Dog CPR and Heimlich Maneuver [Videos]

In an attempt to show love for our dogs, we often bring them snacks and toys to brighten their day. So many to choose from, rawhide, pig ears, plastic chew toys, toys to tug, balls to chase, Frisbee's to retrieve and the list goes on and on. With all of these options what toys are the safest for your dog?

In this article you will discover lessons on "Dog CPR" and "Dog Heimlich Maneuver". You will also discover how to choose the safest toys and snacks for your pet, along with the reality of letting your dog play with a plain-old tennis ball. Let's get right to it, shall we?

The Safest Option For Your Dog

In finding the safest options for your pet, you have to consider the size of your sweet furry friend. Is he the nervous type that needs to stay busy or is he a strong chewer that needs tough toys. What is the age of your pet and are there any medical restrictions? Finally and most important, how long will your pet be unattended when playing with or chewing on your gifts?

We are all aware that dogs have an unusual affinity for tennis balls. We roll the ball for them, toss it and even tug on it as they tempt us with a ball lodged tightly in place behind k9 fangs, only to be released when Fluffy feels he can push us no further. The repetitious action to throw the ball, fetch the ball, throw the ball (wipe slobber off your hand), retrieve the ball, throw...well, you get the point. All for the love of our dogs.

As you read further you will find that these traditional toys may be the cause of choking and even death in our beloved beasts. The size of a tennis ball does matter! For your medium sized or large dogs a tennis ball can become a death sentence. It is just the right size to lodge in your dog's throat. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY DOGS IN THE PAST. The tennis ball's round pliable nature is the perfect device for your k9 to chomp and swallow unintentionally making for a disastrous outcome for you and your pet. My suggestion is to only give tennis balls (or balls of a similar circumference) to little dogs where the likelihood of this happening is null. Many pet specialty shops offer over sized tennis balls that are more suitable and safe for your medium or large family pet. These are the only type I offer to my medium size dog.

Dog Choking Hazards

Dog toys and treats can become choking safety hazards as well. If a toy has been broken or is the wrong size for your dog the hazard increases. Slow digesting toys (raw hide, pig ears, etc.) can become a hazard to your dogs digestive tract if too many are ingested too fast. Plastic chew toys need to be monitored for breaks or cracks as these can result in choking and should be thrown away promptly where Fido can't 'reclaim' the item later. The shredded or mangled sharp edge of plastic toys can cause rips or cuts to your dog's gums. The simple act of chewing the edge of a Frisbee can create a razor sharp plastic shank that may injure your dog during play-time (doggy safety goggles prove to be no help during Frisbee play).

A small toy is meant for a small dog

Larger dogs are subjected to choking or swallowing these smaller goodies due to the ability to destroy the small item with ease. A good rule to follow in multi-dog households is only buy toys that fit the largest dog in the home. It is unlikely that a smaller dog will destroy, choke on or swallow a large dog's toy. If you feel that your smaller friend is getting the raw end of the deal and you bring him toys to fit his tiny muzzle, be certain to secure his smaller toys somewhere so that your bigger buddy can't get to them.

Stuffed toys....um mm; simply don't buy, borrow, or acquire these for your pet, ever ! Unless your pet is under constant supervision while playing with this kind of toy, avoid giving them to him at all cost. Stuffed toys are manufactured for human children generally and are not designed to withstand the chewing and gnawing your dog will deliver. The cotton (or other material) stuffed inside is going to make your pet sick. It is a non-digestible material that could clog your dogs intestines or worst. Some pet companies make stuffed dog toys but I would avoid these as well. They do stand up to your dogs thrashing a little better, but once a seam has been breached it has to go into the trash!

Another mistake we make as caring pet owners is offering up too many rawhide and pig ear treats. From a k9 behaviorist point of view, these can be considered unsafe. The concern is that rawhide is not a digestible product and can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. A soggy piece of rawhide can cause choking or can cause a blockage to occur. The same concerns apply to pig ear snacks. These may be a bit safer for your dog, however if you give him too many of the delicacies over a short period of time, digestive and possibly larger health issues are sure to arise.

We have all seen cow hooves in the pet aisles. They come in a somewhat natural state, some have meat flavoring added and some we find have been smoked to the delight of your pet. If you do give these to your dog keep in mind that they are very, very hard and can crack teeth and cause other dental disasters. Cow hooves also have significantly off-putting odor (like that of ammonia or urine) when they have been chewed for a while. I highly recommend these be an outside treat if you decide to give them to your pet (it is suggested that you monitor your dog while chewing on these treats outside as well).

Many of us feel that natural bones are the best treat, choosing the long shin bones or knuckles to keep our dog safe. Unfortunately these too are a risky snack. Bones can splinter and be swallowed causing internal damage to Fee-fee's esophagus or digestive system. "What's left?" you ask. At this point, I would not be surprised to hear you ask, "What kind of toy is safe enough to offer my pet?" There are actually many alternatives, and one superior group of dog toys to choose from.

First, I want to make it clear that I am not affiliated with or work for Kong Dog Toys in any way, shape, or form. I gain nothing by recommending them for your pets. I really believe that Kong dog toys are the best and safest toy for your pet. They are a toy that is hollow with a hole on the bottom of its rounded cone-shaped body. They are made from a very durable material (sturdy rubber) and are made in the United States. You can choose from a variety of styles and sizes that fit your dogs size and chewing habits (aggressive or passive).

For example, a larger breed or those who need to chew and have an aggressive nature would most likely require a large Kong, which are color coded in black making them easy to identify. A small dog is usually okay with red Kong's that are smaller to match that pet's size and jaw power. For a multi-dog household (with small and large dogs) use the Kong that fits the largest and most powerful chewing dog in the house.

Kong Snack Games

You can put snacks inside the Kong which may satisfy your dogs natural instinctual need to hunt or forage for his food (it's not easy to get the snack out of these things!). You can put peanut butter inside to help keep your dog occupied in your absence. Kong toys have been said to keep your dog's mind active and causes him to feel more comfortable while we humans are out of the house. As with any dog toy, if any cracks or tears in the rubber occur, throw it out to prevent any dangerous events from occurring. Also, if you use peanut butter or other soft treats with the Kong, be certain to clean it so that mold won't grow and cause your dog to get sick.

Good luck and happy dog treat shopping! I know you and your k9 friends will be safer, healthier and happier knowing what kind of dangers to avoid in the world of dog treats and toys. Please watch the K9 emergency videos provided.Taking this extra step to learn K9 life saving techniques may save your best friend or someone else's, somewhere down the road.

These procedures are used only after you have discerned that there is something in your dogs throat and that he can not breathe. View the videos below for complete step by step directions for conducting the Doggy Heimlich and CPR on your pet. During any life saving procedures you should be in a car with someone else driving you expeditiously to your veterinarian for proper pet medical attention.

If your dog has something lodged in his throat

1. Small or medium dog - Carefully get the dog into an upside down position by taking his rear laegs into your hands and inverting him. Shake the dog trying to dislodge the item using gravity.
2. Large dog - Carefully get the dog in a 'wheelbarrow' position. While keeping his front feet on the ground or chair turn him upside down and lift his rear legs and angle him forward shaking him as much as possible to utilize gravity in dislodging the item.

When inverting your dog does not remove the item, use back blows

1. Locate your dogs shoulder blades. With the palm of your hand, strike firmly between the blades 4 or 5 times.

If these techniques do not dislodge the item and your dog continues to require life saving attention, you may need to consider the Heimlich maneuver or CPR. For accurate step by step directions on both, please view the adjoining videos for both subjects.

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