Making your dog vomit is one of the most unpleasant tasks for many dog owners. However, it’s among the best ways to expel any poisonous substance from your dog’s body and possibly save your pup’s life. Dogs, especially puppies and Labs, love dog treats and will quickly grab anything and gulp it down their throats. Similarly, you or any member of your family may have shared a snack with your dog without knowing the dangers.
Most human foods are toxic to your dog, and a sweet treat of chocolates can be the reason for your pet’s discomforts. Vets report that chocolates are the most common reason for dog poisoning among the list of foods that dogs can’t eat. Understanding how to make your dog throw up may help you cut down the expenses of having to visit an emergency veterinary clinic, higher costs of treatment, and save your dog’s life.
Article Summary
Why Is it Important to Learn How to Make a Dog Throw up?
Most dogs love treats and will gulp down anything they find interesting with or without your consent. The worst part is that they can be so quick that you may not get the chance to stop them half-course.
These substances can be lethal to your dog if you don’t act fast. Most toxins take between zero minutes to two hours to go past the stomach. Some more dangerous poisons may take only 30 minutes before they spread into your dog’s system and start causing disorders. Thus, you need to understand how to make a dog throw up and help your pooch get rid of the toxins sooner.
Throwing up is one of the best ways to help, but only effective when the substance is still in your dog’s stomach. As such, you should aim at cleaning at least 50% of the toxins from your dog’s body within 30 minutes.
However, there are exceptions on when to induce retching and when vomiting may be more dangerous to your pet (1). As a result, you need to consult with your veterinarian immediately you realize that your furry friend has eaten anything toxic. The vet will establish whether inducing vomiting may save your dog’s life and if it’s the ideal solution.
When Inducing Vomiting May Be Risky to Your Dog
Before you learn how to make a dog throw up, it’s essential to note that conditions will determine if you should induce vomiting or let your veterinarian handle the situation. First is the nature of the toxic substance your pet consumed. For instance, it may not be safe to make a dog throw up if the object your pooch swallowed has sharp edges and may cause more destruction if it passes the throat again.
The second significant risk of making your dog throw up is aspiration (a situation where your dog inhales its vomit accidentally). Don’t make your dog throw up if the substance it swallowed has higher risks of aspiration as these can cause severe lung complications and even lead to fatalities.
Similarly, only induce your dog when he hasn’t started experiencing signs related to the toxin. That’s because showing signs of poisoning in dogs may mean that the poison has succeeded in spreading into his system, and no amount of vomiting will bring it out.
However, discuss the situation with your vet before inducing vomiting in any circumstances. Here are some pointers to check:
- Don’t induce vomiting if your dog has already thrown up voluntarily.
- If it has taken over two hours from the time your dog ingested the substance.
- If the substance is corrosive or sharp and there’s a potential of it causing damage to your dog’s throat when coming out.
- If the toxin includes bones, as they can get stuck on the way back.
- When your dog is unconscious, suffering from any mental health complications (like seizures, depression, or hyperactivity), or behaves lethargic. That increases the risk of aspiration.
- Your dog can quickly inhale oily or petroleum-based substances such as kerosene, gasoline, or cooking oil if induced and develop fatal aspiration pneumonia.
- Do not make your dog throw up if he has known breathing and swallowing complications, like narrowing or enlargement of the throat, as that increases the risks of aspiration.
- Don’t make a dog throw up if he’s brachycephalic or short-faced, like Pug, Bulldog, or a Pekingese, for risk of aspiration.
- Consider your safety. It may be risky to induce your dog if he isn’t comfortable with you handling his mouth.
Methods of Making a Dog Throw Up
Most vets use apomorphine to induce vomiting in dogs. However, this remedy may be pretty expensive and only available under prescription-only provisions. Luckily, there are other scientifically proven home remedies that you can use on your dog. These include 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and washing soda crystal.
Hydrogen Peroxide
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, administering 3% hydrogen peroxide orally and in the correct dosage can safely induce vomiting. Veterinarians prefer it since it’s effective, easier to use, and relatively cheap compared to apomorphine.
