Buying a puppy is a wonderful experience! But don't get lost in the euphoria--you must look out for your puppy's safety.
Chocking can affect any dog, especially puppies, since they like to gulp their food and chew on any item they find. Chewing and mouthing is a way for puppies to explore their world but it can also expose them to choking hazards. Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect your dog from choking troubles:
Choking Cause
A puppy can choke on objects like chicken bones, golf balls, and even toys like rawhide bones. Sometimes they choke because they try to gobble their food too quickly, and sometimes they choke from chewing or eating something dangerous. Try to train your puppy to eat slowly, maybe with a slow-dispensing food dish, and keep them away from choking hazards like sharp chicken bones or small toys.
Signs of Choking
When a dog chokes on something, the situation requires immediate action.
Signs of choking include:
- Panicked expression
- Pacing backward
- Coughing
- Pawing at the mouth
In that situation, allow your puppy to cough up or vomit the item stuck in its throat. If you find that it cannot breathe and has a wheezing problem, it is time to intervene and give your puppy medical help.
Take Action Quickly
Take quick action to help your puppy when it has choked on something. You must be aware that your dog might bite you because of stress. Therefore, grip your puppy with caution.
Use both hands to open the dog's mouth and pull out its tongue by putting your fingers inside it. You may need to use a spoon to remove the object.
Heimlich Maneuver
The Heimlich maneuver can dislodge the object if you cannot get it out with your hands. You need to access professional medical help for this maneuver technique. This process can save the life of your dog.
You must stand behind your dog and put your arm around its neck. Use the hand cupping technique to remove the object. After this process, the Heimlich maneuver forces air from the lungs to the esophagus and expels the foreign object.
If your puppy goes unconscious during this process, take it to a vet immediately.
Keep an eye on your dog to ensure that it is breathing correctly. Follow the guidance given by the veterinary doctor. Choking is serious trouble and life-threatening. Prevent the problem by monitoring your dog and watching what they eat, chew, and play with.
Remember that the key to preventing a puppy from choking is removing choking hazards and giving your puppy safe chew toys. If you want to learn more about safety for your puppy, read our blog post on what every puppy owner should be doing.
You can also read our post on 11 things to do when you bring home a puppy to keep them healthy and well-trained.
We wish you and your puppy the best!
