Common Choking Hazards for Puppies: Complete Safety Guide

Here's a universal rule of puppyhood: if it fits in their mouth, it's going in their mouth. Puppies explore the world through chewing and swallowing—and they have terrible judgment about what's safe.

Every year, veterinary ERs see countless puppies who've choked on objects or swallowed things that cause intestinal blockages. Many of these emergencies are preventable.

Here's your complete guide to puppy choking hazards and what to do in an emergency.

How Puppies Get Into Trouble

The Oral Exploration Phase

Puppies are like furry toddlers—they learn about objects by putting them in their mouths. This is normal developmental behavior, but it becomes dangerous when:

• Objects are small enough to swallow
• Objects can splinter or break apart
• Objects expand when wet
• The puppy is unsupervised

Speed Swallowing

When a puppy has something they shouldn't, human instinct is to chase and grab. This triggers the puppy's instinct to swallow the contraband quickly before you can take it away.

This is how socks, rocks, and toy parts end up requiring surgical removal.

Better approach: Trade for a treat rather than chasing.

The Most Dangerous Choking Hazards

1. Rawhide Chews

Why it's dangerous: Rawhide is essentially dried animal skin treated with chemicals to make it chewable. When puppies gnaw on rawhide:

• It becomes soft and gummy
• Large chunks break off and are swallowed
• These chunks don't digest
• They can block the esophagus (choking) or intestines (blockage)

Reality check: Rawhide is one of the most common causes of obstruction emergencies in young dogs.

Safer alternatives:

• Bully sticks (with a holder to prevent swallowing the last piece)
• Yak cheese chews (Himalayan dog chews)
• Frozen carrots
• Kong toys stuffed with frozen peanut butter
• Edible dental chews appropriate for puppy size

2. Cooked Bones

Why it's dangerous: Cooking changes bone structure. Cooked bones:

• Splinter into sharp fragments
• Can puncture the esophagus, stomach, or intestines
• Can cause choking if swallowed whole

Especially dangerous:

• Chicken bones (splinter easily)
• Rib bones
• T-bones and chop bones

Note on raw bones: Raw bones are somewhat safer (less likely to splinter) but still pose risks. Always supervise. Never give weight-bearing bones from large animals, which can crack teeth.

3. Socks, Underwear, and Clothing

Why it's dangerous: For some mysterious reason, puppies are obsessed with dirty laundry. Fabric items:

• Are the perfect size to cause intestinal blockages
• Bunch up and won't pass through naturally
• Often require surgical removal ($4,000-$8,000)

Prevention: Closed laundry hampers, closed bedroom/bathroom doors, immediate pickup of dropped clothing.

4. Children's Toys

Small toys are perfectly sized for puppy throats:

• Lego bricks
• Small balls (especially those that bounce)
• Game pieces
• Small stuffed animals with button eyes
• Doll accessories

The ball test: If a ball can fit behind your dog's teeth, it can get lodged in their throat. Choose balls larger than their mouth.

5. Sticks and Wood Pieces

Outdoor puppy hazard:

• Sticks splinter into sharp pieces
• Can puncture mouth, throat, or intestines
• Long sticks can cause trauma if puppy runs with them

Safer alternatives: Rubber stick toys designed for chewing

6. Rocks and Stones

Some puppies develop a compulsion to eat rocks. This can cause:

• Broken teeth
• Esophageal obstruction
• Intestinal blockage
• Severe dental trauma

If your puppy eats rocks: Discuss with your vet—may indicate nutritional deficiency or behavioral issue.

7. Corn Cobs

Why it's dangerous: Corn cobs are the perfect size and texture to:

• Attract dogs (smells like food)
• Get stuck in the intestines
• Cause complete obstruction

Corn cobs are one of the most common blockage causes seen in emergency clinics.

Prevention: Secure garbage, never leave cobs unattended.

8. Fruit Pits and Seeds

Stone fruit pits (peach, plum, cherry, avocado) plus apple cores:

• Perfect choking size
• Contain cyanide compounds (toxic)
• Can cause intestinal blockage

9. Small Rubber or Plastic Pieces

Pieces that break off of:

• Plastic toys not designed for dogs
• Rubber balls that can be shredded
• Flip-flops and shoes
• Remote controls, game controllers
• Bottle caps

10. String, Yarn, and Ribbons

Linear foreign bodies are especially dangerous:

• One end can anchor in the stomach
• The other end passes into the intestines
• Intestines accordion up on the string
• Creates sawing action that can cut through intestinal wall

Includes: Thread, dental floss, tinsel, rubber bands, hair ties, shoelaces

Room-by-Room Hazard Checklist

Living Room

• Remote control batteries accessible?
• Small decorations within reach?
• Candles or wax melts?
• Rubber bands, hair ties, strings?
• Children's toys scattered?
• Coins or small objects on tables?