Studies also show that this remedy is almost equally effective as apomorphine and has practically similar possible adverse and mild side effects.
However, veterinarians advise against using this product on cats as it’s too irritating on felines and may cause esophagus and stomach complications.
How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide
First, consider feeding your dog a bland meal before administering peroxide if he hasn’t taken anything in the past two hours. That will give him something to throw up and also provide the toxins with something to stick to.
Get a fresh, sealed 3% hydrogen peroxide. Avoid hair dye peroxides as they can be more poisonous to your dog than the substance they ate.
Use a clean plastic syringe, or a turkey baster for larger breeds, to administer the remedy.
Dosage
Vets recommend one tablespoonful of 3% hydrogen peroxide for every 10 pounds of a canine’s weight, but not exceeding three tablespoons for dogs that weigh over 45 pounds. However, adhere to your vet’s instructions if he has a different view since his decision depends on what will work for your dog.
Method of Administration
When your dog relaxes, gently open his mouth from the side and shoot the dosage towards the back teeth. Avoid aiming the syringe directly to the back throat since your canine may inhale some of the peroxides accidentally.
The Pet Poison Helpline also suggests that you pour the dose into a slice of bread and give if your dog would gladly grab a snack.
What to Expect After Your Dog Ingests the Dosage
Your dog will probably throw up 10 to 15 minutes after the first dose. You may consider walking the dog around to hasten the process.
If your dog doesn’t vomit after 15 minutes, you may consider adding a second dose. However, do not give your dog a third dose even if the canine doesn’t respond to the second one. Consider visiting your veterinarian instead.
Dogs often eat up their vomits, so stay close to ensure he doesn’t. Similarly, you may need to collect a sample of the puke and take it to your vet for analysis. And visit the clinic with your dog for further checkups and treatment even after you have successfully induced vomiting.
Washing Soda Crystals
Washing soda crystals (also known as sodium carbonate) is another effective remedy dog owners can use to make a dog throw up. Studies indicate that it’s less effective than apomorphine but a good alternative in an emergency since it’s readily available and affordable.
How To Give it to Dog
- Use one hand to lift your dog’s upper jaw while squeezing the upper lips above its teeth.
- Use the other hand to drop the washing soda crystal to the back of the throat.
- Stroke your dog’s neck with one hand while the other hand keeps its mouth shut.
- Wait until it licks its lips, an indication that it has swallowed the remedy.
Your dog may take several minutes to vomit the toxins. Remember to carry a sample of your dog’s spews to the vet for analysis.
What to Avoid When Inducing Vomiting in Dogs
Asking around or on the internet about how to make a dog throw up will lead you to several suggestions. Unfortunately, most of the common substances you’ll likely come across are either ineffective or may cause more dangers to your dog than provide a solution.
Some of the substances to avoid include salt, dishwashing liquid, syrup of ipecac, or mustard powder.
Inducing vomiting can save your dog’s life from the dangers of poisoning. However, it’s not the ideal solution to all intoxication cases. As a result, you must call your veterinarian and discuss what measure best fits your dog’s needs.
FAQ
How Can I Make My Dog Throw Up?
You can make your dog throw up by administering washing soda crystals or 3% hydrogen peroxide. However, consult with your vet first before taking any action.
How Can I Make My Dog Vomit Naturally?
You can use home remedies like hydrogen peroxide or washing soda crystals to help a dog vomit naturally. However, seek your vet’s approval before administering anything.
Can Hydrogen Peroxide Hurt a Dog?
Hydrogen peroxide may be safe for use to induce vomiting, but it also has some side effects on your dog. In some cases, it may make the canine lose appetite or taste food for a few days. Discuss with your vet about bland dieting in case this happens.
What Foods Make Dogs Throw Up?
Most human foods are toxic to dogs. However, the most notorious intoxication agents include chocolate, coffee, caffeine, xylitol products, alcohol, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts.
When Not To Make Your Dog Vomit?
Avoid making your dog throw up if it has any mentally related complications, when the substance it swallowed is corrosive or sharp if the material is petroleum or oil-based, and when it’s over two hours from the time of ingestion.
