💓 CPR for Pets: 2025 Vet First Aid Guide to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 🐶🫁

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc 🩺

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving technique used when a pet's heart or breathing stops. Fast, skilled CPR can maintain oxygen and circulation to the brain and vital organs long enough to reach emergency veterinary care. While CPR doesn't always work, it can give your pet a fighting chance. Here's how to do it correctly in 2025. 🐾🆘

🧠 What Is CPR?

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It has two critical components:

• 🫁 Rescue breathing: to provide oxygen to the lungs
• 💓 Chest compressions: to circulate oxygenated blood

If a pet’s heart has stopped (cardiac arrest) or they aren’t breathing (respiratory arrest), CPR must begin immediately.

📉 CPR Success Rates

Veterinary studies show that even with CPR, survival is low. A UC Davis study found only 2.3% of cats who received CPR survived to hospital discharge. But rapid, skilled CPR offers the best possible chance—especially if started within minutes. ⏱️

🔍 How to Recognize Cardiopulmonary Arrest

• 😴 Unconscious and unresponsive
• 💨 Not breathing or shallow gasps
• ❤️ No pulse or heartbeat

🆘 If in doubt, start CPR immediately—delaying can cost precious seconds.

📦 Step-by-Step Pet CPR Instructions

Step 1: 🧠 Confirm Unconsciousness

• Gently touch or speak to your pet
• Tap or pinch the paw—do not begin CPR on a pet who is just deeply asleep

Step 2: 🦷 Open the Airway

• Extend the neck and gently pull the tongue forward
• Check the mouth for vomit or obstructions
• Carefully sweep out any foreign material

Step 3: 🫁 Rescue Breathing

• Cover the pet’s nose with your mouth (for cats/small dogs, seal lips too)
• Blow into the nose until you see the chest rise
• Let the chest fall naturally before the next breath
• Give 3–5 full breaths to start

💡 Continue at a rate of 10 breaths per minute if no spontaneous breathing resumes.

Step 4: 💓 Chest Compressions

For Small Dogs or Cats:

• Wrap hands around the chest and compress from both sides (squeeze)
• 💯 Perform 100–120 compressions per minute

For Medium to Large Dogs:

• Lay dog on side or back (for barrel-chested breeds like bulldogs)
• Place hands over the widest part of the chest
• Compress 1/3 to 1/2 of the chest width
• 💯 100–120 compressions per minute

Step 5: 🔄 Coordinate with Rescue Breaths

• 🎯 30 chest compressions : 2 rescue breaths
• ⚙️ Repeat this cycle continuously

If there are two rescuers, one can breathe while the other compresses. If you're alone, prioritize compressions. 🧠

📍 When to Stop CPR

Continue CPR until:

• 😓 You become too exhausted to continue
• 🚑 You reach a veterinary hospital and professionals take over
• ❤️ You detect a steady heartbeat or spontaneous breathing returns

🏥 What to Do After CPR

Even if your pet revives, they’ll need immediate veterinary care for:

• 🩺 Oxygen support
• 📊 Monitoring of brain, heart, and lung function
• 🔍 Determination of the underlying cause

💼 First Aid Kit Essentials for CPR

• 🧤 Gloves and clean cloths
• 🩹 Muzzle (avoid if not breathing)
• 📞 Emergency vet numbers
• 🧷 Pet CPR instruction card

📲 Need CPR Help Now? Ask A Vet 24/7

If you need urgent guidance during a breathing or CPR emergency, use the Ask A Vet app:

• 💬 Chat with licensed veterinarians 24/7
• 📹 Share video of the situation for expert review
• 📋 Get CPR coaching while you help your pet

Visit AskAVet.com or download the app now. Pet CPR knowledge saves lives—learn it, practice it, and be ready to act. 🐶💓🆘