Pet CPR Step-by-Step

Only perform CPR if your pet is unconscious, not breathing, and has no pulse. A pet that is breathing — even poorly — should NOT receive CPR. **Check first:** 1. Call your pet's name. No response? 2. Check for breathing — watch for chest movement, feel for breath on your cheek 3. Check pulse — inside of back thigh for dogs, inside of front leg at chest for cats **If no breathing + no pulse, start CPR:** **Compressions (same for cats and small dogs):** - Lay pet on their right side - Place heel of hand over highest point of chest - Compress chest ⅓ to ½ of its width - Rate: 100-120 compressions per minute (think: Stayin' Alive beat) - For cats/small dogs: use one hand or two fingers **For large dogs:** - Cup both hands over the widest part of chest - Same compression rate **Rescue breaths (30:2 ratio):** - After 30 compressions, give 2 breaths - Close your pet's mouth gently, breathe into their nose until you see chest rise - 1 second per breath **Continue until:** - Pet regains consciousness - You reach a vet - You've performed CPR for 20 minutes with no response **Call for help while doing CPR** — have someone call the vet, drive while you continue. Print this guide. Keep it accessible. Hope you never need it.