Three Minutes That Can Determine Everything
Brain damage in dogs and cats begins within three to four minutes of cardiac arrest. By the time an ambulance or emergency vet is reached, that window may already have passed. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation — CPR — is the only tool an owner has in those critical first minutes, and knowing how to perform it correctly can be the difference between survival and loss. It is not a skill you should learn the moment it is needed.
When to Attempt CPR
CPR is appropriate only when an animal is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Before beginning, confirm two things: the animal does not respond to a firm tap on the shoulder and calling its name, and it has no visible chest movement or only gasping, irregular breaths. Do not attempt CPR on a conscious or semi-conscious animal — you risk injury to yourself and to the pet.
Check for a heartbeat by placing your fingers in the groove on the inside of the upper thigh, where the femoral artery runs. In cats and small dogs, you can cup your hand around the chest just behind the front legs. If you cannot detect a pulse within ten seconds, begin CPR immediately.
It is also important to be realistic. CPR in animals, even when performed correctly, has a survival rate of approximately 6% in cats and dogs undergoing cardiac arrest in a hospital setting with trained staff. Outside that setting, survival rates are lower. This does not mean you should not try — any chance is worth taking — but it is a reason to focus on prevention and to get a vet on the phone while you perform compressions.
Positioning the Animal
Place the animal on its right side on a firm, flat surface. The right side is preferred because the heart sits slightly to the left of centre; compressions from the left side of the chest are more effective. Ensure the airway is clear by gently extending the head and neck and opening the mouth to check for obvious obstructions. Remove any visible debris with your fingers, but do not perform a blind finger sweep.
The Basic Technique
Chest Compressions
For medium and large dogs, place the heel of one hand over the widest part of the chest — roughly where the elbow meets the chest when the foreleg is drawn back — and place the other hand on top. Keep your elbows straight and compress downward by one third to one half of the chest width. Perform 30 compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. Allow full chest recoil between each compression — this is essential for effective blood movement.
For barrel-chested breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs, position the dog on its back and compress the sternum directly, as you would for human CPR. For small dogs and cats, encircle the chest with both hands and compress with the thumbs over the sternum. For very small animals, two fingers on the chest are sufficient.
Rescue Breaths
After every 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. Close the animal's mouth firmly, form a seal over the nose, and exhale gently until you see the chest rise. Use significantly less breath than you would for a human — particularly for cats and small dogs, where over-inflating the lungs causes damage. If a second person is present, one person should perform compressions while the other gives breaths without stopping compressions.
If you are alone and uncomfortable with mouth-to-nose contact, continuous chest compressions without rescue breaths are still worthwhile and significantly better than doing nothing.
Cycle and Duration
Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths, pausing every two minutes to recheck for a pulse and spontaneous breathing. CPR is physically demanding — if someone else is available, swap roles every two minutes to maintain compression quality. Continue until the animal shows signs of recovery, a vet takes over, or you have performed CPR for at least twenty minutes without any response.
After Successful Resuscitation
If the animal begins breathing spontaneously and a heartbeat returns, place it in the recovery position — lying on its right side with the head extended — and transport it to an emergency vet immediately. An animal that has suffered cardiac arrest requires urgent investigation to determine and treat the underlying cause. Survival of the initial event is only the first step.
Practical Summary and Preparation
- Confirm unresponsiveness and absence of normal breathing before starting CPR
- Place the animal on its right side on a firm surface and check the airway
- Compress the chest at 100 to 120 beats per minute, one third to one half depth
- Give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions
- Recheck for pulse and breathing every two minutes
- Call an emergency vet the moment you begin — keep them on the line if possible
- Consider taking a hands-on pet first aid course to practise the technique on a manikin before you ever need it
CPR is a skill that degrades without practice. A pet first aid course run by a qualified instructor is worth far more than any written guide — including this one. Speak to your vet about courses available in your area.