7 Signs Your Dog is Choking

As a pet owner, it’s important for you to stay informed of potential risks and hazards in the life of your furry family members. Unfortunately, one of the more common risks you should keep in mind for your dog is choking. Many pets are prone to eating or swallowing items they shouldn’t, which can sometimes lead to choking in certain situations.

In this article, we’ll show you some of the signs you should look out for when you think your dog might be choking. If you do think this is the case, don’t wait—contact your nearest EVCC location right away.

Mild Symptoms of Choking in Dogs

Some mild symptoms of choking in dogs include:

Hacking and Coughing

The first noticeable symptom of choking in dogs is coughing or hacking, just like it is in humans. Many times, if a dog isn’t too badly choked, they will be able to cough up whatever is lodged in their throat without much trouble. They may pace while they are coughing, especially if they are frightened or feels distressed about the blockage of their airways. If they cough up the item, they will likely stop pacing and go back to their usual behavior fairly quickly.

Spitting Up or Vomiting

If your dog spits up when they are choking, this is a good thing; it usually means they have coughed up whatever was stuck in their throat, or that they are about to do so. Vomiting may also cause the item to become dislodged and be thrown up with the vomit. Check the vomit or spit-up closely to see if the item has been expelled from your dog’s throat.

If it hasn’t but they are still spitting up or vomiting, this may quickly become a more serious problem.

Moderate Symptoms of Dog Choking

Some moderate symptoms of dog choking are:

Rubbing at the Face

When your dog is choking, they are aware that something is wrong with their mouth or throat. Because of this, they may become more prone to rubbing at their face or snout in an attempt to remove the offending item. This likely won’t help very much, but it is a common symptom that means your dog is in distress and is having trouble getting rid of something that is stuck in their throat.

Wheezing

Wheezing goes along with coughing and hacking, but it is a more serious symptom that means your dog isn’t getting the right kind of breath. If you can hear their breathing or if you see their sides moving quickly in an extended effort to breathe, this may mean they have something stuck in their throat that needs to be removed immediately.

Inability to Breathe Deeply

If your dog is not able to take a deep breath, there may be something blocking their airways. You may see them struggling to breathe, or you may notice that they are only capable of taking short, shallow breaths instead.

What’s important here is to note whether or not your dog is breathing at all; if they are not, then this is an emergency and they need to be taken to your nearest EVCC location immediately.

Severe Symptoms of Choking in Dogs

Below are some severe symptoms of choking in dogs:

Loss of Consciousness

When your dog is unable to breathe, they will quickly lose consciousness and collapse. If this happens, you don’t have much time at all to react. You will need to take them to your nearest EVCC location immediately, and if you can see the item stuck in their throat, you’ll need to reach in and attempt to dislodge it yourself with your fingers. If you can’t see the item, do not do this.

White or Blue Gums

Gums that are white or blue are not getting enough oxygen, and this is a sure sign that your dog is choking and the situation has become serious. If you see your dog’s gums changing color, take them to your nearest EVCC location right away.

Your dog may collapse along with this symptom, or they may remain conscious; either way, they need to be seen by a vet to remove the blockage from their airways before it does long-term damage.

What to Do If You Think Your Dog is Choking

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, contact the nearest emergency animal hospital. You will be able to tell if your dog is in distress, and if they are, be sure to bring them in without hesitation. The sooner you respond to the situation and get your dog medical attention, the more likely they will be to recover.

At Emergency Veterinary Care Centers, our team of compassionate emergency vets are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so we can always help your pet when they need us most. Choking can be very serious in dogs, and can be a scary situation to go through for both you and your pet. We understand how important your dog is to you, and their wellbeing is just as important to us.

If your dog is choking, don't hesitate to bring your pet in to us. Find your nearest Emergency Veterinary Care Center for any additional help or advice. We're here for you and your pet, no matter the time of day.