Dogs explore the world around them with their nose and mouth. While this can teach them about their surroundings, it can also get them into dangerous situations. It's quite likely that your dog will eat something dangerous at some point in his life, so it's best if you know how to make a dog throw up, just in case.
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Making a Dog Vomit…
It's best to learn how to make a dog throw up before you need to do this, because you're unlikely to have time when an emergency happens. However, remember that you should never make your dog throw up unless instructed to do so by a professional. You should have a list of emergency contact numbers in an easy-to-access location.
The list of emergency numbers should include your veterinarian's office, your local emergency veterinarian's office, the Pet Poison Helpline (855 213 6680) and the ASPCA Poison Control Center (888 426 4435). Keep them saved in your phone, and next to your pet's first aid kit, or somewhere else easily accessible.
Note that making a dog vomit isn't always recommend. For example, if your dog swallowed a solid item like a tennis ball, this may cause the dog to choke if you try to induce vomiting and thus bring it back up. Likewise, if your dog has ingested something acidic, it could do more damage to the dog's throat if he throws it up, because obviously the acid will burn.
The only reason to know how to make a dog throw up is for cases when, after consulting over the phone with a professional, they instruct you to do so. But if the issue is more serious, you may be directed by them to take your dog to seek emergency medical care.
How to Make a Dog Throw Up
1. Supplies You'll Need
You will need only two items for this. Once you know how to make a dog throw up, you can keep these necessary supplies in your dog's first aid kit. Here's what to buy:
- 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Syringe that measures in teaspoons/tablespoons
It's important that hydrogen peroxide is 3% specifically. If you're unsure about how to find 3% hydrogen peroxide, watch my instructions in the video above.
Regardless of which brand you buy, on the side of the bottle, you will see the active ingredients. Be sure that they state 3% hydrogen peroxide. You can see an example in the photo above.
2. How to Make a Dog Throw Up
In order to make your dog throw up, all you have to do is squirt the peroxide into your dog's mouth and make sure the dog swallows it.
The easiest way to do this is by using the syringe to squirt the peroxide into the back of your dog's throat. In most cases, the dog will instinctively swallow the liquid.
The proper dosage of 3% hydrogen peroxide for a dog to make them throw up is one teaspoon for every 5 pounds of dog's body weight. However, three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide should be the absolute maximum, no matter how much your dog weighs.
Something to keep in mind: 3 teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon. So for example, if your dog weighs more than 45 pounds, you should only give him 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide max. Giving anymore than this amount at one time could make the dog's stomach rupture, so it's crucial that you follow these dosage instructions.
After you've given 3% hydrogen peroxide, the dog should vomit within 2-5 minutes. If your dog doesn't throw up, you can re-dose it but for only 1 time, and not more.
Again, do NOT give your dog more than 2 doses of hydrogen peroxide!
If your pet doesn't throw up after two doses of hydrogen peroxide, you must seek veterinary help immediately. Do not take any chances. By this time, your pup will be quite uncomfortable, and whatever he ate will be working it's way through his digestive tract.
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