What if you give your dog too much hydrogen peroxide? The Ultimate Guide

What to use to make your dog vomit

If your vet has recommended you try to make your dog vomit, they will give you instructions about what to use and how much. Usually, your vet will recommend hydrogen peroxide (3% solution).

According to Dr. Jennifer Coates of PetMD, the following instructions can be followed to safely make your dog vomit in an emergency1. The amount of hydrogen peroxide to give is 1 milliliter (ml) per pound of body weight. For reference, one teaspoon is equal to approximately 5 ml, so 1 teaspoon for every 5 pounds of body weight. You may repeat the dose once more if your dog does not vomit within 15 minutes.

When to (or Not to) Make a Dog Throw Up

If a dog eats something harmful that he shouldn’t have, it’s possible he may vomit it up on his own. When that doesn’t happen, making your dog throw up something he’s eaten might seem like a good idea. But the reality is that inducing vomiting is something you should only attempt to do under the guidance of a veterinarian. There are very good reasons for this. Note that if your vet is not open, some services provide live chat and video options to connect you with a vet.

Some substances, such as batteries or other caustic materials or sharp objects, can cause dangerous and even lethal harm if regurgitated. Swallowed objects can cause blockages or perforations, and the act of inducing vomiting itself comes with risks, such as aspiration pneumonia, caused by inhaling toxic substances, usually gastric contents, into the lungs. You may consider soothing your dog’s throat with a pet-safe liquid respiratory supplement after inducing vomiting.

It can be dangerous to induce vomiting in brachycephalic breeds, such as Pugs or Pekingese, because of concerns of causing aspiration pneumonia, so be sure to check with a veterinarian first. Do not induce vomiting if your dog is lethargic or comatose or if he is having seizures. If your dog ingested something more than two-six hours ago, it may be too late to get him to vomit it up, depending on what was ingested.

The safest thing to do is to take your dog into the vet’s office immediately. However, if you can’t get there, you may have to induce vomiting at home. Talk with a veterinarian, or if your dog swallows something dangerous when your vet’s office is closed, call a pet poison control hotline to get advice from the experts before you proceed. When you call, be prepared to provide important information, such as what he ate, how much, and when; your dog’s weight, and any health problems he may have.

What if you give your dog too much hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide 3-percent solution is the recommended medication for making a dog throw up. Luckily, it is something many of us have in our medicine cabinet. It’s also a good idea to include a bottle in your dog’s travel first aid kit.

According to PetMD, hydrogen peroxide is a “topical antiseptic that is used orally as a home-administered emetic in dogs when clients cannot transport the patient to a veterinary hospital in a timely manner.” Hydrogen peroxide is an irritant to the dog’s intestinal tract and typically works within 10-15 minutes, recovering about 50 percent of the ingested contents of your dog’s stomach. The vomiting can last for up to 45 minutes, so make sure you dose your dog in a place where he will feel as comfortable as possible throwing up.

Hydrogen peroxide is generally considered safe when administered by a veterinarian. At home, however, you don’t have the luxury of veterinary expertise. Don’t make your dog throw up if he exhibits any of the following symptoms or conditions:

  • Already vomiting.
  • Severely lethargic.
  • Comatose.
  • Decreased swallowing ability.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Seizures or hyperactive activity.
  • Recent abdominal surgery or megaesophagus (a generalized enlargement of the esophagus).
  • Consumed corrosive agents, sharp objects, or drugs.
  • Clubs Offering:

    We’ve all been there. Our dogs eat something that they are not supposed to — a human medication, your other dog’s medication, or a tasty treat such as chocolate or raisins — and our first thought is, “how do I make my dog throw up?” Vomiting is a quick way to remove a harmful substance like chocolate from your dog’s body. Knowing how to make a dog throw up safely, however, is important. Here is what you need to know before you induce your dog to vomit.

    How to induce vomiting in your dog | Dr Justine Lee

    Sometimes dogs get into things they shouldn’t. For example, occasionally, puppies or dogs eat toxic foods, chemicals, or entire indigestible objects. When this happens, your dog may need to vomit up the product it ate to prevent further problems.

    But, before searching for “How to induce vomiting in dogs,” online, it’s just as important to know when not to make your dog vomit. In some cases, making your dog vomit can make things worse.

    So when should (or shouldn’t) you try to help your dog vomit? How do you do it? We provide a step-by-step guide on when and how to make a dog throw up.