We never want to imagine a situation where our cat’s health might be in danger. However, if you find yourself in a position where your kitty becomes unconscious, you need to be prepared to act fast. In animals, respiratory arrest often occurs before cardiac arrest. The heart might continue beating for several minutes after breathing stops. This means that CPR and rescue breathing could save his or her life.
How to Start Rescue Breathing
If your cat is unconscious, then you should start rescue breathing immediately. This means lying your cat on a flat surface on his side. Check that the airway is clear, and extend the head and neck. Straighten the cat’s throat by lifting his or her chin, then put your mouth over the muzzle and blow gently into the nose, causing the chest to expand lightly. Wait for the air to leave the lungs before you breathe again.
How to Perform CPR
If your cat’s heart has stopped beating for any reason, then you will need to begin CPR immediately. Usually, it’s a good idea to have two people performing CPR if you can. One can continue rescue breathing, while the other performs chest compressions. When two people are performing CPR, you should use one breath for every three compressions. If you’re performing CPR alone, then use one breath for every five compressions.
Related: Tips for Detecting Cat Joint Problems
Step 1: Lay your cat on his or her side on a flat surface.
Step 2: Lay the palm of your hand against the ribcage, over the heart. Carefully place your other hand over the top of the first. Remember, for smaller kittens and puppies, place your thumb against one side of the chest, and your other fingers against the other side.
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Step 3: Carefully compress the chest around one inch. Squeeze the ribcage and release rhythmically at a rate of about 80 to 100 compressions a minute.
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This is such a cute post.. but I am sorry… my cat would probably need to rely on one of its nine lives because I can’t see me doing cpr on them. I am love my dog… but his breath stinks even though I take him to get his teeth cleaned… but he is older and the stink coming from his mouth is horrible… so I just cant do it… I will do anything that I can for an animal… but not that!
that’s not nice. that’s not unconditional love. trust in that your cat loves u UNconditionally. personally i would give my pet cpr even he/she had feces in his mouth. disgusting thought yes, but that is how much i love my cats and dogs.
Im wondering when they say put your mouth over their muzzle do they mean nose and mouth both ? Just nose ? Glad this is available to put to memory fr hopefully never a need .
I never even knew that you could do cpr on a cat. You learn something new every day. This is going to help tons of cat owners.
This is such a cute post.. but I am sorry… my cat would probably need to rely on one of its nine lives because I can’t see me doing cpr on them. I am love my dog… but his breath stinks even though I take him to get his teeth cleaned… but he is older and the stink coming from his mouth is horrible… so I just cant do it… I will do anything that I can for an animal… but not that!
that’s not nice. that’s not unconditional love. trust in that your cat loves u UNconditionally. personally i would give my pet cpr even he/she had feces in his mouth. disgusting thought yes, but that is how much i love my cats and dogs.
Im wondering when they say put your mouth over their muzzle do they mean nose and mouth both ? Just nose ? Glad this is available to put to memory fr hopefully never a need .
I had never considered CPR on my cat an option. This is helpful, though. I’d do anything to help her!
I never even knew that you could do cpr on a cat. You learn something new every day. This is going to help tons of cat owners.
I had never considered CPR on my cat an option. This is helpful, though. I’d do anything to help her!
Oh interesting. There are so many classes for adults, kids and babies I would never even think about a pet one!
I didn’t know there was a method for this. I hope my cats never need this but it’s useful to have the information.
This is a quite interesting post. I have 3 cats but never knew you could do CPR on a animal let alone a cat.
Oh interesting. There are so many classes for adults, kids and babies I would never even think about a pet one!
I didn’t know there was a method for this. I hope my cats never need this but it’s useful to have the information.
This is a quite interesting post. I have 3 cats but never knew you could do CPR on a animal let alone a cat.
I’ve never thought about having to perform CPR on a cat before. We don’t have cats but I am assuming these tips and how to can be used on a dog as well?
I’ve never thought about having to perform CPR on a cat before. We don’t have cats but I am assuming these tips and how to can be used on a dog as well?
It’s interesting how similar it is to doing it on human beings. My cousin actually had to perform CPR on someone last week in Germany while traveling. It was a really scary moment, but it just reminds me how useful it is to know how to do it!
It’s interesting how similar it is to doing it on human beings. My cousin actually had to perform CPR on someone last week in Germany while traveling. It was a really scary moment, but it just reminds me how useful it is to know how to do it!
i have never done it, but if it came down to it, i probably would as i love my furbabies.
i have never done it, but if it came down to it, i probably would as i love my furbabies.