A rat is choking and opening its mouth—what should you do? - briefly
Hold the rat, tilt its head back, and apply a gentle back blow or perform a careful finger sweep to remove the blockage; if the object does not clear, bring the animal to a veterinary emergency immediately.
A rat is choking and opening its mouth—what should you do? - in detail
When a small rodent shows signs of airway obstruction—mouth gaping, labored breaths, or inability to swallow—immediate action can prevent fatal outcomes.
First, secure the animal to limit movement. Gently hold the rat behind the forepaws, supporting the body with one hand while the other hand stabilizes the head. Avoid excessive pressure that could cause additional injury.
Next, examine the oral cavity. Use a soft, narrow instrument such as a blunt-ended tweezers or a cotton swab to look for visible foreign material. If an object is seen and can be grasped without pushing it deeper, carefully extract it. Do not attempt blind sweeps that might damage delicate tissues.
If no obstruction is visible, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver suitable for rodents:
- Position the rat’s head slightly downward.
- Place a fingertip just behind the sternum, applying gentle, quick pressure inward and upward.
- Release the pressure immediately; repeat up to three times if the airway remains blocked.
After each attempt, observe whether the animal resumes normal breathing or swallows. If breathing improves, keep the rat calm, monitor for residual distress, and provide a warm, quiet environment.
Should the obstruction persist, consider emergency veterinary care. Transport the rat in a secure container, maintain body temperature, and inform the clinic of the choking incident so that appropriate airway management can be prepared.
Preventive measures include regular cage cleaning, safe feeding practices, and avoiding small, hard items that could be ingested. Maintaining a diet of appropriately sized food reduces the risk of future choking events.