How to Perform CPR on a Dog or Cat: A Step-by-Step Guide

When Is Pet CPR Needed?

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is needed when a pet is in cardiac or respiratory arrest — meaning the heart has stopped, breathing has ceased, or both. Common causes include severe trauma, drowning, electrocution, poisoning, choking, and severe allergic reaction. Performing CPR buys critical time until professional veterinary care is reached. It is not a substitute for emergency veterinary treatment — always have someone call a vet or head to an emergency clinic while you perform CPR.

Before beginning CPR, confirm the pet is truly unresponsive:

Call the pet's name and tap gently — no response
Check for breathing: watch for chest rise, feel for breath on your cheek held near the nose
Check for pulse: place fingertips on the inner surface of the upper thigh (femoral artery) for dogs and cats. For small pets, you can feel the heartbeat directly on the left chest wall behind the elbow.

CPR Basics: The 30:2 Ratio

Current guidelines from the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) recommend:

30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths — repeat without interruption
Rate: 100–120 compressions per minute (approximately 2 per second)
Compression depth: one-third to one-half of the chest width
Allow full chest recoil between compressions — do not lean on the chest

Chest Compressions: By Pet Size and Shape

Large dogs (over 30 lbs, round or keel-shaped chest):

Place the pet on its right side on a firm, flat surface
Place both hands (one on top of the other) over the widest part of the chest
Compress firmly to one-third to one-half chest depth
Keep elbows straight and use body weight, not just arm strength

Small dogs and cats (under 30 lbs):

Place on right side on a firm surface
Use one hand wrapped around the sternum (breastbone) for very small pets — thumb on one side, fingers on the other
For slightly larger small dogs: two fingers or the heel of one hand on the chest
Compress to one-half chest depth

Flat-chested breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs):

Place on their back rather than their side
Compress on the sternum (breastbone) directly

Rescue Breaths

Tilt the head back slightly to open the airway. For cats and small dogs, close the mouth and create a seal around the entire muzzle with your mouth.
For large dogs: close the mouth and seal your mouth around the nostrils, breathing into the nose.
Give 2 slow breaths, just enough to see the chest rise — do not overinflate.
If the chest does not rise: reposition the head, check for visible obstructions in the mouth, and ensure a good seal.

Continue Until...

The pet shows signs of life (breathing spontaneously, pulse returns, responsive)
Professional veterinary care takes over
You are physically unable to continue after exhaustive effort (CPR is demanding — rotate with another person if available)

CPR during transport: if someone else is driving, you can continue CPR in the back seat. Call the clinic ahead to tell them you are incoming with a pet in cardiac/respiratory arrest. Use TailRounds AI Triage to communicate the situation. Have the clinic finder pulled up on your phone to navigate to the nearest emergency facility. Keep your pet first aid kit in your car so you always have gauze and gloves available.

Practice Before You Need It

CPR in a crisis is difficult without practice. Consider attending a pet first aid course offered by organizations like the Red Cross, local veterinary clinics, or online video platforms. Book a wellness visit and ask your vet to demonstrate CPR technique for your specific pet's size and breed — it's one of the most valuable 5 minutes they can give you.