The PDSA is a vet charity that operates 48 pet hospitals all across the UK, provided 2 million veterinary treatments in 2022, and saved the lives of 141,000 pets with life-threatening conditions. PDSA Vet Nurse Walsh had a lot to tell Bored Panda about what owners can do to prevent their pets from getting stuck in food containers, and how to react if our curious companions do end up requiring a helping hand.

"The world is fascinating for our pets. It is full of lovely things to sniff, taste and explore, but there are plenty of general household items which can pose as hidden dangers to our pets that we may not be aware of," she told Bored Panda.

"The tasty scraps left at the bottom of tins and jars can be irresistible to pets, but sometimes getting in is much easier than getting out again! It’s all too easy for a tongue or paw to get trapped, and removing the container can result in injuries such as cuts as well. Getting stuck could even be life-threatening to your pet if their breathing and oxygen supply are affected. Always keep food containers stored well out of paws’ reach—in a cupboard or safely in a closed bin when empty," she suggested.

Walsh highlighted the importance of staying calm, cool, and collected during an emergency. "If your pet gets a container trapped on them, it can be hard not to panic. Just as with any accident, it’s important to try to stay calm, assess the situation, give your pet any necessary first aid, and call your vet. It’s helpful to remember the acronym: ‘Dr ABCs’ 

• Danger—keep yourself and others around you safe.
• Response—check if your pet responds to their name or touch.
• Airway—is their airway clear?
• Breathing—are they breathing?
• Circulation—do they have a pulse or heartbeat?
• Send—someone to ask for help!

The PDSA Vet Nurse explained that in an emergency, our pets may feel frightened and react differently than normal. For instance, if they're uncomfortable or in pain, they may even bite.

"Try to keep your voice as calm as possible and make slow, gentle movements to reassure them. If your pet is stuck, stay calm and gently try to remove the container. You may need to use a lubricant like butter or cooking oil, but be careful near their eyes and mouth. If you can’t remove the container safely, call your vet for advice," Walsh shared.

"While some pets may feel whatever they found in the container is worth the trauma, many will be distressed by the experience of getting stuck—each pet is an individual so it’s important to factor in their individual needs to help calm them down. Once safe and free from a container, some pets may wish to retreat to their ‘safe space’ to have some time alone to decompress; others may seek out comfort and attention from you."

The expert noted that it's important to allow our pets to do whatever they need to help them calm down after such a fright. "Learning about your pet’s body language will help you understand what they are trying to tell you."

The PDSA has created a free Pet First Aid guide to help pet owners in case of emergency, however, Walsh pointed out that it's "always best to seek vet advice should an accident or injury happen."

Poorly-designed food and item containers can trap animals that are way too hungry and eager. Oh, getting your mouth right next to the delicious food might be no problem. But because of the materials or the way the openings of the containers are shaped, your pets might have a bit of a difficult time getting their heads and the rest of their bodies out.

Ideally, any food containers that you have around the house won’t have openings large enough for your pets to squeeze into. However, some animals are more flexible and petite than others, so they might find their way inside no matter how many precautions you take. Now, there are three main approaches here, and it all depends on the unique situation you’ve got on your hands.

First of all, you could try to coax your beloved floof out of the container with toys, compliments, and promises of even more delicious food. If the situation isn’t too dire, the animal should be able to work its way out of the tight spot with their own body while you keep hold of the container. If they’re considerably distressed, talk to them, soothe them, and keep them from panicking.

Secondly, if your pet isn’t able to get themselves out of the tricky situation (or if they’re still busy munching on whatever’s inside), you could try to ever-so-gently remove them. Hold your pet and slowly pull the container off its head. If that doesn’t work, you might need to grab some lubricant: apply some cooking oil or petroleum jelly around the edge of the container. Then try pulling it off again. Gently, of course.

Finally, if that doesn’t work, you may need to cut or break the container. Use blunted scissors if you can and be extremely careful when breaking anything. Your priority is to ensure that your pet isn’t hurt! If you’re too worried about the risk, that’s where the third approach comes in. Get in touch with a professional, like your vet or somebody working at an emergency animal clinic. They’ll probably have tons more experience and will know what to do.

The key things to keep in mind while you’re figuring out how to get your pet unstuck include keeping an eye on its distress levels, as well as whether it’s having any difficulty breathing. Try to keep calm so you can keep your pet calm, even if you’re panicking inside. If it’s an actual emergency, do not hesitate to get in touch with your local animal experts or drive your pet to their places of work yourself. 

According to PETA, if you spot an injured wild animal outside, you should stop to help it. If you can move them safely, you could put them in a covered, well-ventilated carrier or box to get them to a veterinary hospital. You could also head to an animal control agency or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

However, if you’re unable to move the animal, get in touch with authorities and wait for them to arrive. In the meantime, consider placing a towel or blanket on the poor animal to help it stay calm. Though you should avoid giving them food or water. Whatever you do, don’t try to take care of the wild animal yourself. Unless you have a license, leave it to the professionals.

Have your pets ever gotten stuck like this, dear Pandas? What advice would you give your fellow readers and pet owners if their floofs ever got in a similar sticky situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Meanwhile, for some more silly pics of animals getting stuck while eating, check out Bored Panda’s previous feature right over here.