Pets are adorable, but they can also have a reputation for mischief. Cats love to knock things off shelves, and dogs love to bark at the mailman (or anyone else at the door). Both cats and dogs are also notorious for getting into things they shouldn’t, which can cause them to ingest hazardous materials and potentially have a choking accident.
Each year, over 1 million dogs go to the vet for choking-related incidents — and that number doesn’t include cats. That’s why BowWow Labs established National Pet Choking Prevention Day in 2023. Observed every year on June 22, it aims to raise awareness around serious choking hazards and help keep pets safe. Luckily, most choking accidents are preventable.
We spoke to Johnna Devereaux, the Chief Nutrition Officer at BowWow Labs and celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan of Lucky Dog, airing on CBS, to learn about the most common choking hazards for pets and how to avoid them.
Which pets are most at risk of choking hazards?
All pets are susceptible to choking hazards, but some are more likely to encounter choking problems than others. Flat-faced or brachycephalic dogs can be more prone to choking, Devereaux says, because they may already have difficulty breathing. Larger dogs are more likely to put larger objects in their mouth and then choke on them, says McMillan, and puppies especially are at risk of choking because they love to chew.
“The basic rule of thumb is if it can fit in a puppy’s mouth, they will put it in their mouth,” McMillan says. Puppies learn by trial and error; because haven’t yet learned what is and isn’t good to chew on, they are at increased risk for choking accidents by literally biting off more than they can chew.
What are the most common choking hazards?
Anything that your pet can fit into their mouth can be a choking hazard. But some objects are particularly common hazards and are important to keep an eye on around your pet.
For cats:
- Hair ties
- String
- Plastic bags
For dogs:
- Tennis balls
- Chew toys
- Treats like bully sticks that have worn down to the last few inches
Although many pet owners may not realize it, “It’s very common for a dog to actually swallow a full tennis ball,” McMillan says. He recounts a time a dog he was training became sick and lethargic; when he took the dog to the vet, they discovered she had swallowed 6 and half tennis balls and needed surgery.
Ingesting the ball isn’t the only risk, either. “A lot of people like to toss the ball to their dog and have their dog play catch. If the ball is the wrong size, it is perfect to go back and block the airway,” explains Devereaux.
And long-term chew toys like bully sticks may not start out as choking hazards, but can become dangerous when they get small enough to fit entirely in your dog’s mouth.
How can you prevent choking accidents?
Devereaux compares keeping a pet-safe environment to childproofing a home. She says that you should use a trash can with a lid and be careful what you leave on counters that pets might be able to reach, like chicken bones from a rotisserie. Balls for your dog should always be wider in diameter than the width of your dog’s jaw, and you shouldn’t leave a pet unattended with a treat or chew.
It’s also essential to do foundational training with your pet, McMillan says. This sets the stage for good behavior early on and makes your dog less likely to get into general mischief. Foundational training helps direct chewing behavior towards appropriate outlets (like a properly-sized chew toy instead of your shoes), making your dog a little less likely to encounter certain choking hazards.
Both Devereaux and McMillan also recommend taking away chew treats when they become short enough to fit in a dog’s mouth or using a treat holder like the BowWow Buddy to prevent long-term chews from being able to be ingested. This stops dogs from swallowing the last few inches, which is a common cause of choking.
When it comes to choking, “Prevention is the easiest way,” says McMillan — stopping choking incidents before they start can save you and your pet a lot of heartache, not to mention an expensive vet bill. Combining smart precautions with supervision of your pet can help keep them healthy and safe and reduce the likelihood of experiencing a choking accident.
Sarah Vincent (she/her) covers the latest and greatest in books and all things pets for Good Housekeeping. She double majored in Creative Writing and Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago, where she sat in the front row for every basketball game. In her spare time, she loves cooking, crafting, studying Japanese, and, of course, reading.
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