Red Cross Pet CPR Training teaches pet owners and animal care professionals how to recognize an emergency and provide immediate care to a dog or cat until veterinary help is available. This course focuses on practical, lifesaving actions including assessing your pet, providing rescue breathing and CPR when indicated, and responding to choking and common urgent conditions.

Who this course is for
This training is ideal for pet owners, pet sitters, groomers, veterinary office support staff, dog walkers, kennel/daycare teams, and anyone who wants to feel prepared to help a pet in distress. No prior medical training is required.

What you’ll learn
Participants will learn how to:
• Recognize signs of illness or injury and determine when urgent care is needed
• Approach and handle pets safely (protecting yourself and reducing pet stress)
• Perform a quick assessment: responsiveness, breathing, and circulation
• Provide rescue breathing for dogs and cats
• Perform CPR for dogs and cats (including size considerations)
• Respond to choking and airway obstruction
• Control bleeding and manage wounds until veterinary care is reached
• Recognize and respond to shock
• Identify common emergencies such as poisoning, heat emergencies, seizures, and trauma basics
• Transport tips and how to communicate effectively with a veterinary clinic/emergency hospital

Course format
This course is an online only course. Please allow a few hours for the delivery of your online course.

Important notes
This course is designed for first aid and emergency response education for pets and does not replace veterinary care. Always seek veterinary evaluation after an emergency.