Ace the 2026 VetSkill Level 2 First Aid Challenge for Cats & Dogs – Be the Pawsome Pet Hero!

The main idea is to keep the airway open and avoid obstruction while you support breathing. An unconscious dog or cat should be laid in a breathable position that maintains an open airway, such as the recovery position when appropriate. This position helps prevent the tongue and soft tissues from blocking the throat and allows fluids to drain away from the airway, reducing the risk of aspiration and making it easier to observe or assist with breaths. Lying on the back with the head hyperextended can actually close the airway; standing on all fours isn’t a workable position for giving support; and having the head underwater is dangerous. So the recovery-position approach is the best way to support breathing in an unconscious patient.