When and How to induce Vomiting in Dogs

In an emergency situation, it can be difficult to know how to proceed. In today's post, our Lakewood vets discuss induced vomiting in dogs, including when it should be performed, the risks associated with it, and how to make sure your dog remains safe. We also provide further education on how to care for dogs experiencing chronic vomiting or diarrhea.

Inducing Vomiting in Dogs

When they become aware of their dog ingesting something they should not have, many dog owners' first impulse is to try and get their canine companion to expel what they've ingested through vomiting. It is however the opinion of our Red Rocks Animal Center vets that inducing vomiting at home is not advisable except under extreme circumstances.

Before attempting to induce vomiting at home you should always call your primary or emergency vet or a veterinary poison control center for advice. They will be able to advise if it is necessary to induce vomiting and guide you through the process.

Though vomiting can safely bring most toxins up, a few will cause more damage by passing through the esophagus a second time. These include bleach, cleaning products, other caustic chemicals, and petroleum-based products.

Deciding whether your pup should be induced at home depends on what and how much your dog has consumed, and how much time has passed - there's a chance that the substance or amount consumed wasn't toxic, or that it has already moved past their stomach and into other parts of their body. In either case, vomiting would not be a helpful solution.

The only safe at-home substance that can be used to induce vomiting in dogs is 3% hydrogen peroxide. Use a turkey baster or feeding syringe to squirt the suggested dose of 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per 5 pounds of the dog’s body weight by mouth, with a maximum dose of 3 tablespoons for dogs who weigh more than 45 pounds. Always speak with a vet before attempting this procedure and never attempt to induce vomiting if it has been more than 2 hours since your pup ingested the harmful substance.

You should also be careful to not let your dog inhale the solution as it can enter the lungs and cause asphyxiation.

If your dog has a pre-existing health condition or there are other symptoms, inducing vomiting may result in other health risks. If induced vomiting is necessary, having a qualified veterinarian induce vomiting in-clinic is preferable.

When Not to Induce Vomiting

Vomiting should never be induced in a dog that is:

• Having a seizure or recently had a seizure
• Lethargic
• Unresponsive or unconscious
• Already vomiting

Hydrogen peroxide should not be used to induce vomiting in cats, as it is too irritating to kitties' stomachs and can cause issues with the esophagus.

Other Facts About Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs

Vomiting vs. Regurgitation

Regurgitation is when your dog appears to "burp" up undigested food, this is a passive process where food is expelled, typically from their esophagus. This often happens because a dog ate or drank too quickly. Vomiting is a dynamic process, with the dog actively using its stomach muscles. The material produced by vomiting will look digested.

Causes of Vomiting & Diarrhea in Dogs

There are many reasons why your dog might vomit, and sometimes healthy dogs will fall ill for no apparent reason and then quickly recover.

Perhaps your pooch dined on too much grass or ate something their stomach simply doesn't agree with. This type of vomiting is often a one-time occurrence that is not accompanied by other symptoms and is generally not a reason for concern.

That said, potential causes of sudden or severe vomiting can be related to diseases, disorders, or health complications such as:

When To Worry About Vomiting in Dogs

In some cases, vomiting can indicate a serious veterinary emergency. If your dog displays any of the following symptoms bring them to the nearest animal emergency clinic right away:

• Vomiting in conjunction with other symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, fever, anemia, etc.
• Suspected ingestion of a foreign body (such as food, objects, children’s toy, etc.)
• Vomiting a lot at one time
• Vomiting with nothing coming up
• Vomiting blood
• Chronic vomiting
• Continuous vomiting
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Seizures

Chronic Vomiting

If your dog has been vomiting frequently or it has become a long-term or chronic issue, this is also a cause for concern, especially if you've noticed any additional symptoms such as abdominal pain, lethargy, weakness, or weight loss.

If your dog is having frequent bouts of vomiting it is always best to have them checked out by a veterinary professional to find the underlying cause that is making them ill.

Long term, recurrent vomiting can be related to: