CPR for Pets

While there are many people who are certified in CPR, many pet parents are unaware of how to actually perform CPR on their pets.

It’s scary to think about, but accidents happen. Would you know what to do if your pet was in distress? Generally, there is a 20 minute window in which a pet can be resuscitated if he or she stops breathing. It’s not always possible to get to a vet in this timeframe, so knowing CPR for dogs and cats, could save your furry friend’s life in an emergency situation.

Below are the instructions from The American Red Cross on how to perform pet CPR.

How to Perform CPR on your Pet

  1. Check to see if your pet is breathing. If not, place your pet on his/her side.
  2. Administer rescue breaths. To do this, gently extend your pet’s neck, then holding his jaws closed, form a seal by placing your mouth over your pet’s nose. Blow into his nostrils every 3 seconds. Make sure that no air escapes between your mouth and his nose.
  3. Pump hard and fast. If you don’t feel a heartbeat, deliver 3 quick chest compression’s for every breath.
  4. Continue administering pet CPR until your dog or cat begins breathing again on his own.

Emergency situations are both scary and stressful, so having a plan is key to ensuring you are able to react quickly. Pet parents should identify where the closest 24-hour emergency or urgent care vet center is located, and keep the contact information in an accessible place like stored in your contacts on your mobile phone or visible on your refrigerator. Being familiar with basic pet CPR skills may help also help buy you some precious time, especially if you live far from one of these emergency services.

It is important that you only attempt CPR if your pet is in true distress as performing it on a healthy animal can be extremely hazardous. If you are interested in formal training, there are classes that you can take to learn pet CPR in a hands-on environment. Click here to find an American Red Cross class in your area.

Unfortunately, emergency situations can be expensive- emergency visits and specialists for illnesses or accidents often have a hefty bill attached. With a policy from 4Paws Insurance, these costs are off-set so that you can worry more about getting your 4-legged family members healthy, and less about the bills. Remember, pre-existing conditions are not covered, so what are you waiting for- get a quote today.