When can I give Hydrogen Peroxide to my dog?
Our furry friends are like little kids and do not know when ingesting something can be harmful to them. They might like the taste and smell and eat a particular toxic food or chemical. When one comes across their dog has eaten a toxin, inducing vomiting is the first line of action and rightly so as it removes the bulk of toxins ingested. Although inducing vomiting alone does not guarantee recovery and in the event of a dog being intoxicated the best course of action is to rush your dog to emergency veterinary services. Although when access to emergency services is delayed hydrogen peroxide and other vomit-inducing substances can be used as a preliminary measure to remove the ingested toxins from the digestive tract.
What is hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical and an irritant which is precisely why it is given to induce vomiting. It irritates the digestive tract including the oesophageal lining and the bowel lining which in turn induces vomiting.
How to administer hydrogen peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide can be administered with syringe-like other liquids in the case of dogs. Please make sure the hydrogen peroxide solution does not exceed three percent in concentration as it may do damage with more than that concentration and can lead to excessive irritation of the digestive lining and can lead to further complications.
How long does it take to induce vomiting through hydrogen peroxide?
The time taken to induce vomiting differs in every dog because of various factors such as the weight of the dog, the presence of food in the stomach, and also the amount given. Generally, it takes about 5-15 minutes to induce vomiting in usual cases. It can also occur that the dog may not vomit after the first dose in which case repeating the dose 1 time at an interval of 20 minutes might help the dog to vomit.
When not to induce vomiting?
Inducing vomiting in cases where your dog has eaten food like grapes or chocolate can be a good idea but it can also have consequences in other cases. If your dog has ingested sharp objects, inducing vomiting can be a bad idea as those sharp objects can cut the tissue on the way back up. Corrosive liquids can also do damage as they can burn the lining and tissue while being expelled. In case of such objects, it’s best to contact your vet who might suggest the best way to get the toxins or objects out which might also require surgery in certain cases.
What to do if my dog does not vomit after consuming hydrogen peroxide?
If your dog does not vomit after the first dose take them for a walk or gently massage the stomach which might help the hydrogen peroxide to be mixed into the stomach contents. If this also does not work one must repeat the dose another time. If vomiting still does not occur it’s best to contact your veterinarian. Usually, hydrogen peroxide induces vomiting in most dogs but there can be exceptions and one must take adequate medical advice from the vet in that scenario.
What precautions should I take while administering hydrogen peroxide?
Although hydrogen peroxide is a safe way to induce vomiting in dogs there should be certain precautions taken to administer it. Firstly one should not give it to dogs who are unconscious or having seizures. One must also keep in mind that certain objects can do damage while inducing vomiting and hydrogen peroxide should be avoided in these cases.
Also, it should be made sure that the concentration does not exceed 3% and the amount given should be first consulted with a veterinarian.
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