11 Must Know Emergency Dog First Aid Procedures

You buy high-quality dog food, keep up with regular veterinary visits, and vaccinate your pup against infectious diseases. You do everything you can think of to keep your furry BFF safe and healthy, but do you know how to perform dog first aid? Are you prepared to act if your pet stops breathing or goes into shock?

The following first aid tips could help you save your dog’s life should you face one of these eleven common emergencies.

1. Wounds

While most wounds are not life-threatening, it’s important to know how to stop bleeding and apply a pressure wrap. A well-stocked dog first aid kit should contain gauze and non-adhesive wraps to apply pressure and protect the wound. Including a wound care gel or ointment can also be beneficial. Many owners also keep a muzzle in their kit since even the friendliest dogs may bite when they are in pain.

To help control bleeding, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says to:

• Press a clean, thick gauze pad over the wound and apply pressure with your hand until the blood starts clotting (this will take a minimum of 3 minutes for larger wounds).
• For severe bleeding on the extremities, apply a tourniquet using the gauze and adhesive wrap from your first aid kit.
• Since pressure wraps minimize circulation, loosen the tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes.
• Seek veterinary attention immediately.

If a wound is severe enough or caused by a stressful event such as an animal attack or car accident, shock is a real and very serious possibility.

For minor wounds and abrasions that can be treated at home, treating with a wound care gel can make all the difference in healing. Dr. Cuddles Heal-at-Home Wound Gel plays a crucial role in facilitating the healing process of wounds in dogs, owing to its potent antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties that help in eliminating harmful bacteria and fungi. The gel is enriched with dilute hypochlorous acid, a well-known agent for its disinfecting and healing capabilities, ensuring the affected area is thoroughly cleansed and on the path to recovery. The non-toxic and no-sting formula of the gel ensures that application is pain-free, making it easier for pet parents to treat their furry friends without causing them additional distress. Plus, it’s made for use on dogs and cats, making it ideal for multi-pet families. 

To use Dr. Cuddles Heal-at-Home Wound Gel, start by cleaning the wound or affected area gently with a clean cloth or sterile gauze, removing any debris or dirt. Then, apply a generous amount of the wound gel directly onto the area, ensuring it is fully covered. It is recommended to use the gel two to three times a day, or as directed by a veterinarian. Pet parents should observe a noticeable improvement in the wound’s condition within a few days of consistent application.

2. Shock

Shock in dogs occurs when the circulatory system fails to work properly as a result of blood loss, heart failure, anaphylaxis, extreme temperatures, or nervous system injuries. It causes a lack of oxygen to the brain, body tissues, and organs which quickly becomes a life-threatening emergency.

Signs of shock in dogs include:

• Rapid pulse
• Low body temperature
• Grey-blue mucous membranes (gums, tongue, etc.)
• Weakness and dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shallow, rapid breathing
• Gasping for air
• Eventually, they will lose consciousness and stop breathing without life-saving efforts

Dog first aid steps for shock:

• Lie the dog on their right side
• Put a folded blanket under their hind end to elevate it. This encourages blood to flow to their heart and brain.
• Cover them with a warm blanket (shock causes body temp to plummet)
• Seek emergency veterinary care

3. Poisoning

In the case of toxic ingestion, call your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center hotline at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435). Animal Poison Control is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Have the packaging of the substance your dog was exposed to on-hand.

First aid techniques may involve inducing vomiting or seeking emergency supportive care from your vet. While some substances are best removed from the body as soon as possible, others can cause even more damage on the way out. Never induce vomiting without first seeking professional advice.

Depending on the type of exposure, you may also have to flush the eyes or thoroughly wash the skin and coat.

Do you know the most common household poisons? How about toxic foods and plants to avoid?

4. Seizures

Seizures can take on a variety of forms. Some dogs convulse violently while others experience rapid eye movement or twitching in one limb. It’s extremely frightening to witness, but canine seizures are typically not life-threatening unless they cannot be brought under control.

If your dog has a seizure, do not attempt to move or restrain them. Clear the area of potential hazards and time the length of the seizure to report to your vet.

Once the seizure has passed, your dog will most likely be listless and groggy for several hours. Keep them comfortable. If this is your dog’s first seizure, seek immediate veterinary attention. If your dog has a history of seizure disorder, follow your veterinary care plan.

5. Choking

Note: A choking, frightened dog is more likely to bite. Proceed with caution.

Many dogs cough and hack, but are not necessarily choking. To determine if your dog is in need of emergency first aid:

• Check for labored breathing.
• Gently open your dog’s mouth and see whether an object is blocking the airway.
• If visible, try to dislodge it with a hooked index finger, being careful not to push it further into the airway.
• If you can’t remove the object or your dog collapses, place both hands on the side of the rib cage and apply firm quick pressure, release and repeat.
• You can also try laying your dog on its side and striking the rib cage firmly with the palm of your hand 3-4 times. (The idea behind this is to sharply push air out of their lungs and push the object out from behind.)
• Keep repeating these techniques until the object is dislodged or until you arrive at the vet’s office.
• Seek emergency veterinary care.

Even if you are able to dislodge the object from your dog’s throat, you should still seek veterinary attention as soon as possible to ensure there are no further complications. Choking dogs may swallow potentially harmful substances or aspirate fluid into the lungs.

6. Apnea (Not Breathing)

You can determine if your dog has stopped breathing by watching for the rise and fall of the chest or placing your hand in front of your dog’s muzzle to feel for warm, exhaled air. Keep in mind that your dog’s respiration is slower and deeper during sleep.

