How to Perform CPR on a Dog

Co-authored by Corinna Bhasin and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: March 10, 2023 References Approved

Seeing an unresponsive or collapsed dog can be alarming, but you can perform a life-saving act with CPR. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can restart a dog’s heart and instigate breathing. Performing CPR on a dog may seem scary, but it’s easier than you might think. In this article, we’ll teach you how to use chest compressions and rescue breaths to save a dog’s life. Take a deep breath and believe in yourself—you can successfully give a dog CPR.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Giving a Dog CPR

1
Attempt to stimulate the dog by gently shaking it or calling its name. Before performing CPR, make sure the dog is unresponsive. Try to wake it up by gently shaking it or saying it's name. Only give CPR if the dog is not responding.^{[1]
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2
Watch to see if the dog’s chest is rising and falling. If it’s not, check the airway for blockages. Open the dog’s mouth, pull the tongue towards you, and look in the back of the throat. If you see something, carefully try to remove it with your fingers.^{[2]
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- If the dog reacts while you try to remove a foreign object, stop and remove your hand from it's mouth.
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3
Check for a heartbeat. Place 2 fingers on the inside of either of the dog's thighs where the leg and body meet or under the left armpit. You may have to lift the dog’s leg.^{[3]
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Research source} Count the pulses for 15 seconds and then multiply that number by 4. This is the number of heartbeats per minute.^{[4]
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- Small and medium-sized dogs should have a pulse of 70 to 140 beats per minute.
- Large dogs should have a pulse of 50 to 120 beats per minute.
- Only perform CPR if you can’t feel or hear a dog’s heartbeat and it's not breathing.^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
4
Call for help if the dog isn’t responsive. Yell out to a friend, family member, or stranger (if you’re in a public place). Ask them to contact a vet or animal hospital because your dog isn’t breathing. If no one’s around, quickly dial the number yourself and put the phone on speaker while you start CPR.^{[6]
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5
Lay the dog on its side to prepare for CPR. It doesn’t matter which side, as long as the dog is on a flat surface with its legs stretched out.^{[7]
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6
Position yourself behind the dog with your hands on its chest. Kneel or stand behind the dog with your knees against its back. Interlock your fingers over the chest, putting the most pressure against the heel of your hand. Angle your shoulders above your hands, and keep your elbows locked. You may need to lean forward slightly to achieve this.^{[8]
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- For smaller dogs, place your hands around the dog’s rib cage.^{[9]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
- For larger dogs, place the heel of your interlocked hands on the widest part of the dog’s rib cage.
7
Give 100 to 120 compressions per minute.^{[10]
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Research source} Press the heels of your hands into the dog’s chest about 1/3 or 1/2 way down.^{[11]
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Research source} Keep a steady and quick pace of compressions for 5 minutes, making sure to release the pressure completely before each compression.
- For smaller dogs, use your thumb and fingers to press the chest 1/3 of the way down.
- For larger dogs, press the chest 1/4 of the way down.
- To stay in rhythm, sing the song “Staying Alive” and press down on each “ah.”^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Kennel Club
  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  Go to source}
8
Integrate rescue breaths every 30 compressions or 6 seconds. If you’re performing CPR on a dog by yourself, give 2 rescue breaths after 30 compressions.^{[13]
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Research source} If there are 2 or more people with you, give breaths while chest compressions are being done every 6 seconds.^{[14]
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Research source} Cup your hands over the dog’s snout, closing its mouth, and blow into its nose. Make sure your mouth seals over the dog's nostrils.^{[15]
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- After 2 minutes of working with a partner, switch roles so the person giving breaths is now doing compressions.
- Check for a pulse after 2 rescue breaths if you’re by yourself or when you switch roles with a partner.
9
Continue CPR if the dog is still unresponsive after 5 minutes. Check for a heartbeat and signs of breathing after your first cycle. If there’s still no response, start another cycle of compressions.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
- Up to 3 cycles can be done to revitalize a dog, and after that, there’s nothing more that can be done—but know that you did everything you could.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Caring for a Dog After CPR

1
Seek emergency care after giving chest compressions. Always bring a dog to a vet clinic or hospital after performing CPR. The strong compressions saved the dog’s life, but they can leave behind broken ribs and stress. But don’t worry! Veterinarians will be able to monitor the dog’s behavior and make sure everything’s as good as new.^{[17]
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2
Follow the vet’s suggestions on further care. Dogs can collapse and stop breathing because of heat stroke, shock, or choking hazards.^{[18]
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Research source} Because of this, it’s important to listen and follow through with the veterinarian’s instructions to make sure the dog doesn’t need CPR again.
3
Have a plan set in place for the future. Whether you’re reading this article because you need to give a dog CPR or want to learn something new, it’s always important to have an emergency plan just in case. Put your vet or animal hospital’s number in your phone and know that you now know how to give life-saving resuscitation.

Expert Q&A

Question

What is the quickest way to perform CPR on a dog?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Speed is all about practice and more practice. Specialist hospitals that have the highest success rates resuscitating patients have regular drills and practice sessions so that each staff member knows exactly what to do and it comes as second nature. In home situation, this means following the advice in this article and practicing on a soft toy, so that the number of breaths to chest compressions comes as second nature.
Question

For an English bull terrier do you have any advice?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

The shape of the English bull terrier's skull means it's most effective to give mouth-to-nose resuscitation. Place your hands over the dog's lips whilst supporting the head, and place your mouth over the dog's nose and blow. This should be an effective way of supporting their respiration.
Question

Is it ethical for a vet clinic to charge an addition fee for CPR on a patient that is under their care?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This is a difficult question to answer, but be aware that consumable costs are incurred with CPR. For example, extra intravenous catheters may need to be placed, and drugs used to stimulate the heart or control an irregular heartbeat used. In addition, special monitoring equipment may be required in intensive care to monitor for a repeat cardiac arrest. In the same way that it's fair to pay for antibiotics when a pet has an infection, it seems appropriate to cover the cost of drugs and expertise used to resuscitate a patient.