Symptom: Choking or Difficulty Swallowing – When Should I Contact a Vet?
A pet that is truly choking has something blocking their airway and is unable to breathe normally. They may panic, paw frantically at their mouth, struggle to breathe, make little or no sound, and their gums may become pale or blue. In severe cases, they may collapse. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention.
Fortunately, many pets that owners think are choking are actually having trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or irritation of the mouth or throat. Although they are usually still able to breathe, swallowing is uncomfortable or difficult and veterinary assessment is still important.
Common signs include:
Gagging or retching
Excessive drooling
Repeated swallowing or gulping
Difficulty eating or drinking
Coughing while eating or drinking
Pawing at the mouth or stretching the neck
Some pets may repeatedly try to swallow, drop food from their mouth, or regurgitate food or water shortly after eating. Others may become reluctant to eat, lose weight, or show signs of pain when swallowing if the problem has persisted longer.
'My pet is choking or having difficulty swallowing' - Frequently asked questions
What are the common reasons that my pet is choking or having difficulty swallowing?
A foreign object stuck in the mouth or throat – Bones, sticks, toys, grass awns or other objects can become lodged and interfere with swallowing or breathing.
Dental or mouth problems – Broken teeth, severe dental disease, mouth ulcers or injuries can make swallowing painful. Further reading: Dental Disease in Cats, Dental Disease in Dogs
Throat or oesophageal disease – Inflammation, infection, narrowing or conditions affecting the food pipe (oesophagus) can prevent food from passing normally.
Neurological or muscle disorders – Conditions affecting the nerves or muscles involved in swallowing can make it difficult to eat and drink safely.
Growths or tumours – Masses in the mouth, throat or oesophagus are more common in older pets and may gradually cause difficulty swallowing.
DOs - My pet is choking or having difficulty swallowing, what to do at home:
- If your pet is choking or struggling to breathe, contact your vet immediately and head to the clinic without delay.
- Stay calm and keep your pet as still and quiet as possible. Stress and struggling can make the situation worse.
- Only remove the object causing the choking if you can clearly see it and it is easy to reach. Never put yourself at risk of being bitten.
- If your pet is having difficulty swallowing, don't encourage them to eat or drink. Arrange a prompt appointment with your vet, especially if the signs persist, recur or they seem unwell.
DON'Ts - My pet is choking or having difficulty swallowing, what not to do at home:
- Don't put your fingers into your pet's mouth unless you can clearly see and safely remove the object causing the choking.
- Don't try to force food, water or medication if your pet is having difficulty swallowing.
- Don't delay contacting your vet if your pet is choking, struggling to breathe or their signs are getting worse.
- Don't ignore a choking episode, even if your pet seems to recover. Contact your vet for advice, as an examination may still be needed.
My pet is choking or having difficulty swallowing - when is it an emergency?
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your pet:
- Is choking or struggling to breathe.
- Has pale gums or blue gums, collapses, or becomes unresponsive.
- Has a suspected object lodged in the mouth or throat that cannot be safely removed.
- Is unable to swallow saliva, food or water, or is drooling excessively.
- Has persistent, recurrent or worsening difficulty swallowing.
Written by Gill Burkhill, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published July 2026 | Review date July 2029 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet