How to Induce Vomiting in Dogs (and Should You?)

Dogs often explore the world around them with their mouths, so before you know it, your beloved pet may eat something harmful. From ingesting chocolate to household cleaning products, dogs may need immediate human intervention to avoid serious health consequences. With no time to waste, you’ll have to act quickly — but does the situation call for making your dog throw up?

Before you act, it’s important to know that making a dog vomit comes with a variety of risks and should only ever be done under the guidance of an experienced veterinarian. In most cases, you should seek medical attention immediately and not try any treatment on your own.

*Note — if your dog has already eaten something toxic (or something you're worried is harmful), go ahead and call an emergency veterinary hospital right now. The information in this article can be useful knowledge for future incidents, but there's no time to waste in a current emergency situation.

When to (or not to) make your dog throw up

We’ve all been there — our pet eats something they shouldn’t, and we’re left panicking and wondering just how bad it is for them. Fortunately, you can lessen the worry by becoming more familiar with common toxins ingested by dogs and when inducing vomiting may be appropriate.

That said, it can’t be stressed enough that attempting to make your dog throw up is something that should only be done under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. If your pal eats anything concerning, call your nearest emergency animal hospital or the pet poison helpline for guidance.

Even if your dog seems fine, seek professional help. Although some toxins may cause quick gastrointestinal (GI) upset, most don’t cause serious harm until they leave the GI tract and are absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, they are distributed to the body’s tissues. The goal of inducing vomiting is to remove the toxin from the body before it can be absorbed. If your dog throws up the harmful toxin before it can be absorbed in the intestines, toxicity can effectively be prevented.

Common toxins ingested by dogs

Call the pet poison helpline or your local emergency veterinarian if you suspect your dog has consumed any of the following:

• Over-the-counter medications — Anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen), vitamins, cold and flu products, and antihistamines are common dangers.
• Human prescription medications — Medications like pain relievers, antidepressants, and heart medications top the list. Ingestion is usually accidental, although owners sometimes dose pets with their own medications without understanding the potential consequences.
• Toxic foods — Grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions are well-known and common offenders. Others are less well-known. For example, did you know that the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is added to sugar-free gums, candies, and even certain peanut butters, is a common toxin?
• Chocolate — Chocolate is technically a food, but it is responsible for many toxicities and has earned its own category.
• Veterinary medications — Flavorings added to veterinary products to make them easier to administer can make them so enticing that pets will sniff them out and eat the entire bottle.
• Household products — Cleaning chemicals, paints, glues, and laundry detergents (including pod-type products) are common household toxins.
• Rodenticides — Designed to attract and kill rodents, mouse and rat baits can also allure dogs.
• Insecticides — Pest products, like ant baits, that are sweetened to attract bugs also tempt pets.
• Plants — Lilies, azalea, oleander, and sago palm are included in the list of plants poisonous to pets.
• Garden products — Fertilizers, herbicides, and decaying compost can also be tempting toxins for pets.

When not to induce vomiting

Although vomiting can safely bring up many toxins, it can still be very dangerous to make your dog throw up on your own. This is because certain substances can cause even more damage by passing through the esophagus a second time than by moving through the GI tract. Do not attempt to make your dog throw up if they’ve eaten any of the following:

• Caustic chemicals, such as bleach and other cleaning products, that can cause chemical burns to sensitive esophageal tissue
• Petroleum-based products that can be aspirated into the lungs during vomiting
• Any sharp objects or items with hard corners/ends
• Medications (whether prescribed, over the counter, or recreational)
• Strings, cords, or anything that could become tangled

Ingested material stays in the stomach for about four hours before moving on to the small intestine. If it has been less than four hours (preferably less than one hour) since ingestion of the toxin, inducing vomiting may be successful; however, if it has been more than four hours, vomiting is less likely to help.

Other instances when vomiting is not a good idea

Never induce vomiting in a dog that is unresponsive or unconscious. If your dog has recently had surgery or has a history of gastrointestinal issues, get professional medical attention immediately rather than trying to make them throw up.

Likewise, do not cause vomiting if your dog is having a seizure, as they will be unable to protect their airway and could aspirate material into the lungs or choke. Don’t induce vomiting if your dog has recently had a seizure either, as the stimulation of vomiting may cause another one. It should also go without saying that it is not useful to cause vomiting in a dog that is already vomiting.

Seek veterinary help immediately if you believe your pet has ingested a toxin or if you are not comfortable inducing vomiting at home.

How to induce vomiting in a dog safely

Even when you know how to induce vomiting in your dog safely, you should still only do so under the guidance of a qualified professional. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve helped your dog throw up before — call your veterinarian first.

The only safe home substance that can induce vomiting is 3% hydrogen peroxide. Never use salt, syrup of ipecac, mustard, or any other home remedies, as these can cause more damage or contain other potentially harmful ingredients. Keep in mind there is no guarantee vomiting will remove the toxin — your dog will still need medical care afterward, even if it feels unnecessary.

If your veterinarian has given you the go-ahead, follow the steps below to safely induce vomiting in dogs:

1. Get 3% hydrogen peroxide and make sure it has not expired (it will most likely not work if it has). A fresh bottle will be most effective. Do not use any hydrogen peroxide solution that is stronger than 3%, as it could cause serious harm to your pet.
2. Load the correct amount of hydrogen peroxide recommended by the veterinarian or pet poison expert you have spoken with into an oral syringe or turkey baster. Do not go with any amount you may find online by yourself, as the proper dosage depends on a dog’s size and how much of the toxin they have consumed.
3. With your dog sitting or standing, gently pull back their upper lip and insert the end of the oral syringe or baster into the corner of their mouth.
4. Hold your dog’s head upright and slowly push the hydrogen peroxide into their mouth. They should swallow the peroxide as you go.
5. After the entire amount has been given, walk your dog around the yard to encourage the peroxide’s bubbling action to irritate their stomach and cause vomiting. Do not let them eat anything until they have thrown up, and don’t let them eat their own vomit.
6. Monitor your dog closely both during vomiting and after. If they keep vomiting after 45 minutes have passed and/or are exhibiting other signs of gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea, seek immediate veterinary attention.

If your dog has not vomited after 15 minutes and your veterinarian has given you approval to try again, give them a second dose of the same amount. If your dog does not vomit after two doses, take them to the closest emergency veterinarian immediately.

Remember; making your dog throw up is not a substitute for medical attention, and it should only be done under the guidance of a qualified veterinary professional. You will still need to follow up with your pet’s veterinarian as soon as possible, and they may provide further treatment even if you have successfully helped your dog throw up the harmful substance.