Some potential dangers inside our homes to our pets are obvious. We know better than to leave knives on the kitchen counter. Or place a bowl of grapes on the living room table. Or share our chocolate candy bags with our pets.
But many pet parents are unaware of a quick cause of death to pets inside the home? It is suffocation caused by food bags getting sealed around their heads. Curious, food-seeking dogs and cats can suffocate in as little as three to five minutes if they poke their heads in food bags and then the bag then seals around their heads and necks.
Here’s what happens. As the pet tries to lick the contents from the bag, a vacuum-like seal occurs inside that bag to cut off the pet’s oxygen. In a panic, the pet breathes faster and struggles, only to collapse and die of asphyxiation.
Alarming Pet Suffocation Stats
Officials from the Prevent Pet Suffocation organization report these startling facts:
- 50 percent of snack bag suffocation in pets occurs with people at home.
- The size, breed or age of the dog or cat does not play a role.
- 47 percent involved are potato chip bags.
- 13 percent involved pet food bags.
- 10 percent involved snack bags.
- Pets have also found food bags in the bedroom (16 percent), coffee table (14 percent) and inside vehicles (3 percent).
Know CPR
In my pet first aid/CPR classes I teach in person and via interactive ZOOM, I demonstrate how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on dogs and cats with the help of my four-legged teaching team: Pet Safety Cat Casey and Pet Safety Dogs Kona and Nova 6 Toes. We hope that you never have to use these life-saving techniques on your pets, but knowing CPR is a vital skill to protect pets.
Prevention Tips
Here are some quick and easy ways to reduce the risk of your pet suffering from food bag suffocation:
- Pour snacks in a bowl. Do not eat from the snack-sized bag.
- Get in the habit of using scissors to cut food bags into smaller pieces before placing in the trash can.
- Make sure the kitchen trash container features a secure lid or is inside a closed pantry.
- Store pet food and your snacks into airtight containers.
Learn more
You can learn more on ways to keep your cats and dogs safe by visiting https://www.protrainings.com/courses/pets. Consider taking our veterinarian-approved online pet first aid/CPR course. Enter this code: CPR – ARDEN MOORE and receive a 10 percent discount! And, if you are interested in becoming a Pro Pet Hero instructor, please click on the BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR button on the home page for more details.
