not breathing and you have cleared their airway and given chest compressions, you can start rescue breathing.
- Gently tilt your cat's head back.
Place one hand on your cat's forehead and the other hand under their chin. Gently tilt their head back so that their nose is pointing upwards.
- Pinch your cat's nose closed.
Use your thumb and forefinger to pinch your cat's nose closed.
- Take a deep breath and cover your cat's mouth with your mouth.
Place your mouth over your cat's mouth and blow air into their lungs. Give two slow, gentle breaths.
- Check for a pulse.
After two breaths, check for a pulse on the inside of your cat's upper leg. If you cannot find a pulse, continue giving rescue breathing.
Continue giving rescue breathing until your cat starts to show signs of improvement or until help from a veterinarian or animal hospital is available.
Call veterinarian immediately.
Even if you are able to dislodge the object from your cat's throat and they start breathing again, it is important to call your veterinarian immediately.
- Your cat may have sustained injuries to their throat or lungs that you cannot see.
A veterinarian can examine your cat and make sure that they are healthy.
Your cat may need to be given antibiotics or other medications to prevent infection.
A veterinarian can prescribe the appropriate medication for your cat.
Your cat may need to be kept in the hospital for observation.
If your cat's condition is serious, they may need to be kept in the hospital for observation and treatment.
It is always best to err on the side of caution and call your veterinarian immediately if your cat has been choking.
Here are some additional tips for preventing choking incidents in cats:
- Keep small objects out of reach of your cat.
This includes toys, food, and other items that your cat could swallow.
Feed your cat a balanced diet.
A healthy diet will help to keep your cat's weight down and reduce their risk of choking.
Play with your cat regularly.
Exercise will help to keep your cat active and healthy, and it will also help to reduce their boredom and prevent them from chewing on inappropriate objects.
Take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
Your veterinarian can check your cat's teeth and gums for signs of disease, and they can also recommend ways to keep your cat's airway clear.
Keep cat calm and comfortable.
While you are waiting for help to arrive, it is important to keep your cat calm and comfortable.
- Talk to your cat in a soothing voice.
Tell them that you are there for them and that everything is going to be okay.
Pet your cat gently.
This will help to calm them down and reassure them that they are safe.
Wrap your cat in a blanket or towel.
This will help to keep them warm and comfortable.
Place your cat in a quiet, dark room.
This will help to reduce their stress and anxiety.
Do not give your cat any food or water.
- This could make their condition worse.
If your cat is vomiting, turn their head to the side to prevent them from choking on their vomit.
It is important to stay calm and focused during this time.
- Your cat will be able to sense your emotions, and if you are panicked, they will become more panicked.
By staying calm, you can help your cat to stay calm and comfortable until help arrives.
Prevent future choking hazards.
Once your cat has recovered from a choking incident, it is important to take steps to prevent future incidents from happening.
- Keep small objects out of reach of your cat.
This includes toys, food, and other items that your cat could swallow.
- Feed your cat a balanced diet.
A healthy diet will help to keep your cat's weight down and reduce their risk of choking.
- Play with your cat regularly.
Exercise will help to keep your cat active and healthy, and it will also help to reduce their boredom and prevent them from chewing on inappropriate objects.
- Take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
Your veterinarian can check your cat's teeth and gums for signs of disease, and they can also recommend ways to keep your cat's airway clear.
In addition to these general tips, there are a few specific things you can do to prevent choking hazards in your home:
- Choose cat toys that are too large for your cat to swallow.
Avoid toys with small parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.
- Feed your cat in a designated area.
This will help to prevent them from eating things that they should not.
- Keep your trash cans covered.
This will prevent your cat from getting into the trash and eating something that could choke them.
- Be aware of the plants in your home.
Some plants are poisonous to cats, and if your cat eats them, they could choke.
Be prepared for emergencies.
Even if you take all the necessary precautions, there is always a chance that your cat could choke. That's why it's important to be prepared for emergencies.
- Learn how to perform CPR and rescue breathing on your cat.
There are many resources available online and from your veterinarian that can teach you how to do this.
- Keep a pet first aid kit on hand.
