How To Induce Vomiting in Dogs: Dos, Don’ts, and When To Call Your Vet

When your pet has ingested a foreign object or toxin, the instinct is to make them vomit.   

Sometimes this is the right instinct but sometimes it isn’t. Inducing vomiting in dogs should only be done with veterinary guidance.  

Should You Ever Induce Vomiting in Dogs?

Never induce vomiting in dogs without first speaking to a veterinary professional or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).  

When speaking to pet poison helplines, there is usually an incident fee associated with your call.  

Make sure to write down your case number so you can give the info to your veterinarian. 

The veterinarian may recommend that you induce vomiting at home in specific situations, depending on what your dog ate, how long ago it happened, your distance to an emergency veterinary clinic, and your dog’s overall health.  

Ideally, you would take your pet to the veterinarian and allow the vet to induce vomiting. 

Induction of vomiting may be recommended in the following situations: 

• You saw your dog eat chocolate or another toxin. 
• Ingestion of the object/substance occurred in the last one to two hours, though it differs depending on the specific toxin. 
• Your dog is otherwise healthy. 
• You live far from an emergency veterinary clinic. 

Vomiting may not be recommended in the following situations: 

• Ingestion of sharp objects or caustic chemicals 
• Dog is already vomiting or has other symptoms of intoxication or foreign body obstruction 
• Ingestion of the material occurred long enough ago that it’s no longer going to be in the stomach 
• Dog has history of ulcerative disease in the stomach or esophagus 
• Dog has a condition that increases risk of breathing in vomit (aspiration) 

Again, you should always contact a veterinarian or pet poison helpline before inducing vomiting. Induction of vomiting isn’t benign and can cause serious issues if done improperly.  

How To Induce Vomiting in Dogs Safely

The safest way to induce vomiting in dogs is at a veterinary clinic, where a professional can administer apomorphine, a medication that safely triggers vomiting.  

Vomiting usually occurs within one to five minutes if the drug is given into a vein, and within about 10 to 15 minutes if it’s given under the skin. 

If the veterinarian recommends inducing vomiting at home, they will probably recommend the 3% hydrogen peroxide method.  

Do not use hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting without speaking to a veterinarian. Do not use a higher concentration than 3%. 

Hydrogen peroxide can cause stomach ulceration, and the dog may be at risk of inhaling the contents they vomit, leading to pneumonia.  

You should get individual instructions on hydrogen peroxide from your pet’s veterinarian. The safe dosage changes depending on the pet’s size. 

With hydrogen peroxide, your dog will usually vomit within about 20 minutes. They are likely to vomit several times before stopping.  

If your dog consumed a foreign object, confirm that the object is present in the vomit. If your pet consumed a toxic substance, it’s still best to seek veterinary care even after inducing vomiting because some toxins absorb quickly.  

At-home vomiting should not be attempted if your dog swallowed a sharp object or caustic material, like bleach or batteries.  

After vomiting has been induced, make sure to monitor your pet for symptoms, such as continued vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, or reduced appetite.  

Please note that it’s normal for dogs who were administered apomorphine to seem tired or a bit sedated afterward.  

When You Should NOT Make a Dog Throw Up

Do not make a dog throw up without speaking to a veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline. 

Do not induce vomiting at home in the following situations: 

• The dog consumed sharp objects, like needles or splintered bones. 
• The dog is already vomiting or has other signs of intoxication or foreign body obstruction. 
• The dog ate a caustic substance, like bleach or batteries. 
• Your dog ate a petroleum product, like gasoline, which can easily enter the lungs during vomiting. 
• The dog has breathing issues or neurologic conditions (like megaesophagus) that may make aspiration risk high. 
• Your dog is brachycephalic, which increases their risk of aspiration.  
• Your dog has recently had blood in their vomit or stool.  

When To See a Vet for Dog Vomiting

The following are signs that your vomiting dog needs veterinary attention: 

• Repeated vomiting 
• Concurrent diarrhea 
• Blood in vomit 
• Lethargy 
• Abdominal pain 
• Dehydration 
• Known toxin or foreign body ingestion 
• Puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with underlying medical conditions 

What If Your Dog Is Already Vomiting?

If your dog is occasionally vomiting, you can contact your veterinarian for an appointment. Vomiting is never considered “normal,” so you shouldn’t assume that occasional vomiting is harmless. 

With frequent vomiting (more than once or twice a day), it’s usually best to seek urgent care.  

The following are emergency symptoms associated with dog vomiting: 

• Nonproductive retching 
• Uncontrollable vomiting with or without diarrhea 
• Blood in vomit 
• Loss of appetite 
• Lethargy 
• Stomach bloating or distention 
• Collapse 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Severe dehydration 

Is There a Remedy for a Dog Throwing Up?

When looking for a remedy for a dog throwing up, the goal is to bring the pet relief. Treatment for vomiting depends on the underlying cause.  

Relying on home remedies without having your pet seen by a veterinarian can result in worsening symptoms and can be quite dangerous for your pup.  

Your veterinarian may recommend the following: 

• Always provide access to fresh water. 

• Withhold food temporarily, though only with vet direction. This generally should not be done in puppies or dogs with certain health conditions, like diabetes. 
• Feed a bland diet. This may be plain, boiled chicken and white rice or it may be a veterinary gastrointestinal diet. 

Over-the-counter medications for people should not be given without veterinary guidance. Doses are often quite different between people and dogs, and some medications that are safe for humans are toxic to our pups.  

Speak with a veterinarian before giving any over-the-counter medications.