Snack Bag Suffocation in Dogs: CPR Steps

How to Keep Your Dog Safe from Plastic Bag Suffocation

Do you know that dogs can suffocate on plastic bags? Tragically, three dogs have died in the small town where I live from this very cause. The FDA recently published a report highlighting this growing danger. Let me share how you can keep your dog safe from suffocating on a plastic bag and what to do if it happens.

A Common but Overlooked Danger

You’ve just finished eating your snack and toss the bag in the garbage, thinking nothing of it. Your dog, however, is naturally curious and decides to investigate the bag. This scenario is more common than you might think. If your dog gets the bag snugly over their muzzle, it can be so tight that they can’t remove it. They could suffocate and die in as little as five minutes.

I’ve seen this happen firsthand, with three dogs in my town losing their lives to plastic bag suffocation. In my 20 years of veterinary practice, I had never encountered this, but now, within a few short months, it’s become a tragic reality.

FDA Report on Snack Bag Suffocation

At the end of 2022, the FDA published a report addressing the dangers of snack bag suffocation in dogs. If a bag covers a dog’s muzzle, they may panic and start breathing faster, depleting oxygen even more quickly. This can lead to cardiac arrest in a matter of minutes.

Just the other day, I left my two dogs alone for a little while, and I couldn’t help but think, “Did I remove all the plastic bags from the garbage?" One of my dogs often wanders around checking out the garbage. The thought of her suffocating is terrifying.

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Prevention: The Key to Keeping Your Dog Safe

The first and most important step is prevention. Make sure your dog can’t access garbage that may contain plastic bags. Keep garbage cans closed and out of reach. Don’t leave plastic treat bags lying around. Always ensure they have no opportunity to get into any dangerous situation in the first place.

When disposing of plastic bags, take a moment to cut the corners off. This simple act can save a life. If your dog were to get their muzzle into a bag, those open corners would allow airflow, preventing suffocation.

What to Do If Your Dog Is Suffocating

Imagine coming home and finding your dog unresponsive on the kitchen floor with a plastic bag over their muzzle. What should you do?

1. Remove the plastic bag: The first thing you must do is pull the bag off your dog’s muzzle.

2. Evaluate your dog’s condition: Check your dog’s gums by lifting their lips. If they’re pale or blue, your dog may not be breathing.

3. Check for a heartbeat: Place your hand on your dog’s left chest wall to feel for a pulse. If there’s no heartbeat, it’s time to act.

4. Establish an airway: Ensure the airway is clear. Close your dog’s muzzle, place your mouth over their nose, and give two firm breaths. If the chest rises, the airway is clear, and you can begin CPR.

5. Start CPR: Place one hand over the heart, just behind the left armpit. Place your other hand on top of the first and apply significant pressure to compress the chest. For medium to large dogs, compress 1 to 1.5 inches; for small dogs, aim for about half an inch. You need to use enough force to effectively compress the heart.

6. Maintain a fast pace: Perform compressions at a rate of 60 beats per 30 seconds, followed by two mouth-to-nose breaths. Continue this cycle until your dog starts breathing again.

Protecting Your Dog from a Silent Killer

Plastic bag suffocation is real, and it can happen to your dog. Prevent it by ensuring they can’t access plastic bags or garbage. Always cut off the corners of plastic bags before disposing of them.

Thank you for watching this edition of Veterinary Secrets on plastic bag suffocation. Don’t forget to subscribe, click the bell for notifications, and click the link below for a free copy of my book.