Canine CPR: How to Perform CPR on a Dog in an Emergency

Quick Glance

When a pet emergency strikes, staying calm and prepared is one of the most important things you can do. If your dog suddenly becomes unresponsive or stops breathing, knowing how to perform canine CPR could help save your pet’s life. While it’s a skill no one ever hopes to use, learning the basics can help you act quickly and give your dog the best chance of survival until they can get help from a vet.

What Is CPA in Dogs?

Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) occurs when a dog’s heart stops beating and they stop breathing. Without immediate action, CPA can cause brain and organ damage within just a few minutes.¹

CPA in dogs may be caused by:

This is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you are home alone and cannot safely perform CPR, do not attempt it. Instead, rush your dog to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.

How to Tell If Your Dog Needs CPR

It’s not always obvious whether a dog needs CPR, so take a few seconds to assess:¹

If your dog is breathing or responsive — even if unconscious — do not perform CPR. Instead, get them to an emergency vet immediately. If your dog is not breathing, is unresponsive, and allows you to open their mouth with no resistance, begin CPR right away.

What Is Canine CPR?

Canine CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an emergency procedure that combines:¹

The purpose of CPR is to keep oxygen moving through your dog’s body long enough to reach a vet.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform Canine CPR

1. Check for Breathing and a Heartbeat

Confirm that your dog isn’t breathing and has no detectable heartbeat. If their chest is not moving and you can’t find a heartbeat, it’s time to start chest compressions.²

2. Start Chest Compressions

Hand placement depends on your dog’s size and chest type:²

Small dogs/cats: Place the heel of one hand directly over the heart, and place your other hand on top.

Deep-chested dogs (e.g., Greyhounds): Place the heel of one hand over the widest part of the dog’s chest, and place your other hand on top.

Barrel-chested dogs (e.g., Bulldogs): Lay the dog on their back, place one hand over the widest part of the sternum, and place your other hand on top.

Lock your elbows and position your shoulders directly above your hands. Compress at a rate of 100–120 per minute, pressing down 1/3 to 1/2 of the width of the dog’s chest. Let the chest fully recoil after each compression. Perform 30 compressions.²

3. Give Rescue Breaths

How to perform rescue breaths:²

Close your dog’s mouth and extend their neck to open the airway.

Place your mouth over their nose and exhale until you see the chest rise.

Give a second rescue breath.

4. Continue CPR

Repeat cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths¹.

5. Check Every 2 Minutes

Briefly pause every 2 minutes to check if your dog has started breathing or regained a heartbeat¹.

6. Transport to a Vet

The goal of at-home CPR is to buy time. As soon as possible, get your dog to an emergency veterinary hospital. If someone else can drive, continue CPR on the way. Never attempt CPR while driving.

Transporting Your Dog Safely

If your dog is unresponsive, moving them can be tricky. Place a towel, blanket, or sling under their body to lift them gently. Keep their head and neck supported and continue CPR only if another person can drive you to the vet.

After CPR: What to Expect at the Emergency Vet

A dog who has experienced cardiopulmonary arrest needs emergency veterinary care immediately — CPR is a bridge, not a treatment. At the emergency clinic, your dog will likely need oxygen therapy, cardiac monitoring, IV fluids, and diagnostics to identify the underlying cause.

Emergency vet visits are among the most costly in veterinary care. According to a 2025 study by Synchrony/CareCredit, the average emergency exam alone runs between $107 and $246 — and that’s before treatment, diagnostics, or hospitalization.³ For a dog in cardiac arrest, total costs can reach $1,500–$5,000 or more, depending on the severity and what’s required.

This is exactly the kind of unexpected, high-stakes situation pet insurance is designed to help. An accident-and-illness plan can help cover the eligible costs of emergency care, which may include exam fees, oxygen therapy, hospitalization, and follow-up care.

FAQs About Canine CPR

How do you perform CPR on a dog?

Start with 30 chest compressions at 100–120 per minute, followed by 2 mouth-to-snout rescue breaths.² Repeat this cycle continuously until your dog breathes again or until you reach a vet.

Is dog CPR different from human CPR?

Yes. Canine CPR requires mouth-to-snout breathing rather than mouth-to-mouth, and hand placement varies significantly depending on the dog’s size and chest shape — something human CPR doesn’t involve. The compression-to-breath ratio (30:2) is the same.

Is it worth doing CPR on a dog?

Yes. While survival rates vary depending on the underlying cause and how quickly care is reached, performing CPR maintains circulation and oxygen delivery, which can extend the window for a dog to receive life-saving treatment. Not attempting CPR removes that chance.

What are the hand positions for different dog chest types?

How do compression depth and rate differ between small and large dogs?

The depth is consistent across all sizes: compress 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest, and allow full recoil after every compression.² The rate is also the same: 100–120 compressions per minute, regardless of size.

Should I learn canine CPR before an emergency?

Yes — strongly. The American Red Cross and many local veterinary clinics offer pet first aid courses that include hands-on CPR practice. Reading instructions during an emergency is not the same as having practiced the motions. If you have a dog at elevated cardiac risk (older dog, heart disease history, certain breeds), a certification course can be well worth the time.

The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.