📣Dog Walking and Pet Sitting News
🚑Dog CPR: Do You Know How To Do It?
Imagine this terrifying moment: You’re enjoying a walk in Hylands Park when your dog suddenly collapses. One second he’s trotting happily by your side, the next he’s lying motionless on the ground. Worry turns to panic as you realise—he’s not breathing. You know you need to get help, but you’re alone, far from your car, and every second counts.
Recent studies highlight that very few dog owners actually know how to perform CPR on their pets. According to a 2023 survey by the PDSA, a UK-based veterinary charity, an estimated 75% of pet owners in the UK would not know how to perform CPR on their pet.
While a 2009 Los Angeles Times article found greater willingness—with 63% of dog owners saying they would be at least somewhat likely to attempt CPR—this doesn’t necessarily translate into having the proper training or knowledge to do it effectively.
Knowing CPR Is More Important Than You Think!
While any dog could one day need CPR, some are at a much higher risk. In these cases, knowing how to perform life-saving measures can make a huge difference in the outcome. If your dog falls into one of the groups below, it’s worth seriously considering proper CPR and first aid training:
Heart conditions → e.g., Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with mitral valve disease.
Respiratory issues → Bulldogs, Pugs, Frenchies (brachycephalics).
Heatstroke-prone breeds → larger breeds, overweight dogs, brachycephalics in summer.
Senior dogs → more likely to collapse due to health conditions.
Trauma or poisoning → any dog exposed to accidents or toxins.
Why Dog CPR Matters
While outcomes are not guaranteed, CPR can really make the differece. It can:
- Buy time until a vet can take over.
- Reduce the risk of irreversible damage, as it keeps the oxygen flowing.
- Help the dog receive care faster when the owners are trained, as they tend to panic less and act promptly.
- Double or triple survival chances, when done correctly.
How To Perform Dog CPR
While it’s best to receive proper training, knowing the important steps can help in the meantime.
Step 1: Check responsiveness, breathing and airways: call your dog and check for the rising and falling of the chest. If there is no response, no movement and the airways are not blocked, start CPR.
Step 2: Positioning: place the dog on their right side in front of you (or on back for barrel chested dogs), if not on a flat surface try to find one nearby.
Step 3: Hand placement: Medium to Large Dogs: Place both hands, interlocked, over the widest part of the chest, slightly closer to the spine than the elbow. Small Dogs: Place your hands directly over the heart, which is roughly where the elbow touches the chest when the front leg is bent.
Step 4: Compression rate & depth: 100–120/min, ⅓–½ chest depth.
Step 5: Rescue breaths: seal the mouth, then over nostrils, 2 breaths after 30 compressions.
Step 6: Continue until you can get vet help
👉 “Pet CPR is a skill every owner hopes they’ll never need, but one that can make all the difference in an emergency. Why not take a course and add this to your toolkit of responsible dog ownership? And for everyday care, exercise, and peace of mind, I’m here to make sure your dog stays happy, safe, and well-walked.”
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