CPR for Dogs and Cats: Calm, Confident, Life-Saving Action

Chosen theme: CPR for Dogs and Cats. Learn clear, compassionate steps to recognize cardiac arrest, deliver effective compressions and breaths, and keep hope alive until veterinary help takes over. Subscribe for printable checklists and join pet lovers committed to preparedness.

Set the Stage: Safety, Positioning, and ABCs

Move hazards away, lay the pet on a firm surface, and position dogs and cats on their right side unless barrel-chested, where back positioning may help. Keep the head and neck aligned, and make space to kneel at the chest level for consistent compressions.

Rescue Breathing: Mouth-to-Snout Technique

Close the mouth, seal your lips around the nostrils, and give two slow breaths to start, watching for gentle chest rise. During ongoing CPR, provide two breaths after every thirty compressions, or about ten breaths per minute if a helper can maintain a steady rhythm.

Rescue Breathing: Mouth-to-Snout Technique

For tiny dogs and cats, use smaller breaths—just enough to see the chest rise. For flat-faced breeds, ensure a tight seal over the nose and keep the mouth firmly closed. Reposition the head or re-clear the airway if the chest does not rise consistently.

Rescue Breathing: Mouth-to-Snout Technique

A visible chest rise, improved gum color, and a more regular chest recoil suggest effective breaths. If resistance increases, reassess the airway for fluid or blockage. Share your questions about ventilation in the comments so we can create tailored practice drills.

Rescue Breathing: Mouth-to-Snout Technique

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Chest Compressions That Count

For most dogs, compress over the widest part of the chest. For keel-chested breeds, target directly over the heart. For barrel-chested dogs, consider the pet on its back with hands over the sternum. For cats and small dogs, use one-handed encircling compressions.

CPR Cycles, Decisions, and When to Move

Perform thirty compressions and two breaths repeatedly for two minutes, then reassess for breathing and pulse quickly. If available, monitor end-tidal CO2 or note any spontaneous movement. Resume immediately if there is no clear return of circulation.

Aftercare, Training, and Prevention

If your pet revives, keep them warm and quiet, monitor breathing, and head to the vet immediately. Complications are common after arrest. Ask about oxygen, blood tests, and cardiac monitoring. Share your experience to help others learn what recovery really looks like.

Aftercare, Training, and Prevention

Schedule quarterly CPR drills with friends, stuffed toys, and a metronome set to 110 beats per minute. Record your timing, refine your hand placement, and rehearse phone calls. Subscribe for our printable scenarios and join live Q&A sessions to strengthen your skills.