How to Induce Vomiting in a Puppy

Knowing how and when to induce vomiting could save your puppy's life in an emergency.

Puppies are notorious for putting things they shouldn't in their mouths. If your puppy ingests something poisonous or toxic, inducing vomiting immediately could save your pet's life. However, at other times, inducing vomiting can do more harm.
It's always best to consult with a veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic before inducing vomiting. You can also contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's pet poison control line for advice.
Knowing when and how to induce vomiting is something every pet guardian should be able and prepared to do.

Things You'll Need

• Bread, crackers or a few tablespoons of dog food
• Syringe that measures cubic centimeters (cc)
• 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• Scale (as needed for information)

Instructions

Inducing Vomiting

1. Feed your puppy some bread or crackers, or a few tablespoons of dog food. It will be easier for her to vomit if she has something in her stomach.

2. Weigh your puppy on the scale if you don't already know her weight.

3. Using a syringe, measure 3 cubic centimeters (cc) of hydrogen peroxide for every 20 pounds of your dog's body weight. For example, if your puppy weighs 10 pounds, you will draw up 1.5 cc of hydrogen peroxide.

4. Open your puppy's mouth slightly and insert the syringe.

5. Squirt the hydrogen peroxide toward the back of the puppy's mouth.

6. Wait 10 minutes. If the puppy hasn't started vomiting, give her the same amount of hydrogen peroxide again. Wait 10 minutes. If the puppy hasn't started vomiting within 10 minutes of the second dose, call your veterinarian immediately.
   If the puppy does begin vomiting, take her to a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately. She will be in need of follow-up medical care.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not induce vomiting using Syrup of Ipecac unless you are specifically instructed to do so by a veterinarian. If your puppy is already vomiting, is unconscious, is having trouble breathing or cannot stand on her own, do not induce vomiting. If it has been more than two hours since the puppy ingested the toxic substance, do not induce vomiting. Do not induce vomiting if your puppy has swallowed bleach or certain other household products. Some of these cause more harm coming back up and will burn the puppy's esophagus and mouth.

References

• Dog First-Aid 101
• Pet Place

Resources

• Animal Poison Control