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Dog CPR Calculator — Compressions Per Minute & Depth

How do you actually perform CPR on a dog in cardiac arrest? This emergency reference implements the RECOVER 2024 Veterinary Consensus Guidelines: 100-120 compressions per minute (the “Stayin’ Alive” rhythm), a 30:2 compression-to-breath ratio, and compression depth of one-third to one-half chest width. See the AVMA pet first-aid resource for the full emergency workflow and call your veterinarian or nearest 24-hour ER immediately.

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EMERGENCY CPR GUIDANCE
100–120 compressions/min
Depth: 1.5″ · 30:2 (compression:breath) cycle

Step-by-step

  1. Check pulse at inner thigh (femoral artery) — if none, begin CPR immediately.
  2. Lay dog on right side, extend neck to open airway.
  3. Place hands over widest part of ribcage (lateral recumbency method).
  4. Compress at 30 per cycle at 100-120/min rate.
  5. Give 2 rescue breaths mouth-to-snout (hold mouth closed).
  6. Repeat 5 cycles (~2 min), then check pulse.
  7. Have someone call ER vet and drive while CPR continues.
This is a reference tool. Take a Pet CPR certification course (RedCross Pet First Aid app, ProPetCPR) BEFORE you need it. Time to professional care is critical.

Small dog vs large dog CPR: what changes by size?

AspectSmall dog (under 20 lb)Large dog (over 20 lb)
Compression techniqueOne-handed circumferential thoracic compressionTwo-handed flat-palm chest compression
Compression depth1/3 chest width1/3 to 1/2 chest width
PositionLateral or dorsal recumbencyRight lateral recumbency
Hand positionAround the chest at heart levelOver the widest part of ribs
Rate (RECOVER 2024)100-120/min100-120/min

CPR terminology

RECOVER guidelines
The Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation — the international consensus standard for animal CPR, updated 2024.
Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA)
Loss of effective heartbeat and breathing; the condition CPR aims to reverse.
Lateral recumbency
The patient lies on its side — right-side-down is preferred for canine CPR.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct CPR rate for dogs?

Per RECOVER 2024 Veterinary CPR guidelines: 100-120 chest compressions per minute, with a compression-to-breath ratio of 30:2. Depth is 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the chest.

How do I check a dog's pulse?

Femoral artery at the inner thigh. Lay your fingers in the crease where the leg meets the body. A normal pulse is 60-140 bpm (smaller dogs higher, larger dogs lower).

When should I stop CPR?

When the dog regains a pulse and spontaneous breathing, when a professional takes over, or after 20 minutes without response (very poor prognosis). Never stop before reaching the ER if you can help it.

Sources & References

  1. [1]
    RECOVER Clinical CPR Guidelines — RECOVER (veterinary CPR consensus)
  2. [2]
    Pet First Aid App — American Red Cross
  3. [3]

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Compressing on the wrong spot — mid-chest over heart for small dogs (lateral recumbency), xyphoid for large deep-chested (dorsal recumbency).
  • Too slow compression rate — target 100-120/min (to the beat of Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive”).
  • Checking for response between compressions — don’t interrupt; keep going until trained help arrives.

When to call the vet immediately

  • No pulse for >5 min = dim prognosis; get to vet regardless to confirm and support.
  • CPR after choking — must clear airway first.

Poison Control 24/7: 888-426-4435

Pro tips

  • Take a pet CPR class once (Red Cross, local humane society) — video can’t replicate muscle memory.
  • Keep the Emergency Vet Finder saved for quick reference.