Clear, fast instructions for owners on recognizing cardiac arrest in dogs and performing basic CPR (compressions and rescue breaths). Includes hand placement by size, rates, and when to rush to the vet.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS

Emergency numbers: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435, Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661

Is This an Emergency? Quick assessment

• Signs that require immediate CPR: the dog is unconscious, not breathing or gasping, and you cannot detect a pulse.
• If the dog is breathing but unresponsive, or breathing abnormally (very slow, irregular), treat as an emergency and get veterinary help.
• If you are unsure whether the dog is breathing, treat as if it is not—start CPR and get professional help.

Before you start: safety and preparations

• Make sure the scene is safe for you and the dog.
• If possible, roll the dog onto a flat, firm surface on its right side (lateral recumbency) for compressions. Larger dogs can stay on their side; small dogs and cats may be better placed on a table with a firm surface.
• Remove collars that restrict the neck. If the dog may bite, you may need to gently muzzle it—only if it does not obstruct breathing. If you cannot safely muzzle, have someone help restrain the head.
• Have someone call the vet and bring directions, traffic details, and any known medical history.

Step-by-step CPR procedure (based on RECOVER/VECCS veterinary guidelines)

1. Check airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs)

2. Chest compressions — general principles

• Compression rate: 100–120 compressions per minute. Use a metronome or count "one-and-two-and-three..." to keep pace.
• Compression depth: compress to about 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest (approximately 1/3 for deep-chested dogs, up to 1/2 for very broad chests). Aim to allow full chest recoil between compressions.
• Minimize interruptions—ideally keep pauses under 10 seconds.
• Switch rescuers every 2 minutes if possible to avoid fatigue.

Compression-to-ventilation patterns:

• Single rescuer: 30 compressions : 2 breaths.
• Two rescuers: continuous compressions at 100–120/min with asynchronous ventilation at 10 breaths per minute (one breath every 6 seconds). One rescuer maintains compressions while the other gives breaths.

3. Rescue breathing (ventilation)

Notes on airway adjuncts: If you are trained and a tube is available, endotracheal intubation is the gold standard for airway protection and ventilation, but this is generally a veterinary procedure. For owners, mouth-to-snout breaths are acceptable until you reach a clinic.

4. Monitor for return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)

• Signs of ROSC: the dog starts to breathe on its own, moves, has a palpable pulse (femoral), or has a normal mucous membrane color.
• If ROSC occurs, place the dog in sternal recumbency (on its chest) with the head and neck in a neutral position, keep the airway open, and get to the vet immediately for stabilization and diagnostics.

How long should I continue CPR?

• Continue until: the dog shows signs of ROSC, a veterinarian directs you to stop, you are physically unable to continue, or the scene becomes unsafe.
• RECOVER guidelines suggest that prolonged CPR may be warranted when the cause is potentially reversible, and many clinicians recommend at least 20 minutes in-hospital before considering termination—however, in the field transport to a clinic is often the priority.

What NOT to Do

• Don’t waste time checking for a pulse longer than 10 seconds—start compressions if you are unsure.
• Don’t over-inflate the lungs during rescue breaths—this can reduce blood return to the heart and worsen outcomes.
• Don’t perform abdominal compressions (Heimlich-type thrusts) unless you see a clear, removable airway obstruction and the dog is conscious.
• Don’t delay transport—CPR is a bridge until veterinary care; it does not replace emergency treatment.
• Don’t use human-only devices (like certain masks) incorrectly—if you’re not trained, use mouth-to-snout breaths rather than misapply unfamiliar equipment.
• Don’t give medications at home except as directed by a veterinarian via phone.

When to Rush to the Vet — clear criteria

Call ahead so the clinic can prepare: tell them you are performing CPR or that the dog is in respiratory or cardiovascular collapse.

Success rates and outlook (what to expect)

• Outcome varies widely depending on cause (e.g., anesthesia-related arrest often has better outcomes than prolonged cardiac disease), how quickly CPR was started, and the presence of reversible conditions.
• Published veterinary data and the RECOVER/VECCS initiative report that return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after in-hospital CPR can range from roughly 20–60% in various studies; however, survival to discharge is substantially lower, commonly in the single digits to low twenties percent depending on case selection and underlying cause.
• Dogs that collapse suddenly and receive immediate, high-quality CPR have better odds than those with prolonged downtime or severe underlying disease.

(Sources: RECOVER Initiative / Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), AVMA guidance, veterinary critical care textbooks.)

Prevention

• Keep toxic substances, human medications, certain foods (xylitol, chocolate), and plants out of reach. Call poison hotlines if ingestion is suspected.
• Supervise dogs around pools, bathtubs, and on boats; consider life jackets for water activities.
• Regular veterinary checks for heart disease, respiratory conditions, and metabolic disorders—managing chronic disease reduces sudden collapse risk.
• Use appropriate harnesses and restraints in cars and on walks to reduce traumatic injuries.
• Learn basic pet first aid and consider a pet CPR class; practice calming techniques to reduce delays if an emergency occurs.

Key Takeaways

• If the dog is unresponsive, not breathing normally, or has no pulse—start CPR immediately and get to an emergency vet.
• Compression rate: 100–120/min, depth about 1/3–1/2 chest width; hand placement varies by dog size (two-thumb encircling for small dogs; one- or two-hand heel compressions for larger dogs).
• Single rescuer: 30 compressions : 2 breaths. Two rescuers: continuous compressions with 10 breaths per minute.
• Rescue breaths: give enough air to see the chest rise; avoid over-inflation.
• CPR buys time—it is not a definitive treatment. Always seek veterinary care immediately.

Sources and further reading

• RECOVER Initiative (Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation) — Veterinary CPR guidelines (VECCS). https://recoverinitiative.org/guidelines/
• Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) resources. https://www.veccs.org/
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) emergency resources. https://www.avma.org/
• Silverstein, D.C., Hopper, K. Small Animal Critical Care Medicine (textbook reference)

If you are in the moment of an emergency: act quickly, begin high-quality compressions and rescue breaths as outlined, call your emergency vet immediately, and get your dog under professional care as soon as possible. You cannot fully treat cardiac arrest at home—CPR is a lifesaving bridge to veterinary treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions