By: Trupanion Staff / Updated Oct. 13, 2019

We love our pet’s inquisitive nature, but sometimes their endearing curiosity lands them in trouble. Animals explore the world around them with their mouths, so before you know it, your beloved pet may eat something harmful. So, what’s a concerned pet owner to do? With no time to waste, you’ll have to act quickly—sometimes, this involves knowing how to induce vomiting in dogs. However, this action can come with various risks when not done safely.

*Note — if your dog has already eaten something toxic (or something you're worried is harmful), go ahead and call an emergency veterinary hospital right now. The information in this article can be useful knowledge for future incidents, but there's no time to waste in a current emergency situation.

We know you care about your pet and want to do whatever you can to protect them when they've eaten something they shouldn't. Read on to learn when it’s safe to induce vomiting yourself, and when you should seek veterinary care instead. 

Common toxins ingested by dogs

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center, the  top 10 toxins  pets ingest are:

• Over-the-counter medications — Anti-inflammatories (such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen), vitamins, cold and flu products, and antihistamines are common dangers.
• Human prescription medications — Medications like pain relievers, antidepressants, and heart medications top the list. Ingestion is usually accidental, although owners sometimes dose pets with their own medications without understanding the potential consequences.
• Toxic foods — Grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions are well-known and common offenders. Others are less well-known. For example, did you know that the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is added to sugar-free gums, candies, and even peanut butter, is a common toxin?
• Chocolate —  Chocolate  is technically a food, but it is responsible for many toxicities and has earned its own category.
• Veterinary medications — Flavorings added to veterinary products to make them easier to administer can make them so enticing that pets will sniff them out and eat the entire bottle.
• Household products — Cleaning chemicals, paints, glues, and laundry detergents (including pod-type products) are common  household toxins.
• Rodenticides — Designed to attract and kill rodents, mouse and rat baits also allure dogs.
• Insecticides — Pest products, like ant baits, that are sweetened to attract bugs also  tempt pets.
• Plants — Lilies, azalea, oleander, and sago palm are included in the  list of plants  poisonous to pets.
• Garden products — Fertilizers, herbicides, and decaying compost can also be tempting toxins for pets.

How do toxins cause toxicity?

Although some toxins cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset, most don’t cause serious harm until they leave the GI tract and are absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, they are distributed to the body’s tissues. The goal of decontamination is to remove the toxin from the body before it can be absorbed. If vomiting is induced before the toxin is absorbed in the intestines, toxicity can effectively be prevented.

Is inducing dog vomiting a good idea?

Before you pull out the peroxide, consider what your dog has eaten and how much time has passed. You should always call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital for advice before inducing vomiting.