The use of non-food items such as socks and underwear could cause an obstruction (blockage), which may require emergency surgery. Grapes, xylitol-containing gum or candy, chocolate, garlic or onion foods are all dangerous to dogs.
Ingestion of chemical poisons such as a href=”https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/rat-poisoning-dogs”>rat poison/a>, a href=”https://www.petmd.com/dog/poisoning/dog-ate-fertilizer”>fertilizers/a>,,,,,,,, Chemical poisoning, such as poisonous rat and fertilizer or insecticides can also be a problem.
Inducing vomiting is a common treatment in emergency clinics when dogs have eaten something that they shouldn’t. You may believe that it’s easier to induce vomiting at home and save money.
You can find out more about the pros and cons of forcing your dog to vomit and how you should proceed if it appears that they may have consumed something harmful.
Can you make your dog vomit?
Your first reaction might be to force them to vomit if they eat an item that is not recommended. This is often the correct thing to do and what your vet will advise. Inducing vomiting can have serious consequences and is not recommended in all situations.
Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pet may have ingested a foreign substance or a potentially harmful substance. You can ask your vet if it’s safe to make your dog vomit, and then watch for the side effects.
In some instances, causing vomiting can cause greater damage than the toxin itself. Your vet might warn you against inducing vomit.
- If your dog vomits, certain caustic chemical products, like drain or toilet cleaners, can cause lesions and ulcers.
- When stomach acid is mixed with other toxins such as the zinc and aluminum phosphides in gopher or mole baits, they can produce a fatal phone-like gas. Making your pet vomit could cause lung damage in people or pets that breathe the gas.
- If you force your dog to vomit, sharp objects like plastic or glass can damage the esophagus.
- Due to the short noses of these dogs and their high prevalence for brachycephalic syndrome, they are more susceptible to aspiration pneumonitis. Aspiration pneumonitis can cause death in dogs. Aspiration pneumonia can also be caused by some toxins if a dog has a flat-faced face, regardless of whether it vomits. When dogs consume Tide pods the liquid detergent becomes very foamy, and can easily enter the lungs. In each case, your vet must decide if inducing vomiting is worth the risk.
- Inducing vomiting may be impossible if it is too late. Timing is crucial if your pet has ingested a toxic substance or foreign object. In general, vomiting should be induced within two hours after ingestion. Vomiting is not effective if a foreign body has moved into the intestines from the stomach. Vomiting is not safe or effective if your pet has shown clinical signs, such as seizures or a toxin that was already absorbed. Ingestions are not the only exception. Time is also of the essence.
How can you make a dog vomit using hydrogen peroxide?
It’s better to contact your vet instead of using hydrogen peroxide.
For many years, people have used hydrogen peroxide to cause vomiting in their homes. Hydrogen peroxide can cause severe stomach ulcers when given to dogs orally. Recent studies show that hydrogen peroxide may actually be more harmful than previously believed, particularly at high concentrations and if administered too much.
Avoid these other dangerous alternatives to hydrogen peroxide:
- Ingestion of excessive amounts of salt may cause hypernatremia, which can result in seizures, tremors and even coma.
- Dogs do not vomit when you stick your finger in their throat. The gag reflex in dogs is different from that of humans. It can be traumatic to the dog, and it may result in injuries of the throat. They might also bite you as a reflex.
- Olive Oil: If your pet vomits, olive oil can cause pancreatitis and diarrhea. It also increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
- Ipecac is a very dangerous method for causing vomiting. Ipecac can lead to potentially fatal heart problems such as abnormal heart rhythm and slow heartbeat.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Something It Shouldn’t
Don’t freak out if your dog eats something he shouldn’t have. Calling your vet immediately is the best course of action. Gather information as soon as possible about the pet’s diet, including what they ate and when. Call your vet and tell them everything that you know.
You will be advised on the best method to use if you decide that vomiting would be the best solution. Your vet may recommend that you visit their office immediately or go to the nearest emergency hospital. They can then handle the situation appropriately.
Call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-2435) if you can’t reach your vet for help determining if it is necessary to take your pet to an emergency room. The animal control center can make specific recommendations in life-threatening cases to induce vomiting.
It is important to always seek the advice of a veterinarian when attempting to induce vomiting. If done incorrectly, making a dog throw up is a medical procedure with life-threatening consequences. In cases of toxicology and foreign bodies ingestion, safely causing vomiting under your veterinarian’s supervision can save lives.
What Vets Do to Make Dogs Vomit
Vet clinics can administer medications to safely induce vomiting in your dog. In veterinary hospitals, the most commonly used drugs are:
- Apomorphine is injected in clinics and induces vomiting 94% of the time, usually within 15 minutes.
- FDA-approved for dogs, Clevor is an eyedrop. Within 30 minutes, it is effective at causing vomiting in dogs.