How to Get Pet CPR Certification

Having pet CPR certification can be invaluable if your pet ever experiences cardiac arrest or stops breathing. Knowing how to perform CPR and clear airways on a cat or dog can help save their life in an emergency situation. While pet CPR is similar to human CPR, there are some key differences you’ll need to learn. By getting certified in pet CPR, you’ll have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide lifesaving care for your furry companions.

Why Get Certified in Pet CPR?

There are a few key reasons why pet owners should consider getting pet CPR certified

• Pets can experience medical emergencies too – Knowing pet first aid and CPR empowers you to help your pet if they stop breathing, their heart stops, they’re choking, or they become unresponsive. Having training can help you react quickly and confidently

• Increase chances of survival – By starting CPR immediately, you can dramatically increase your pet’s chance of survival in a medical crisis. Those first few moments are critical and proper technique is important.

• Peace of mind – Having the certification gives pet owners confidence that they can do everything possible for their pet in an emergency situation. It provides peace of mind that you have the skills to help your pet.

• Learn proper techniques – Getting certified teaches you the proper hand placement, compression depth, rescue breath procedures that are specifically tailored to pets based on their type and size. Proper training is key.

• Keep pets safe – Knowing first aid and CPR means you can better prevent emergencies too by learning pet safety and knowing the signs of distress. Prevention is key for pet wellbeing.

The bottom line is that pet CPR certification equips you with the techniques and knowledge to potentially save your pet’s life until you can get them to a veterinary hospital. It allows you to provide immediate care which can prevent lasting injury and death.

Options for Pet CPR Certification

If you’re interested in becoming certified in pet first aid and CPR, you have a few options:

In-Person Classes

• American Red Cross – The Red Cross offers in-person pet first aid classes at many local chapters. The classes are typically 3-4 hours and cover vital sign monitoring, pet CPR, injury and trauma care, and more. You’ll receive a pet first aid certificate upon completion.

• Local pet stores/trainers – Many independently owned pet supply stores and dog training businesses offer in-person pet CPR and first aid classes. These vary in length but provide hands-on instruction.

• Veterinary hospitals/clinics – Some vet offices provide pet first aid and CPR classes. These allow you to learn on-site from veterinary professionals. Check with your local vets to see if they offer any training courses.

The benefit of in-person classes is that you get hands-on practice with mannequins to perfect your life-saving skills. The downside is that classes may be limited in availability and difficult to fit into a busy schedule.

Online Certification Courses

If your schedule doesn’t allow for an in-person class, there are many reputable online courses available:

• American Red Cross – The Red Cross offers an online Cat and Dog First Aid course which includes modules on pet CPR and care for choking, wounds, seizures, heat stroke and more. The estimated time is 35 minutes and it costs $35.

• PETFA – Pet First Aid (PETFA) offers an online Pet CPR Certification course covering CPR skills tailored to dogs and cats. It costs $19.99 and takes around 30 minutes to complete.

• Pet Tech – Pet Tech provides Pet First Aid and CPR Certification online. Their course is $49.95 and takes 2-3 hours to finish.

• ASPCA – The ASPCA has an online course called Saving a Life: Pet First Aid & CPR which covers the topics in 5 modules. The cost is $20 and time is around 2 hours.

The advantages of online courses are convenience, lower costs, and the ability to refresh your memory anytime by rewatching the video modules. The disadvantage is that you don’t get in-person practice.

Hybrid Option

Some organizations like the American Red Cross offer a hybrid option. You take the online course to learn the knowledge foundation and then attend an in-person skills session to practice hands-on skills with a certified instructor. This gives you the benefits of both online and in-person training.

What Does Pet CPR Training Cover?

Pet CPR and first aid courses will cover a variety of topics and techniques tailored for providing emergency care for dogs and cats. Here are some of the core things the training will teach you:

• Pet CPR technique – Hand placement, compression depth and rate, rescue breaths
• First aid for choking – Clearing airways if pet stops breathing
• Monitoring vital signs – Temperature, pulse, respiration
• Bleeding control – Bandaging wounds, applying pressure, tourniquets
• Care for burns, bites, stings, allergic reactions
• Splinting broken bones or sprains
• Seizure care
• Rescuing a pet from drowning
• Poison prevention and ingestion first aid
• Heat and cold related emergencies

The courses will teach you how to assess vital signs so you can identify distress quickly. You’ll learn procedures to follow for providing lifesaving care in critical situations.

The training focuses on stabilizing pets, controlling bleeding, reviving pets with CPR, monitoring pets, and preparing them for transport to a veterinary hospital for advanced medical treatment. Taking a class gives you the knowledge to potentially save your pet’s life.

Pet CPR Procedure Overview

While each class will go into detail on techniques, here is a brief overview of the pet CPR procedure:

1. Assess & Monitor

• Check for responsiveness – Gently tap and see if pet responds
• Check for breathing – Look for rise and fall of chest
• Check for a heartbeat – Feel under back leg or pet’s left side
• Monitor breathing and heartbeat

2. Perform Chest Compressions

• Place pet on right side on firm surface
• Find proper hand placement on chest
• Perform compressions at rate of 100-120 per minute
• Allow chest to fully recoil between compressions
• Use 1/3 to 1/2 depth of chest for small pets

3. Give Rescue Breaths

• Gently close mouth and tilt head back
• Open airway by extending neck
• Make seal over pet’s nose with your mouth
• Give 1-2 breaths with just enough force to make chest rise

4. Continue CPR Cycles

• Perform 30 compressions then give 2 breaths
• Keep performing cycles until vet care or pet revives

This provides oxygen to the lungs and circulates blood until you can get advanced medical treatment. Proper training is vital so you learn the exact techniques for each type of pet.

What Certifications Can You Earn?

Pet first aid and CPR classes provide you with certifications showing you have completed the training. Here are some of the common certifications you can earn:

• Pet First Aid Certification
• Pet CPR Certification
• Pet First Aid and CPR Certification
• Veterinary Assistant Certification (covers first aid, CPR, nursing skills)

The certificates confirm you took a course from a reputable provider like the Red Cross and have been trained on the life-saving skills. Certain employers may require pet CPR certification for liability reasons if employees will handle pets. But mainly it gives pet owners confidence in having the skills to care for their own pets.

Many courses provide digital downloadable certificates you can access anytime. You can usually also request a mailed printed certificate. Certifications may need to be renewed every 1-3 years depending on the issuer. Refresher training is important for keeping skills sharp.

What Can You Do with Pet CPR Training?

Here are some of the ways pet CPR training can be useful:

• Veterinary assistant – Veterinary practices may prefer assistants with pet first aid/CPR training. This is especially true for those assisting with surgeries or intensive nursing care for seriously ill pets. Proper training helps veterinary staff provide emergency lifesaving measures if needed and improves standard of care.

• Animal control/shelters – Animal rescue workers, handlers and shelter employees often have to handle injured, distressed or uncooperative pets. Pet CPR and first aid knowledge helps them monitor animals, provide quick care, and stabilize pets for transport to veterinarians. This improves safety.

• Dog walkers/pet sitters – Those providing pet services can use the skills to care for pets who fall ill while in their supervision, have allergic reactions, get injured while playing or walking, or experience other emergencies. They can provide immediate aid for pets while contacting the owners and vet. This provides additional services and improves pet safety.

• Groomers – Pet groomers may encounter emergencies like pets swallowing shampoo, being nicked by shears, having allergic reactions, or experiencing breathing issues from restraints or stress. Pet first aid training allows them to manage these situations. Proper training is invaluable for quickly recognizing and responding to