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Emergency Dog Care
How to Perform CPR on a Dog Download Article Co-authored by Corinna Bhasin and Aly Rusciano
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved
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Giving a Dog CPR
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Caring for a Dog After CPR
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This article was co-authored by Corinna Bhasin and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Corinna Bhasin is a Dog Behavior & Training Expert, as well as the Owner of LovePup Training and Care LLC. She specializes in reward-based dog training that is customized to each dog’s personality and needs. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), approved by AKC for AKC S.T.A.R & CGC Evaluator, and trained in Fear Free Shelter Program. She also holds a Master’s Degree from Johnson and Wales University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 13 testimonials and 83% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 375,128 times.
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.
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Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Giving a Dog CPR
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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]XResearch source
2 Watch to see if the dog’s chest is rising and falling.[2]X Expert Source Corinna BhasinDog Behavior & Training ExpertExpert Interview 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.[3]XResearch source
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.[4]X Expert Source Corinna BhasinDog Behavior & Training ExpertExpert Interview 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.[5]XResearch source Count the pulses for 15 seconds and then multiply that number by 4. This is the number of heartbeats per minute.[6]XResearch source
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.[7]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe 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.[8]XResearch source
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.[9]XResearch source
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.[10]XResearch source
For smaller dogs, place your hands around the dog’s rib cage.[11]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe 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.[12]XResearch source Press the heels of your hands into the dog’s chest about 1/3 or 1/2 way down.[13]XResearch 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.”[14]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe 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.[15]XResearch source If there are 2 or more people with you, give breaths while chest compressions are being done every 6 seconds.[16]XResearch 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.[17]XResearch source
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.[18]X Trustworthy Source American Kennel ClubThe 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.
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Caring for a Dog After CPR
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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.[19]XResearch source
2 Follow the vet’s suggestions on further care. Dogs can collapse and stop breathing because of heat stroke, shock, or choking hazards.[20]XResearch 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.
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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 has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 26
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 has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 21
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 has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 14
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about keeping your dog healthy, check out our in-depth interview with Corinna Bhasin.
Co-authored by: Corinna Bhasin Dog Behavior & Training Expert This article was co-authored by Corinna Bhasin and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Corinna Bhasin is a Dog Behavior & Training Expert, as well as the Owner of LovePup Training and Care LLC. She specializes in reward-based dog training that is customized to each dog’s personality and needs. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), approved by AKC for AKC S.T.A.R & CGC Evaluator, and trained in Fear Free Shelter Program. She also holds a Master’s Degree from Johnson and Wales University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. This article has been viewed 375,128 times. 6 votes - 83% Co-authors: 14Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 375,128 Categories: Emergency Dog CareArticle SummaryX
To perform CPR on a dog, open its mouth and remove anything blocking its airway. Next, pull the dog's tongue forward and slightly tilt the head back to open the airway. Then, place your mouth over the airway and hold one hand under the lower jaw to close the mouth. Blow firmly enough into the dog's snout to lift the dog's chest wall, then release your lips to allow the air to escape. Aim for 20-30 breaths a minute, or 1 breath every 2-3 seconds. If there's no heartbeat, perform 10-12 chest compressions after each artificial breath. For tips on finding a dog's pulse, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Janice Gavron
Jul 6, 2016
"I have a doggie daycare training overnight with 24/7 care. Anyone who has dogs in their care needs to know how to help them in time of distress. Your article was extremely on point, especially with the photos. Thank you very much."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Corinna Bhasin Dog Behavior & Training Expert Co-authors: 14Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 375,12883% of readers found this article helpful. 6 votes - 83% Click a star to add your vote
Janice Gavron
Jul 6, 2016
"I have a doggie daycare training overnight with 24/7 care. Anyone who has dogs in their care needs to know how to help them in time of distress. Your article was extremely on point, especially with the photos. Thank you very much."..." more
Kristina Kostadinova
Jul 20, 2016
"I'm really happy that you wrote this article! It is really important for dog owner's to know how to help a dog in situations where that dog's life is in danger! So, thank you for this article! "..." more
Barbara Blankinship
Jul 11, 2018
"Hope to be better prepared. I have six dogs left (lost three recently) and no vet support affordable in the area. I should have read your article long ago. Thank you. Hope it helps next time."..." more
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Jul 21, 2016
"Seeing the complete procedure gave me very important information that I was totally unfamiliar with. Thank you for your help. This info needs to be made more public!"..." more
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Aug 26, 2016
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Download Article Co-authored by Corinna Bhasin and Aly Rusciano 
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Co-authored by: Corinna Bhasin Dog Behavior & Training Expert This article was co-authored by Corinna Bhasin and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Corinna Bhasin is a Dog Behavior & Training Expert, as well as the Owner of LovePup Training and Care LLC. She specializes in reward-based dog training that is customized to each dog’s personality and needs. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), approved by AKC for AKC S.T.A.R & CGC Evaluator, and trained in Fear Free Shelter Program. She also holds a Master’s Degree from Johnson and Wales University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. This article has been viewed 375,128 times. 6 votes - 83% Co-authors: 14 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 375,128 Categories: Emergency Dog Care Article SummaryX
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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] 
2 Watch to see if the dog’s chest is rising and falling.[2] 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.[3] 
3 Check for a heartbeat.[4] 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.[5] Count the pulses for 15 seconds and then multiply that number by 4. This is the number of heartbeats per minute.[6] 
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.[8] 
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.[9] 
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.[10] 
7 Give 100 to 120 compressions per minute.[12] Press the heels of your hands into the dog’s chest about 1/3 or 1/2 way down.[13] Keep a steady and quick pace of compressions for 5 minutes, making sure to release the pressure completely before each compression. 
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.[15] If there are 2 or more people with you, give breaths while chest compressions are being done every 6 seconds.[16] 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.[17] 
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.[18] 
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.[19] 
2 Follow the vet’s suggestions on further care. Dogs can collapse and stop breathing because of heat stroke, shock, or choking hazards.[20] 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. Advertisement 
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 has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. 