how to help a chocking cat

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If they are choking due to a cord, string or other item being wrapped around the neck, carefully use a pair of scissors to cut it off. If your cat is choking on an object lodged in their mouth or throat, open the mouth to see if you can find the object. If you’re able to see it, try swiping it away with your finger.

Can I Prevent My Cat From Choking?

One important strategy to keep your pet safe is to remove any potential choking hazards for cats. Think like a cat and go through your house: What’s small, shiny, and easily swallowed? Common choking hazards include:

  • Craft supplies like pom-poms and pipe cleaners
  • Rubber bands
  • Paper clips and staples
  • Plastic bags and cellophane
  • Bottle caps and wine corks
  • Straws
  • Aluminum foil

When you’re not home, curious cats will go exploring, so keep your belongings in a place that is pet-proof. Never allow your cat to play with trash, such as plastic bags or wadded aluminum foil. Even though they might enjoy themselves, it only takes a moment for those objects to get lodged in their throats.

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Some cat toys can be dangerous as well. Steer clear of toys with hanging decorations like googly eyes, feathers, or bells. Choose bigger toys for your cat, such as balls, play mice, or crumpled pieces of paper that are bigger than their mouths. The well-liked fishing pole-style toys are great for supervised playtime between the two of you; just make sure to tuck them away when your cat is out of sight.

Although it’s common to see adorable kittens playing with balls of yarn, playing with any kind of string or ribbon poses a choking hazard for your cat. According to Animal Planet, if your cat has a string protruding from their mouth (rectum), do not attempt to remove it. You could damage their throat or intestines. Consider it an emergency and get in touch with your vet right away if you think your cat may have swallowed a string.

What Can I Do?

A hairball that a cat can’t get rid of occasionally causes a choking incident, but more frequently, food, a hair tie, or a plastic toy gets stuck in the throat of the cat. Try not to panic if you witness your cat choking while you check to see if their airway is actually blocked. If it’s just a hairball, they can remove it quickly. In the event that there is an obstruction, you must take these two actions.

  • Mouth sweep: To see if you can get rid of the obstruction, first gently open your cat’s jaws and sweep their mouth with your index finger. According to Cat-World Australia, gently pull their tongue forward to check the back of their throat and look inside their mouth while looking for anything to prevent pushing anything farther down their throat. Proceed to the Heimlich maneuver if you are unable to perform a safe sweep or if you cannot see anything in their mouth.
  • Cat Heimlich: You hold your cat with their back against your chest and their feet hanging down when you perform a cat Heimlich maneuver. Gently but firmly press on their belly with your hands five times in a row, making quick, upward thrusts. PetCoach advises holding your cat up by their back hips with their head down and gently sweeping their mouth again if your first round of blows is ineffective at moving the object. Check their mouth once again after giving them a firm tap on the back. Once the obstruction has been removed, take your cat right away to the closest emergency veterinarian clinic.

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FAQ

How do you help a cat that is suffocating?

Hold your pet’s back against your stomach (paws down, head up). Using one hand, look for the soft hollow under the ribs (your closed fist should fit this spot). Use the hand on your pet’s stomach to pull up and in 2 to 3 times toward your own stomach, using a sharp thrusting motion.

How do you tell if a cat has something stuck in its throat?

They may paw at their mouth or drool excessively, which can be a sign of an obstruction in the throat. Other signs of choking include difficulty breathing, passing out, and vomiting. If you see any of these symptoms in your cat, immediately remove whatever is stuck in its throat–even if it’s not a toy or food!

Is my cat choking or coughing up a hairball?

Coughing is often mistaken for choking. Cats may cough if they have hairballs, asthma, or heartworm disease. If your cat is coughing, you should have it checked out by your veterinarian. Choking, on the other hand, is a dire situation for which you should seek immediate veterinary care.