This should include items such as gauze, bandages, scissors, and a CPR mask. You can purchase a pet first aid kit online or from your veterinarian.
- Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the nearest animal hospital programmed into your phone.
This way, you can easily contact them in case of an emergency.
- Practice your emergency skills regularly.
This will help you to stay calm and focused in the event of an actual emergency.
By being prepared for emergencies, you can help to save your cat's life.
FAQ
If you have any questions about what to do when your cat is choking, here are some frequently asked questions:
Question 1: What are the signs that my cat is choking?
Answer 1: The signs that your cat is choking may include:
- Coughing
- Gagging
- Difficulty breathing
- Pawing at their mouth
- Blue or purple gums
Question 2: What should I do if my cat is choking?
Answer 2: If your cat is choking, you should:
- Stay calm and call your veterinarian or the nearest animal hospital.
- Open your cat's mouth and check for an obstruction.
- If you can see the obstruction, try to remove it using your fingers.
- If you cannot remove the obstruction, perform abdominal thrusts.
- If your cat is not breathing, start rescue breathing.
Question 3: How do I perform abdominal thrusts on my cat?
Answer 3: To perform abdominal thrusts on your cat, follow these steps:
- Place your cat on their back.
- Gently cradle your cat's head and neck in one hand.
- Place your other hand on your cat's abdomen, just below their rib cage.
- Give five quick, upward thrusts.
- Check your cat's mouth to see if the object has been dislodged.
Question 4: How do I start rescue breathing on my cat?
Answer 4: To start rescue breathing on your cat, follow these steps:
- Gently tilt your cat's head back.
- Pinch your cat's nose closed.
- Take a deep breath and cover your cat's mouth with your mouth.
- Give two slow, gentle breaths.
- Check for a pulse.
Question 5: What should I do after my cat has stopped choking?
Answer 5: After your cat has stopped choking, you should:
- Keep your cat calm and comfortable.
- Take your cat to the veterinarian immediately, even if they seem to be fine.
- Prevent future choking hazards by keeping small objects out of reach of your cat and feeding them a healthy diet.
Question 6: How can I prevent my cat from choking?
Answer 6: You can prevent your cat from choking by:
- Keeping small objects out of reach of your cat.
- Feeding your cat a balanced diet.
- Playing with your cat regularly.
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please talk to your veterinarian.
In addition to the information provided in this FAQ, here are some additional tips for preventing and responding to choking incidents in cats:
Tips
In addition to the information provided in the FAQ section, here are some additional tips for preventing and responding to choking incidents in cats:
Tip 1: Keep your cat's vaccinations up to date.
Vaccinations can help to protect your cat from diseases that can lead to respiratory problems, which can increase the risk of choking.
Tip 2: Provide your cat with plenty of fresh water.
Staying hydrated helps to keep your cat's throat moist and reduces the risk of choking.
Tip 3: Avoid giving your cat bones or other hard objects to chew on.
Bones and other hard objects can splinter and become lodged in your cat's throat, causing choking.
Tip 4: Be aware of the signs of choking in cats.
If you see your cat exhibiting any of the signs of choking, act quickly to dislodge the object and provide first aid.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your cat safe and healthy.
If you have any questions or concerns about choking in cats, please talk to your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Choking is a serious emergency that can happen to any cat, regardless of their age, breed, or health status. By knowing what to do in the event of a choking incident, you can help to save your cat's life.
The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and act quickly. If you see your cat choking, follow these steps:
- Open your cat's mouth and check for an obstruction.
- If you can see the obstruction, try to remove it using your fingers.
- If you cannot remove the obstruction, perform abdominal thrusts.
- If your cat is not breathing, start rescue breathing.
- Call your veterinarian or the nearest animal hospital immediately.
In addition to knowing what to do in an emergency, you can also take steps to prevent choking incidents from happening in the first place. These steps include:
- Keeping small objects out of reach of your cat.
- Feeding your cat a balanced diet.
- Playing with your cat regularly.
- Taking your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your cat safe and healthy.
Remember, choking is a serious emergency, but it is one that you can help to prevent and respond to. By being prepared, you can help to save your cat's life.