commended to get your dog to throw it back up.
However, large items if made to regurgitate could cause your dog to choke! So it just isn’t that simple.
Also, hydrogen peroxide has been known to be effective in de-skunking dogs. Many home recipes for removing skunk odor include hydrogen peroxide.
But are they entirely safe?
Let’s take a look at these areas in more detail, to see where the problems arise.
Dog Wound and Skin Care with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is basically an antiseptic and a disinfectant, often made available in a three percent solution or higher for cleaning wounds and for topical skin care.
In studies, it has been shown to be relatively effective in removing bacteria including E. coli. It has germicidal properties and may also remove contaminants mechanically.
The bubbling action, which is basically oxygen being activated, may help physically remove oils and other agents.
H2O2 has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, and decomposes into water and oxygen when it comes into contact with organic matter.
However, H2O2 use has declined in recent years because of studies showing oxygen bubbles forming inside human circulation systems as a result of improper use within closed spaces or under pressure.
Also, research shows that hydrogen peroxide may not be the best alternatives for wound care or skin infection care even in humans, because it is toxic to living cells.
In fact, the cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide may outweigh its antibacterial qualities.
As a result, it may slow down the body’s processes for healing itself.
And you must be careful of hydrogen peroxide in concentrated quantities.
It is also available in 35% solutions or higher, sometimes called “food grade,” and this must be diluted for most uses.
If hydrogen peroxide is used at such high concentrations without being diluted, and it if’s ingested, it can cause corrosive tissue damage and other problems.
Given that there are other antiseptics on the market that are quite effective, giving dogs hydrogen peroxide may not the best option for wound care.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Induce Vomiting in Dogs
The one use for which we can recommend hydrogen peroxide, based on the science, is as an emetic – to cause vomiting in dogs.
In fact, this is veterinarians’ preferred way of inducing dogs to throw toxic substances up.
But you’ll still want to call your vet or poison control center first, to make sure inducing at home is appropriate.
Do not induce vomiting without checking.
Some items if thrown up with potentially cause choking or further damage if caustic.
Always speak to your vet to confirm before inducing vomiting.
H2O2 is still toxic in large quantities, and must be carefully dosed.
A 3% solution is effective in inducing vomiting in more than 90 percent of dogs. In those dogs, around 48 percent of ingested agents are recovered.
There are some side effects, but these are mild and self-limiting. This makes hydrogen peroxide often the best option for making dogs throw up.
So, if your dog has eaten something toxic, and you want to try getting it out, here’s how to make a dog vomit with hydrogen peroxide.
Simply get him to swallow some 3% hydrogen peroxide.
The amount of hydrogen peroxide you use is important. So how much hydrogen peroxide will you need to make a dog vomit?
Most vets say that you should stick to a 0.5-1 ml (depending on the size of your dog) dose of 3% hydrogen peroxide per pound of weight. Do not exceed 50 mL no matter what.
How long will it take to get your dog to vomit after it ingests hydrogen peroxide?
It may only take a minute or two, but it can be 20 or up to 40 minutes before she sends it all up again.
How to Make Your Dog Vomit Without Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide for dogs is by far the safest way to induce vomiting, even though you have to be careful doing it.
Most other ways to make your dog vomit without hydrogen peroxide can be dangerous – like putting a finger down her throat, or giving syrup of ipecac or salt.
Definitely don’t use caustic chemicals like drain cleaners to do this. Avoid petroleum