Knowing how to do CPR on your cat could save their life (stock image) (Image: Getty)
If there’s something not quite right with your cat, you’d no doubt take them to the vet. But in an emergency situation, knowing how to do Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, could save your feline’s life.
It’s important to know that you should never perform CPR on a that is breathing or has a heartbeat, as this can do more harm than good. It’s also not appropriate for every collapsed pet, so the PDSA says it’s “vitally important” to check whether it’s the right thing to do before starting.
Always call your vet as soon as possible in an emergency. They can give advice on what to do. But performed correctly, it can be used to keep blood and oxygen pumping around the body, if their heart stops beating, and it only takes 30 seconds to learn.
Taking to , the owner of , a harness-trained tuxedo cat who loves exploring the outdoors, recommended everyone take “30 seconds out of your day to learn” how to do CPR on your cat.
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They shared a poster showing exactly how to do CPR on your cat, which you can see below. The guide showed the three important steps – clean airway, breathing and circulation.
First, always call a vet to get advice. If they recommend you clear the cat’s airway, this is what to do: If something is stuck in your cat’s throat, you should “open cat’s mouth, pull tongue and locate the object causing the blockage”.
You should use tweezers for this, not fingers. You shouldn’t remove needles and objects deep in the throat, as you could risk pushing these further into the airway.
If you didn’t manage to remove the obstruction, you should “put the cat on your knees with back legs lifted and thump gently on the cat’s shoulder blades”. You could also perform the heimlich manoeuvre, which involves “pressing his abdomen behind the ribcage four-five times”. Then check pulse and breathing.
If the cat is not breathing or unconscious, and the vet tells you do, you should perform CPR. This should only be done “after cleaning airays”.
The guide explains: “Lay the cat on the side and locate his heart behind his elbow on chest. Check pulse. Squeeze the chest gently using the flat of your hand. Cover his nose with your mouth and blow in. Keep his mouth shut”. You can give four compressions, followed by four breaths
Always call your vet before attempting CPR. You can also register for to learn more.