🏥 The Bark-Byte – Pet First-Aid 101: Vol. 5 CPR for Cats & Dogs: What Every Pet Parent Should Know

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Table of Contents

• 🐾 Episode Intro: Emergency CPR for Pets

• 🚨 When to Perform CPR on a Pet

• 🧠 The ABCs of Pet CPR

• 🐶 CPR for Dogs

• 🐱 CPR for Cats

  • 🕑 When to Stop CPR

• 💡 Tele-Vet Tips

• 🔑 Key Takeaways:

• A word from our Sponsor ⭐️

• 🦴 Daily Bite 🦴

🐾 Episode Intro: Emergency CPR for Pets

Because 60 seconds of knowledge can mean a second chance.

We hope you never need to use pet CPR—but if you do, knowing the basics can mean the difference between life and loss.

In this final episode of the series, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals of CPR for cats and dogs, how to prepare, and what to do if your pet suddenly collapses or stops breathing. Let’s give you the confidence to act when seconds matter.

🚨 When to Perform CPR on a Pet

CPR should only be used if:

• Your pet is unconscious

• Not breathing

• No detectable heartbeat

⚠️ DO NOT perform CPR if your pet is still conscious, breathing, or has a pulse—it can cause harm.

🧠 The ABCs of Pet CPR

• A = Airway – Check and clear the airway

• B = Breathing – Look, listen, and feel

• C = Circulation – Check for a heartbeat (inner thigh, chest)

🐶 CPR for Dogs

1. Step 1: Check responsiveness

   Call their name, gently shake, look for breathing/movement.

   Step 2: Check airway

   Open the mouth, pull tongue forward, remove obstruction if visible.

   Step 3: Rescue Breaths

   • Close the mouth

   • Extend the neck

   • Blow into the nose until chest rises

   • 1 breath every 3–5 seconds

   Step 4: Chest Compressions

   • Medium/Large Dogs: Compress widest part of chest

   • Small Dogs: Compress over the heart

   Compression Rate:

    • 100–120 compressions per minute

   • 30 compressions + 2 breaths

   • Repeat for 2 minutes, then reassess

🐱 CPR for Cats

Step 1: Check responsiveness

Gently call your cat’s name and tap their side. Look for signs of breathing or movement.

Step 2: Check airway

Open the cat’s mouth carefully, pull the tongue forward, and look for any visible obstructions.

Step 3: Rescue Breaths

• Hold the mouth closed gently

• Extend the neck slightly

• Place your mouth over both the nose and mouth (cats are small!)

• Blow gently—just enough to see the chest rise

• One breath every 3–5 seconds

Step 4: Chest Compressions

• For small cats: Use one hand to encircle the chest with your thumb on one side and fingers on the other

• For larger cats: Use both hands and compress over the heart (just behind the elbow)

Compression Rate:

• Compress chest about 1/3 to 1/2 of its depth

• Maintain a rhythm of 100–120 compressions per minute

• Combine 30 compressions with 2 rescue breaths

• Continue for 2 minutes, then reassess for breathing or heartbeat

🕑 When to Stop CPR

• If your pet begins breathing or regains a heartbeat

• If 10–15 minutes have passed with no response and you’re unable to get to a vet

• If a vet professional takes over

💡 Tele-Vet Tips

While CPR should be done in-person, you can still consult a Tele-Vet expert to review your CPR plan, emergency response strategy, and first-aid setup before a crisis happens.

👉 Talk to a vet

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Only use CPR if your pet is unconscious, not breathing, and has no pulse
✔️ Learn the steps for both dogs and cats—positioning and pressure matter
✔️ Practice beforehand with a stuffed animal
✔️ Call your vet or nearest emergency clinic as soon as possible
✔️ Don’t be afraid to try—doing something is better than doing nothing

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🦴 Daily Bite 🦴

Thanks For Reading, and Have A Great Week!