How To Make A Dog Throw Up: Essential Safety Guide

That heart-stopping moment when you see your dog swallow something they shouldn’t is a panic-inducing experience for any pet parent.

Your mind races, and one of the first questions that likely pops into your head is, “Should I make them throw up?” In certain situations, knowing how to make a dog throw up can be a life-saving first aid skill.

However, it’s a procedure that comes with significant risks and should never be undertaken lightly.

The decision to induce vomiting is a serious one and, in most cases, should only be made under the direct guidance of a veterinarian.

This essential safety guide is designed to provide you with critical information, not to replace a vet. We will walk you through when it might be necessary, and more importantly, when it is absolutely dangerous to induce vomiting.

We will also cover the only vet-recommended method to use at home and explain why other so-called home remedies should be avoided.

Your primary goal in an emergency is to act as a safe and calm first responder for your dog. This guide will empower you to make the right call when every second counts, ensuring you do what’s best for your beloved companion.

CRITICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for emergency informational purposes only. You must call your veterinarian, the Pet Poison Helpline, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center BEFORE you attempt to induce vomiting in your dog. An expert can tell you if it is safe and necessary for your specific situation. Acting without professional guidance can cause severe, irreversible harm or even be fatal to your dog.

The owner’s face shows concern as they talk to a vet. The focus is on the act of calling for professional help first.

Table of Contents

The Golden Rule: Call a Professional First

Before you do anything else, you must call a professional. This is not a skippable step. The experts on the other end of the line will ask you critical questions and give you the most accurate advice for your unique situation.

Have this information ready when you call:

What did your dog ingest? Be as specific as possible (e.g., “three 200mg ibuprofen pills,” “dark chocolate,” “part of a rubber toy”).
How much did they ingest? An estimate of the quantity is crucial.
When did it happen? The time of ingestion is very important. Inducing vomiting is most effective within 1-2 hours.
Your dog’s details: Their breed, approximate weight, age, and any pre-existing health conditions.
Current symptoms: Is your dog acting normally, lethargic, agitated, or showing any other signs of distress?

Who to Call – Save These Numbers NOW:

Your Veterinarian: This is your best first call.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (A fee may apply)
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (A fee may apply)

Paying a consultation fee to a poison control center is a small price for information that could save your dog’s life. They can tell you with certainty whether the substance is toxic and if inducing vomiting is the right course of action.

When Inducing Vomiting is DANGEROUS

Knowing how to make a dog throw up is only half the battle; knowing when NOT to is even more important. Inducing vomiting in the wrong situation can cause catastrophic damage.

NEVER Induce Vomiting If Your Dog Has Ingested:

Caustic or Corrosive Substances: This includes bleach, drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and other harsh chemicals. These substances cause severe burns on the way down, and making your dog vomit will cause a second round of burns on the way back up, potentially damaging the esophagus, throat, and mouth beyond repair.
Petroleum Products or Hydrocarbons: This includes gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, and motor oil. These substances are easily inhaled (aspirated) into the lungs during vomiting, which can cause a severe and often fatal form of pneumonia called aspiration pneumonia.
Sharp or Pointy Objects: This includes glass, sharp plastic shards, needles, screws, or bones. Forcing these objects back up can cause tearing, lacerations, or punctures of the stomach and esophagus, leading to internal bleeding and life-threatening complications.
Batteries: The acid inside batteries can leak and cause severe corrosive damage.

NEVER Induce Vomiting If Your Dog Is:

Already Vomiting: Their body is already trying to expel the substance.
Unconscious or Very Lethargic: A groggy or unconscious dog has a high risk of aspirating vomit into their lungs because their gag reflex is impaired.
Having a Seizure or Is Neurologically Unstable: This includes showing signs like stumbling, twitching, or extreme agitation.
Having Trouble Breathing: Inducing vomiting can exacerbate respiratory distress.
A Brachycephalic (Flat-Faced) Breed: Breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus have a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia due to their facial structure. The decision to induce vomiting in these breeds should only be made with extreme caution and under direct veterinary advice.

The ONLY Safe Method to Make a Dog Throw Up at Home

If and only if you have been instructed by a veterinarian or poison control expert to induce vomiting at home, there is only one method considered safe: 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Do NOT use any other substance. Do not use salt (can cause life-threatening salt poisoning), syrup of ipecac (no longer considered safe), mustard, or trying to stick your fingers down your dog’s throat. These methods are ineffective and dangerous.

What You Will Need

3% Hydrogen Peroxide: It MUST be 3% concentration, the kind commonly sold in brown bottles in pharmacies. Higher concentrations are corrosive and toxic. It must also be a fresh, unexpired bottle, as peroxide loses its potency over time. If it doesn’t fizz when you pour it, it’s too old to work.
A Feeding Syringe or Turkey Baster: This allows you to administer the liquid safely into your dog’s mouth. A spoon can work in a pinch, but it’s messier and less precise.
A Timer
Your Dog’s Leash
Cleaning Supplies: You will need paper towels, a bucket, and cleaning spray for the aftermath.

