As much as you try to prevent it, your dog might still get into something that they shouldn’t have. There are many precautions to ensure nothing is dangerous out in the open, but a determined dog will find their way into trouble. The best thing that we can be for our dogs is prepared. As pet parents, we’re always prepared to help, cuddle, and love them.
Knowing the proper steps to take and what to look out for can help you when it comes to dealing with a sick dog. It’s not always recommended that you induce vomiting, so knowing in what instances it’s safe to do so is important. Throwing up is a quick way to solve some problems, especially if you catch the issue early.
Read on to learn more about when (and when not) to make your dog throw up.
Why Might You Need To Induce Vomiting?
Dogs who get into something that is bad for their bodies will sometimes throw up on their own to get the substance out. However, this isn’t always the case.
If you notice that your dog is acting funny and they throw up, you should be sure to monitor their symptoms after the fact. It might help you to determine if this was a one-time thing or if you should seek professional veterinary help.
Dogs can get into foods they aren’t supposed to eat, items they aren’t supposed to chew on, and materials that can get stuck in their stomachs. It happens to the best of us, no matter how hard we try to avoid it. If you have seen your dog swallow something they aren’t supposed to, you might be able to induce vomiting right away to try to get it before it can do any damage.
The First Step Is To Call Your Vet
Before you induce vomiting in your dog, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian. However, pet parents are all too familiar with this situation: Your dog gets into the trash at 5:05 PM, but your local vet’s office closes at 5:00 PM.
Luckily, with AskVet, you can chat at any time of the day or night. AskVet members have 24/7 access to our virtual veterinary experts, who can help advise you on your next course of action.
Inducing vomit is not recommended to do on your own without supervision or assistance from a professional, but if you can’t get to a hospital, you might need to take things into your own hands.
When you work with a veterinarian, they can walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to induce vomiting safely. With a veterinary expert on the line, you can ask questions and explain the scene live to get the best care possible — start your chat with AskVet’s veterinary experts today!
Whether you are talking to your vet or an AskVet 24/7 vet, they will ask you your dog’s size and weight, what exactly you think it is they ate, at what time, and how much. This will help determine what your next steps should be. In many cases, they might urge you to get to an emergency vet clinic as soon as possible.
When Shouldn’t You Induce Vomiting?
It’s more likely than not that your vet will tell you to come into the office or visit an ER rather than induce vomiting in your pet on your own. It’s not always safe to make them throw up, even in a terrifying emergency.
Be aware of the following when considering whether or not to induce vomiting in your dog:
Timing
When exactly did your dog ingest the unwanted object? If it happened more than two hours before you’re reading this, then throwing up might not help them.
It’s likely that the substance has been absorbed into their bodies or begun the digestive journey. If it’s more recent than this, or you are unsure of the timing, you can try to induce vomiting.
Item Ingested Was Sharp or Solid
If your dog has ingested an item that is sharp or solid, trying to make them throw it up could create an esophageal injury. This goes for items with sharp edges, batteries, or anything solid.
Some items will pass through their digestion system fine and exit out normally, so it’s not always the end of the world if your dog swallows something they shouldn’t have. The problem arises when those items block the small and large intestines and create an obstruction later on.
Chemical Ingestion
Dogs who get into chemicals risk burning and damaging their esophagus and mouth when vomited back up. Though you might think it would be helpful to get the chemicals out of their bodies, you do risk extra damage to their throats.
Contact Animal Poison Control immediately if your dog has ingested any kind of chemicals.
Difficulty Breathing
We never want to make a dog who is struggling to breathe throw up. This could make a dog choke and breathe the vomit into their lungs.
The repercussions from this could be severe complications like fatal pneumonia. At this point, contact a vet immediately to figure out the next best steps.
Health Conditions
If your dog has underlying health conditions, inducing vomit isn’t always recommended. For instance, if your dog has recently had surgery (specifically close to their abdomen), it might not be safe.
Dogs prone to seizures might not do well with induced vomiting either. This is why it’s important for you to contact your vet or an emergency vet before trying anything out.
How To Make Your Dog Throw Up
If your vet gives you the go-ahead to induce vomiting, there is likely one method that they will tell you to do. They will talk you through it and let you know exactly what your dog should be able to handle.
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Most vets will recommend 3% hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting at home without the help of a trained professional. This is likely to be recommended if your dog has ingested something in the last two hours. Anything higher than 3% could be potentially harmful to your dog, so be sure to stick to this exact kind.
Vets have recommended one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per five pounds of dog, but you should never exceed over three tablespoons in a sitting. You might need to use a turkey baster to ensure that it’s going down your dog’s throat. Wait 15 minutes and see if anything comes up. If nothing does, you may administer another teaspoon if your vet approves it.
Monitor Your Pup
For the next few hours, watch your dog like a hawk. Take note of any side effects, like lethargy or diarrhea. If your dog is continuously vomiting for more than 45 minutes, you might want to reach back out to your veterinarian.
During this time, you will want to keep your pet comfortable. They might be distressed and in pain from vomiting. Stay by their side and give them a nice space to lie down in. Make a follow-up appointment with a veterinarian no matter how well the inducing goes to ensure that everything is alright with your furry friend.
24/7 Animal Advice: AskVet
When you are in a panic, and your vet doesn’t pick up the phone, it can send you spiraling. As dog parents, we want our companions to be safe and healthy at all times.
If you have any concerns, you can always reach out to a representative at AskVet. When you sign up, you get 24/7 access to live chats with a veterinarian. You can also meet with a certified pet coach or trainer to discuss behavioral issues, nutrition, overall wellness, and more.
The less time you have to spend worrying about what to do to help your pet, the more time you can spend building memories with your best friend. AskVet provides reliable and professional care to you whenever you need it so you can feel a bit more at ease in your everyday life!
Sources:
Emesis in dogs: a review | NCBI
The 10 Most Common Toxicoses In Dogs | ASPCA
Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Dogs: Presentation and Removal | TVP
