As a pet parent, one of the mostfrightening things is to see your cat or dog in distress. If your cat isshowing signs of choking on a foreign object, here are things you need to knowand how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver. It is important to stay calm, so youcan best help your pet when precious seconds count.

Signs That Your Cat Is Choking

If your cat is choking, they will show thefollowing symptoms:

·       Gagging, retching, and heaving (open mouth, no noise)

·       Coughing (especially as they exhale)

·       Raspy sounds as they inhale

·       Drooling

·       Frantic or in distress

o   May paw attheir face, rub their face on the ground, and seem panicked

·       Stretching the neck outward

·       Staggering

·       Blue gums

·       Collapse

What to Do if Your Cat Is Choking

First, confirm they are choking by taking amoment to gather your composure while staying calm.

Next, safely restrain your pet so you canevaluate and assist them. Remember, your pet is very scared and may reactdifferently than usual, so approach with caution.

If you can safely do so, open their mouthto see if there is anything is stuck or causing an obstruction. You may try topull the tongue forward to get a better view of the back of the throat. If youcan visualize the object that is causing them to choke and can safely do so,sweep your index finger through the mouth to attempt to dislodge anything thatmay be stuck.

Donot poke your finger down or attempt to push anything down their throat, asthis could cause injury.

If you are unable to visualize anything inthe mouth or cannot safely sweep the mouth with your index finger, move on tothe Heimlich Maneuver.

How to Perform the Heimlich Maneuver In Cats

·       Start by holding your cat against your chest so their back istouching your chest (keeping them upright, with their head up and legs danglingfreely).

·       Use your hands to press on their stomach in a series of 3-5,quick, upward thrusts

·       You should feel a soft hollow under the ribs where your fistfits

·       Depending on the size of your cat, you will use your fist (largecat) or fingertips (small cat) to move in quick “up” and “in” motions towardtheir head

·       Use your finger to gently sweep the mouth again (if able to doso safely)

·       If the object in their mouth did not come out, hold your cat bytheir hips with their head dangling toward the ground, and firmly pat them ontheir back with an open palm

·       Check the mouth again by performing a sweep with your finger

·       Once the object is dislodged, your cat should start to breathemore normally than before, and their gums should return to a “pinkish” color

Ifthe above steps are not working, immediately go to your nearest veterinarian oremergency veterinary hospital.

What To Do After You Stopped Cat From Choking

Once your cat has stopped choking and seemsto be back to their “normal self”, it is important to have them evaluated bytheir veterinarian or emergency veterinarian right away. They need to make surethere are no injuries from the object that caused them to choke, or from thepressure of the Heimlich Maneuver.

How To Prevent Choking in Cats

Make sure to cat-proof your home and try toprevent access to items that your cat may view as fun to chew or play with.

Common things that cats may choke oninclude:

·       Arts & Crafts supplies (pipe cleaners, pom poms, googlyeyes, cotton balls, yarn, buttons)

·       Office supplies (paper clips, staples, rubber bands, thumbtacks)

·       Kitchen supplies (straws, foil, plastic bags, cellophane, bottlecaps, wine corks)

·       Toys (with strings, feathers, bells, or other small pieces thatmay detach)

·       Coins

If you have a cat that eats quickly anddoesn’t chew their food before swallowing, it may be helpful to feed smaller,more frequent meals or use a slowfeeder to help minimize the possibility of choking.