Step-by-Step Guide to Inducing Vomiting with 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Prerequisite: You have spoken to a vet or poison control and they have given you the green light to proceed.

Step 1: Calculate the Correct Dosage
The standard, vet-recommended dose is 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 5 pounds of your dog’s body weight.

Maximum Dose: Never give more than 3 tablespoons (45 mL) in a single dose, regardless of how large your dog is. Overdosing on hydrogen peroxide can cause severe and painful gastric irritation and bleeding.

Dosage Examples:

10-pound dog: 2 teaspoons (10 mL)
25-pound dog: 5 teaspoons (25 mL) or 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons
50-pound dog: 10 teaspoons (50 mL), but the max dose is 3 tablespoons (45 mL), so you would give 3 tablespoons.
75-pound dog: The max dose is 3 tablespoons (45 mL).

Use a proper measuring spoon or a syringe with markings to get the dose right. Do not eyeball it.

Step 2: Administer the Hydrogen Peroxide
Your dog is not going to like the taste, so be prepared.

Get into Position: Have your dog stand. Do not have them lie down, as this increases the risk of aspiration.
Administer the Liquid: Gently pull back your dog’s lip to create a pouch in their cheek. Place the tip of the syringe or turkey baster into this pouch, between the cheek and the gums.
Slowly Squirt: Slowly and steadily administer the measured dose. Do not squirt it forcefully down their throat. Aiming for the cheek pouch encourages them to swallow naturally without choking.

Step 3: Encourage Movement and Wait
After administering the dose, the fizzing action of the peroxide will irritate the stomach lining, which triggers the vomiting reflex. Movement helps to agitate the stomach contents and speed up the process.

Walk Your Dog: Leash your dog and walk them around your yard or house. Gentle movement is key; do not force them to run or play vigorously.
Set a Timer: Set a timer for 15 minutes. Most dogs will vomit within 5-10 minutes. It can sometimes be quite forceful, so be prepared.

Step 4: Assess the Outcome

If your dog vomits within 15 minutes: Success. Examine the vomit if possible to see if you can identify the ingested substance (but do not touch it with your bare hands). Keep your dog calm and prepare to transport them to the vet for follow-up care. Do not give any more peroxide.
If your dog does NOT vomit within 15 minutes: You can administer one more dose of the same amount. Do not give a third dose. If the second dose does not work, do not attempt anything further. Your next and only step is to get your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

After Your Dog Throws Up: The Next Steps

Inducing vomiting is not the end of the treatment. It’s the beginning of the emergency response.

Collect a Sample: If you can, collect a sample of the vomit in a plastic bag to take with you to the vet. This can help them confirm what was ingested.
Prevent Re-ingestion: Immediately move your dog away from the vomit so they do not try to eat it again.
Go to the Vet: Even if your dog has vomited successfully, they must still see a veterinarian. The vet needs to:
- Assess if the entire toxic substance has been removed.
- Administer activated charcoal, which binds to any remaining toxins in the GI tract and prevents them from being absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Provide supportive care, such as IV fluids to combat dehydration and medications to protect the stomach lining from the irritation caused by both the toxin and the hydrogen peroxide.
- Monitor for any signs of complications.

Preparing for a Poisoning Emergency

The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared before it ever happens.

Pet-Proof Your Home: Go through your home room by room and secure any potential toxins. Keep medications, cleaning supplies, toxic foods (chocolate, xylitol, grapes), and plants out of your dog’s reach. Use child-proof locks on low cabinets.
Assemble a Pet First-Aid Kit: Include a fresh, sealed bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide, an oral syringe, gloves, gauze, and the phone numbers for your vet and poison control hotlines. Check the expiration date on the peroxide every six months and replace it as needed.
Know Your Vet’s Emergency Hours: Know where the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital is located. Have their number and address saved in your phone.

Conclusion: A Tool for Guided Emergencies Only

Knowing how to make a dog throw up is a serious piece of first-aid knowledge, but it’s one that should remain in your back pocket, to be used only when directed by a professional.

The risks of doing it wrong or in the wrong situation—are incredibly high. Your calm demeanor and your ability to call for help are your most powerful tools.

Always, without exception, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline as your first step. They are the experts who can assess the specific toxin, your dog’s health, and the time of ingestion to give you the safest and most effective advice.

By being prepared, pet-proofing your home, and knowing who to call, you can ensure that if an accident ever happens, you are ready to be the best possible advocate for your dog’s health and safety.