Kitchen

• Garbage secured?
• Corn cobs, bones, pits reachable?
• Dish sponges accessible?
• Twist ties, bread clips exposed?
• Medication on counter?

Bathroom

• Dental floss accessible?
• Q-tips reachable?
• Razor disposal secure?
• Hair ties, bobby pins available?
• Medication accessible?

Bedroom

• Laundry in closed hamper?
• Small jewelry accessible?
• Hair accessories put away?
• Socks and underwear contained?
• Medications secured?

Outdoor/Garage

• Rocks in play area?
• Sticks available for chewing?
• Small garden tools accessible?
• Mulch (cocoa mulch is toxic) safe?
• Chemicals secured?

Signs Your Puppy Is Choking

Immediate Signs

• Pawing at mouth: Trying to dislodge something
• Gagging and retching: Unproductive attempts to vomit
• Frantic behavior: Panic, pacing
• High-pitched sounds: Wheezing, squeaking
• Blue/purple gums or tongue: Oxygen deprivation (EMERGENCY)
• Collapse: Life-threatening
• Silent distress: Can't bark or make noise

Partial vs. Complete Blockage

Partial obstruction: Some air getting through

• Coughing, gagging
• Unusual sounds
• Drooling
• May still be able to breathe, but labored

Complete obstruction: No air getting through

• No sound
• Blue gums
• Collapse
• IMMEDIATE action required

What to Do If Your Puppy Is Choking

This is an emergency. Act quickly but calmly.

Step 1: Check the Mouth

1. Open the mouth wide
2. Look for visible objects
3. If you can SEE an object and safely reach it, carefully sweep it out with your finger
4. Be careful not to push it further in

Warning: Don't blindly sweep the mouth. You may push the object deeper.

Step 2: Modified Heimlich Maneuver (for dogs)

For small puppies (under 15 lbs):

1. Hold puppy with head down (gravity helps)
2. Give 4-5 back blows between shoulder blades
3. Check mouth for dislodged object
4. If still choking, lay puppy on side
5. Give quick abdominal thrusts (just below ribcage)

For larger puppies:

1. Stand behind the dog
2. Place your arms around their belly
3. Make a fist and place it just behind the ribs
4. Give quick, firm thrusts upward and forward
5. Repeat 4-5 times
6. Check mouth
7. Repeat if necessary

Step 3: Seek Immediate Veterinary Care

Even if you dislodge the object:

• Internal damage may have occurred
• Hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) effects need assessment
• X-rays may be needed to confirm nothing remains

If you cannot dislodge the object: Get to an emergency vet IMMEDIATELY. Call ahead so they're prepared.

When It's Not Choking: Foreign Body Obstruction

Sometimes the object makes it past the esophagus but gets stuck in the intestines. This is equally dangerous.

Signs of Intestinal Blockage

• Repeated vomiting (especially after eating/drinking)
• Complete loss of appetite
• Lethargy, depression
• Painful abdomen (guarding, crying when touched)
• Unable to defecate or straining without result
• Bloating

What to Do

This is a surgical emergency. Get to a vet immediately. Untreated blockages can:

• Cause intestinal tissue death
• Lead to peritonitis (abdominal infection)
• Be fatal within 24-48 hours

Prevention: Training and Management

The "Trade" Game

Teach your puppy to drop objects on command:

1. Offer a low-value item (boring toy)
2. When puppy takes it, show a high-value treat
3. Say "Drop it" as they release the toy
4. Give the treat

Practice until "Drop it" is reliable. This prevents the chase-and-swallow scenario.

The "Leave It" Command

Teach impulse control:

1. Hold treat in closed fist
2. Puppy sniffs, paws at fist
3. Moment they back off, say "Yes!" and treat from OTHER hand
4. Build up to "Leave it" cue before they even sniff

Management

Until training is solid:

• Supervise constantly
• Use baby gates to limit access
• Puppy-proof thoroughly
• Use a crate when you can't supervise
• Trade up, don't chase

The Bottom Line

Puppies will try to eat almost anything. Your job is to:

1. Puppy-proof your home: Room by room, eliminate hazards
2. Supervise actively: Eyes on puppy when they're loose
3. Provide safe chews: Appropriate toys and edibles
4. Train "drop it" and "leave it": Essential safety commands
5. Know the signs of choking and obstruction: Quick action saves lives
6. Learn puppy Heimlich: Hope you never need it, be glad you know it

If in doubt about whether your puppy swallowed something, call your vet. It's always better to ask than to wait for an emergency.

Related: First 24 Hours with a New Puppy Related: Puppy-Proofing Your Home