If you determine that your dog is in respiratory distress, the AVMA recommends you:

• Open the airway by gently grasping the tongue and pulling it forward (out of the mouth) until it is flat.
• Check the dog’s throat to see if there are any foreign objects obstructing the airway.
• Perform rescue breathing by holding your dog’s muzzle closed and breathing directly into the nose until the chest expands.
• Once the chest expands, continue the rescue breathing once every 4 or 5 seconds.
• Be sure to check for a pulse (see video below). If absent, proceed to cardiac arrest procedures.

Ideally, these dog first aid techniques should be preformed on the way to your veterinarian’s office to seek professional treatment.

7. Cardiac Arrest (Heart Is Not Beating)

The signs of cardiac arrest are similar to those seen in the advanced stages of shock. Your dog will lose consciousness and stop breathing. Since the heart is no longer pumping oxygenated blood through the body, the mucous membranes will appear pale or blue-gray. 

This is one of the most terrifying emergencies your dog can face, but with your help, they may just survive it. Prompt veterinary care is the key to a happy outcome, so be sure to perform the following rescue efforts on the way to the animal hospital.

Dog First Aid For Cardiac Arrest:

• First, check to make sure your dog doesn’t have anything blocking their airway and begin performing the rescue breathing technique from above.
• Check for a pulse (see video below).
• If no pulse, lay them on their RIGHT side so the heart is facing up. (It is located in the lower half of the chest on the left side, just behind the front left leg.)
• Place one hand underneath your dog and the other hand over their heart.
• Press down gently on the heart – about one inch down for medium-sized dogs – 100-120 times per minute.
• Alternate 30 chest compressions with two rescue breaths and check for signs of life every two minutes.
• Continue until your dog’s heart restarts or a veterinary professional is available to take over.

Learn how to assess your dog’s condition and perform these CPR techniques in the following video by pet first aid instructor Melanie Monteiro.

8. Heat Stroke

Dogs can become dangerously overheated from a boisterous day in the hot sun or being left in a hot car. Unlike humans, they only have sweat glands in their paw pads and must otherwise cool down by panting. This leaves them quite susceptible to hyperthermia. Overweight pups and dogs with short muzzles are even more prone to heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Vomiting blood
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

If you believe your dog is suffering from heat stroke, get them out of the heat immediately. Prompt veterinary care is essential to prevent brain and organ damage, but you can help begin the process of lowering your dog’s body temperature (slowly!) on the way to the clinic. Lowering the temp at a steady pace also helps reduce the risk of shock.

• Apply rubbing alcohol to your dog’s paw pads to help draw heat out of the body.
• Place cool, wet towels around the body, head, and neck (avoiding the eyes, nose, and mouth).
• If possible, replace with fresh, cool towels every few minutes until your vet can take over care.

9. Broken Bones

Dogs don’t have an understanding of what it means to have broken bones. When a dog breaks a bone, they tend to do things that make the situation worse. Remember: even the sweetest dogs will bite or growl at their rescuers out of fear and confusion. It helps to muzzle your dog or the dog you’re attempting to help so they don’t nip at you while you transport them.

Dogs will also try to move the broken bones instinctively and you need to make sure they don’t do this. The first step will be to secure the dog so they don’t injure themselves accidentally. Transporting a dog with broken bones requires additional care, and to do this safely you’ll need to:

• Lay the dog on a flat surface to use as a stretcher, like a board or floor mat.
• Secure the dog to that flat surface using a blanket, towel, or other soft material. Don’t make the restraint tight enough to restrict blood flow.
• Make sure you’re not putting any pressure on the injury as you’re securing your dog.

Remember, you’re doing all this so you can safely bring the dog to a veterinarian. A badly placed splint or improper set can do more harm than good. It’s best to leave medical care to the professionals.

10. Burns

When treating burns, there are different methods based on the type of severity of the burn. In every case, you should muzzle your dog if possible to avoid fear bites.

For chemical burns, brush off any dry chemicals. Then, immediately flush the area with large quantities of water. Note that some dry chemicals may react to water. Check the product label and see what the emergency instructions for people are. Odds are if soap and water is required on human’s skin, your dog’s skin will need to be treated with soap as well.

If the burn is severe, apply an ice water compress for at least 5 minutes. Ice should not be applied directly to your dog’s skin, so wrap an ice pack in a light towel.

You can also apply soothing aloe lotion to your dog’s skin before taking them in for professional treatment.

11. Stings And Insect Bites

If your dog gets stung or bitten by an insect, observe them for signs of allergic reactions. Those signs include:

• General weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling that extends past the bite/sting area

Though dogs can take Benadryl, the safe amount depends on your dog’s weight. Allergic reactions constitute an emergency and your dog will need to be treated by a veterinarian right away.

Otherwise, stings tend to go away on their own. Attempting to remove the stinger with tweezers could actually release more venom, so try knocking it off with something else. If the bite or sting is external, apply an ice pack or compress to help with any lingering pain.

For naughty pups who got stung trying to eat an insect, consult your vet on pain medications for dogs. Bites and stings occurring in the mouth and throat are most likely to be dangerous, and you may want to have a vet investigate these.

For more information on external parasites like fleas, ticks, and lice, consult our iHD guide.

Further Your Dog First Aid Education

The more you know, the more comfortable you will be to take action in an emergency. The American Red Cross, Pet Tech, and many local animal shelters offer courses in pet first aid and CPR. You can also find additional information and resources from the professionals at the AVMA.