Pet CPR Training
Emergency CPR and Airway Management for Dogs and Cats
Hours
Lectures
Content
About This Course
Cardiac and breathing emergencies can become life-threatening for dogs and cats within minutes. Pet CPR Training teaches learners how to recognize cardiopulmonary arrest, assess an unresponsive pet, prepare for CPR, manage the airway, provide rescue breathing, and perform appropriate chest compressions. The course covers CPR techniques for different pet sizes and body shapes, one- and two-rescuer response, special considerations, and post-CPR support. American Red Cross guidance emphasizes checking breathing and heartbeat, beginning CPR when appropriate, using chest compressions and rescue breaths, and continuing emergency care while seeking veterinary treatment.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the fundamentals of Pet CPR Training and cardiopulmonary arrest in dogs and cats.
- Recognize abnormal breathing, pulse, responsiveness, and other emergency indicators.
- Assess scene safety and determine when CPR should be started.
- Apply appropriate airway management and rescue breathing techniques.
- Perform chest compressions according to pet size, anatomy, and body shape.
- Coordinate one-rescuer and two-rescuer CPR responses.
- Recognize return of spontaneous circulation and provide appropriate post-CPR support while seeking veterinary care.
Requirements
- No previous veterinary or CPR experience is required to complete Pet CPR Training.
- Basic knowledge of dogs and cats is helpful but not required.
- Suitable for pet owners, pet sitters, animal-care workers, and pet-care professionals.
- Access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone for online learning.
- Commitment to following safe emergency response and animal-handling procedures.
This Course Includes
- 3+ hours of self-paced Pet CPR Training.
- Downloadable pet emergency checklists and CPR reference resources.
- Practical CPR scenarios covering dogs and cats of different sizes.
- Knowledge checks to reinforce learning.
- Mobile and desktop access.
- Learn anytime with 1-year unlimited access.
- Professional Certificate of Completion.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is ideal for pet owners, pet sitters, dog walkers, dog trainers, kennel staff, animal shelter workers, groomers, boarding facility employees, and other professionals responsible for the care and supervision of dogs and cats.
It is also valuable for organizations that want their animal-care teams to recognize cardiopulmonary emergencies and respond appropriately while arranging professional veterinary care.
Certification
Compliance and Regulatory Alignment
This course introduces pet CPR and emergency response principles consistent with recognized pet first-aid guidance. The American Red Cross provides CPR guidance for dogs and cats covering emergency assessment, chest compressions, rescue breathing, and continued care while transporting the animal to a veterinary hospital.
Why Compliance Training Matters
Pet CPR training helps caregivers recognize serious breathing and cardiac emergencies and respond quickly while veterinary assistance is being arranged. Proper training also emphasizes scene safety, appropriate handling, minimizing interruptions to compressions, and recognizing when emergency veterinary care is required. CPR is an emergency intervention and should not be treated as a substitute for professional veterinary evaluation.
Career Benefits
Pet CPR knowledge is valuable for professionals who regularly care for animals, including pet sitters, dog walkers, kennel attendants, groomers, boarding staff, animal shelter workers, trainers, and pet-care business owners.
Completing this course strengthens emergency response knowledge, improves professional preparedness, and demonstrates your commitment to responsible animal care and safety.
Course Curriculum
20 •3.5 hours
Module 1: Pet CPR Foundations and Cardiopulmonary Arrest
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Understanding Cardiopulmonary Arrest in Dogs and Cats
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Common Causes of Respiratory and Cardiac Arrest
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Normal Breathing, Pulse, and Circulatory Indicators
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Understanding the Pet CPR Chain of Survival
Module 2: Rapid Pet Assessment and CPR Preparation
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Confirming Scene Safety and Rescuer Protection
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Checking Responsiveness, Breathing, and Pulse
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Determining When CPR Should Be Started
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Positioning Dogs and Cats for Effective CPR
Module 3: Airway Management and Rescue Breathing
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Opening and Assessing the Airway
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Delivering Rescue Breaths to Dogs
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Delivering Rescue Breaths to Cats
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Monitoring Ventilation and Correcting Breathing Technique
Module 4: Chest Compressions and Complete CPR Technique
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Correct Hand Placement, Compression Rate, and Depth
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CPR Techniques for Small, Medium, and Large Dogs
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CPR Techniques for Different Canine Chest Shapes
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CPR Techniques for Cats and Very Small Pets
Module 5: CPR Quality, Special Considerations, and Post-CPR Care
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Coordinating Chest Compressions and Rescue Breaths
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One-Rescuer and Two-Rescuer Pet CPR
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CPR for Puppies, Kittens, Senior Pets, and Brachycephalic Breeds
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Recognizing Return of Spontaneous Circulation and Providing Post-CPR Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Pet CPR Training teaches learners how to recognize cardiopulmonary arrest, assess an unresponsive dog or cat, manage the airway, provide rescue breathing, and perform chest compressions while arranging veterinary care.
This course is designed for pet owners, pet sitters, dog walkers, groomers, kennel workers, animal shelter staff, trainers, boarding professionals, and other people responsible for dogs and cats.
Yes. The curriculum covers CPR preparation, airway management, rescue breathing, chest compressions, and response techniques for both dogs and cats. The American Red Cross also provides separate CPR guidance for dogs and cats.
No. CPR is an emergency response measure intended to provide immediate support during cardiopulmonary arrest. Veterinary care should be sought as quickly as possible, and CPR should continue while transporting the pet when appropriate.
Yes. The curriculum covers CPR techniques for small, medium, and large dogs, different canine chest shapes, cats, and very small pets.
Yes. After completing the course, you will receive a professional Certificate of Completion recognizing your knowledge of pet CPR, emergency assessment, airway management, rescue breathing, and chest compression techniques.