what do you do if your dog starts choking?

As Julie and others have said, I always just stick my hand in their mouth/throat and pull it out. It is important to keep a close eye when they are chewing on things to make sure they don't get off pieces and swallow things they shouldn't or don't chew it to such a small piece that it gets lodge in the throat.

Deedee's answer (about being prepared and asking your vet) is great, but if your dog is choking on something you can see and grasp, that is not a sharp object, you may be able to dislodge it. Wiggles has tried to swallow bigger portions of pig ears and Flossies than he was capable of swallowing and I've had to reach in and pull out the slippery mass, so ALWAYS be on hand when your dog is eating something it can choke on OR playing with something it can choke on. Serious chewing on a toy is a sign that your dog may try to eat any parts that start to come off (rubber, plastic, cloth, metal, etc.). I've found it to be easier and safer to have a replacement toy handy and simply remove the toy that's being chewed to the point of maybe swallowing or choking on a part. Hope this helps!

If you can see it when you look down his throat use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to get it out but be carefull because there is a chance you can damage his throat if you just jerk it out. I had a cat that got a chicken bone stuck in his throat. for him i used tweezers. if their just choking on a piece of food you can try rubbing the throat in a downward motion. if none of that works get him to a vet, but dont mistake choking with air bubbles.(in other words too much gas in the bellie)

I guess it depends on what he is choking on. Dee has the best answer. Be prepared beforehand. Max has a vet appointment Monday. (just updating the shots) I'm going to ask them how to handle a choking situation.


When I was really little (about 8) our dog Coco was choking on a bone. I carefully pulled out the bone and yelled at everyone in my family. The bone was in the garbage out side, put there after dinner. That moment has been etched in my mind as if it happened yesterday.

I was watching a show on animal planet and they were telling people what to do if there pet started choking. For dogs you are supposed to hold them upside down and do the hymlick manuever.