Okay, head entrapment isn’t an emergency unless the pet is having difficulty breathing. But it can be a common problem, especially with curious puppies! Cats and kittens have small, rounded heads that can easily slip into and out of tight spaces, but puppies (and full grown dogs) can find themselves trapped after a small change of position.
Where can your pet get stuck? Veterinarians have seen pets with their heads stuck between the slats on the back of a chair, in wire or chain-link fences, between the rungs of the banister on a staircase, or even inside jars!
When is head entrapment an emergency? A stuck pet can become hysterical and injure himself or his rescuers in trying to get free. If the opening is too small, the pet may have difficulty breathing.
So how do you get your pet free?
- Calm your pet down. Get him to stop struggling, then gently push him forward so that he isn’t strangling himself on the object. If a second person is available, they can stay on the tail end to keep the pet pushed forward.
- Protect yourself. You may want to muzzle your dog to keep him from biting — as long as he isn’t having trouble breathing. You may also want to wear heavy gloves to protect your hands and fingers.
- Use a lubricant like Vaseline to help your pet slide free. Grease the fur of the neck and the top of the skull; the crest of the skull is often the thickest part of the head and the impediment to freedom.
- Grasp the pet’s head and gently turn it sideways. Dog skulls are often flatter from top to bottom and widest from side to side, so a simple sideways turn will often do the trick.
- Check for cuts and scrapes around the head and neck from where the animal was struggling to get free. Clean them with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment.
If your pet has gotten his head stuck in a jar, you have a slightly more challenging problem on your hands. Lubricate both the pet’s neck and the neck of the jar. Wrap the jar in a towel for grip and gently pull. Try to extend your pet’s head into a straight line with his neck (like a sniffing/stretching position) to help the jar slip off. If you can’t get the jar off after a few tries, you may need a veterinarian’s help. Your vet can sedate the pet and remove the jar quickly and easily while your furry friend is limp.