Has your best furry friend gobbled down something less-than-ideal for their digestive system? Before you break out in cold sweat, let's tell you that you're not alone. Dogs in all households are notorious for chomping down on things they're not supposed to.
And as your dog's trusted caregiver, it's crucial to know the best way to make your pooch throw up. Vomiting is the body's first line of defense when it comes to expelling potentially harmful things. But here's the key — you need to be able to help them do it safely.
How To Make A Dog Throw Up: The Steps To Follow.
1. Feed them
While it sounds counter-intuitive, some dogs might have an easier time throwing up if they've eaten something. If your dog has recently eaten, this probably isn't necessary but if they've not had a snack in a while, a small amount of food or treats should help.
2. 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Gently feed your dog a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution using the following measure: half to one teaspoon for every 10 pounds they weigh. So if your dog weights 30 pounds, that would be one and a half to three teaspoons.
You can use a turkey baster or just hold gently spoon it into your dog's mouth if it comes to that.
3. Stay by their side
Keep close to your dog while waiting, especially if they appear nervous or stressed out by the whole ordeal. Walking around with them is fine too, in fact a bit of light movement could even encourage them to vomit.
4. Visit the vet
If it's been over 10 minutes since you fed your dog the hydrogen peroxide solution and they've still not thrown up, feed them another dose. If there's still no reaction after this, don't attempt to use any more of the peroxide solution.
Your best bet at this point is to play it safe and visit a reliable veterinarian. Vets will have stronger, yet safe, medications on hand to help your dog vomit.
5. If your dog threw up
Once your dog has vomited, make sure that you move them away from the spot quickly. Most pooches won't have any problem with eating their sick, especially if throwing up has been stressful for them.
Additionally, you might need to collect a sample in a container for your vet to examine — especially if your dog has been ill or you suspect something more at play. You might want to avoid feeding your dog for an hour or more after they have thrown up (learn more on how long a dog can go without eating here).
Any Reason To NOT Try And Make My Dog Throw Up?
If you're not entirely sure of what your dog may have eaten, or if you suspect it might not be food-grade, throwing up might actually be more dangerous for your pupper. This is especially true if your dog swallowed sharp or awkwardly shaped items — don't take a chance and schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Also, if it's been more than three hours since your dog had their unpleasant 'meal', whatever's inside could already be on the way out or might require medical attention from a trained expert.
Note: If your dog ingested rat poison or a similar highly toxic substance, visit a vet right away.
