What should I do if my pet is electrocuted? 

Electrocution is thankfully a relatively rare medical condition seen in our pets. One study looking at 35 years of data from 26 veterinary universities found that in that time period, there were only 280 cases of electrocution in dogs and 92 in cats. That equates to approximately 8 cases a year in dogs and less than 3 cases a year in cats. 

Although rare, electrocution when it does occur can be a serious injury for our pets and can have devastating consequences. Understanding the risk factors and steps to take should you find yourself dealing with a pet that has been electrocuted are imperative to improving their chances of having a favourable outcome. 

Why do pets get electrocuted? 

The most common cause of electrocution in pets is chewing of live electrical cables. Other causes include faulty electrical wiring in the house or environment the pet is in, coming into contact with fallen power lines and external electrical sources when outside of the home environment and (rarely) lightning strikes.  

How can I prevent my pet from getting electrocuted? 

Not all causes of electrocution can be prevented, for example lightning strikes are out of our control, however the most common cause of electrocution in pets is chewing on cables and this is something we can definitely prevent. All electrical cabling should be out of reach of your pets, so they do not have access to it to chew on it. Particular attention should be paid to small gaps and places in the home that seem out of reach but are especially accessible to smaller animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits. Extension leads are often used to allow access to electrical equipment in harder to reach areas but can be a particular hazard to our pets as they present a novel chewable item. Ensure they are stored carefully and out of reach of pets.  

What effects can electrocution have on my pet?  

Electrocution can have a number of serious effects on your pet. The extent of the injuries often depends on the amount of electricity, the current, your pet came into contact with and the duration of the contact, with the worst effects usually being associated with higher currents and longer durations. Despite this, it is important to remember any contact with electricity can have serious effects on your pet so they should be thoroughly examined by a veterinary surgeon after any suspected electrocution even if there are no visible injuries, as some injuries can take 1-2 days to become apparent.  

Possible effects of electrocution on your pet include: 

Burns  

Electrocution commonly causes burns at the site of electrical contact, often the mouth if cables are being chewed. The burns can then extend further on the body to areas where the electrical current has travelled to. 

Pain 

Electrocution and some of the associated injuries such as burns and lung damage are painful, and electrical current directly stimulates nerves. As a result, your pet is likely to be in pain following an electrocution.  

Breathing difficulties  

Electrocution can cause damage to the lungs which can result in fluid building up in the lungs and subsequent breathing difficulties. 

Organ damage  

As well as damage to the lungs, electrocution can lead to damage in other parts of the body, depending on exactly how the electrical current moves through the body. 

Seizures  

Contact with the electrical current can have effects on the brain resulting in seizures or collapse in some cases.  

Cardiac arrhythmia or arrest  

This is when the electrical current disrupts the normal heart rhythm and consequently causes the heart to beat erratically (arrhythmia) or even to stop (arrest).  

Death 

In extreme cases electrocution can sadly lead to death in pets.   

What should I do if my pet is electrocuted? 

If your pet is electrocuted or you suspect they have been electrocuted, it is important not to panic and to take the following steps: 

1) Turn off the power  

Assess the power supply or electrical source they were in contact with: is the power turned off? If it is not turn it off now.  

Is it safe to approach the animal? Remember electricity can be conducted through surfaces and water so touching your pet whilst they are in contact with electricity may result in you becoming electrocuted and/or seriously injured yourself.  

Ensure it is safe to approach your animal and that the electrical source has been removed before doing so. You can’t help them if you become a casualty too! 

2) Check for breathing and heartbeat  

Once you have turned off the electricity and ensured it is safe to approach check whether your pet is breathing and if they have a heartbeat. You can check their pulse in their groin if you are struggling to detect a heartbeat through their chest. If they are not breathing and do not have a pulse start CPR and phone your veterinary surgeon immediately for over the phone advice – they will be able to talk you through it. 

3) Check for injuries and burns  

If your pet is breathing and has a heartbeat check them for any signs of injuries. Common injuries from electrocution include burns around the area where they were in contact with the electrical source. If your pet was chewing on a wire, it is likely that these burns may be around the mouth and front paws.  

If the wire is still in your pet’s mouth, once the electrical source has been turned off you can attempt to remove this if safe to do so. Please keep in mind there is a risk you could be bitten by your pet when attempting to do this as they may not be fully conscious and may be in pain, only attempt this if you feel able and safe to do so. If not, monitor them closely to ensure it is not ingested and take them to your local veterinary surgeon for further assessment and removal of the cable.  

4) Contact your veterinary surgeon  

If you have not done so already phone your veterinary surgeon for advice and they will explain to you the next steps and where to take your pet to be assessed further. In the meantime, keep your pet warm and dry and offer them water regularly. Ensure there is no further hazards in the environment and other pets or humans in the environment are not at risk. 

Summary: 

Further reading 

Lightning Stroke and Electrpcution in Animals – MSD Vet Manual  

What should I do if my dog is electrocuted? – VetsNow