Dog or cat electric shock (chewed cable)
Cut the power at the mains before touching the pet, then check breathing and head straight to the vet — pulmonary oedema can develop hours later.
Recognise the signs
- Found unconscious or twitching near a cable, with possible burn marks at the corners of the mouth
- Singed whiskers, fur around the lips, or visible mouth ulcers
- Coughing, fast breathing, or laboured breathing
- Pale or blue gums
- Drooling
- Collapse, seizure, or arrhythmia
First aid steps
- Switch off the mains power before approaching — touching a pet still in contact with a live cable will electrocute you.
- If the power cannot be switched off, push the pet clear with a wooden broom handle or similar non-conductive object — never with bare hands or anything metal or wet.
- Check breathing and pulse.
- If not breathing but has a pulse, give rescue breaths into the nose every 6 seconds.
- If no pulse, start CPR (30 compressions to 2 breaths).
- Phone the emergency vet and head to the practice.
Do NOT
- Do not touch a pet still in contact with a live cable.
- Do not assume a bright, walking pet is fine — pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) can develop 1–48 hours later.
- Do not give food or water until checked.
- Do not put cream, butter, or toothpaste on mouth burns.
While transporting to the vet
- Keep on side, airway clear.
- Cover with a light blanket; do not let the pet overheat.
- Phone ahead — the vet will prepare oxygen and chest X-ray.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Any electric shock, whether or not symptoms are present
- Coughing, fast or laboured breathing
- Burn marks around the mouth
- Collapse or seizure
- Blue or pale gums
Common causes
- Puppies and kittens chewing live cables — by far the commonest cause
- Christmas tree lights
- Phone and laptop chargers left on the floor
- Outdoor power tools and extension leads on damp ground
- Frayed cables behind furniture
- Lightning strike (rare)
What the vet will need to know
- Type and voltage of cable involved
- How long contact lasted, if known
- Whether the pet was unconscious
- Visible burns and where
- Current breathing rate (count breaths in 30 seconds and double)
- Time since incident
Aftercare
- Hospitalisation typically 24–72 hours with oxygen, IV fluids, and chest X-rays.
- Mouth burns may need pain relief and soft food for 1–2 weeks.
- Watch for cough or laboured breathing in the week after discharge.
- Cardiac monitoring for arrhythmia in severe cases.
Prevention
- Cable tidies, cord protectors and bitter-spray deterrent for puppies and kittens.
- Unplug Christmas tree lights when out of the house.
- Move chargers and laptops off floor level.
- Inspect outdoor extension leads for damage, especially after winter.
- Crate or pen puppies in cable-free zones during teething.
Breed-specific notes
- Puppies during teething (3–7 months) are highest risk regardless of breed.
- Kittens 8 weeks to 6 months are equivalent risk.
Frequently asked questions
My puppy chewed a cable but seems fine — does she really need a vet?
Yes. Pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs) and cardiac arrhythmias can develop hours after a shock that initially looks mild. Same-day vet check with chest X-ray is the right call every time.
How can I safely move my pet away from a live wire?
Switch off the mains first if at all possible. If you cannot, use a dry wooden broom handle, plastic chair, or rubber-handled tool to push the pet clear — never anything metal, wet, or your bare hands. Then check breathing.
How do mouth burns from cable chewing heal?
They typically settle over 1–2 weeks with pain relief and soft food. The corners of the mouth are commonly affected; severe burns may need vet dental treatment, pain relief and antibiotics. Long-term scarring is uncommon if managed early.