Adrienne is a licensed dog trainer and a former veterinary assistant who collaborates with some of the world’s top vets.
Which Type of Hydrogen Peroxide Should I Use on My Dog?
As its name suggests, hydrogen peroxide is just a liquid made of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O2). It is available in various concentrations, some of which may be toxic to dogs.
The 3% solution is the recommended dosage to make dogs vomit. This means it contains 97% water and 3% hydrogen peroxide. It doesn’t hurt to double-check, but most household peroxide sold in stores in the brown bottle is 3%.
You may be alarmed to read on the label that hydrogen peroxide is toxic. Before second-guessing your vets recommendation to use it on your dog, understand that veterinarians report that it is safe to use for this purpose. According to veterinarian Dawn Ruben, because of the fact that the internally administered hydrogen peroxide is vomited up and does not remain in the body, it is safe to use.
Note: Hydrogen peroxide was previously believed to be a successful wound treatment. However, studies have shown that this can harm cells necessary for healing. In your pet’s first aid kit, hydrogen peroxide should only be kept to cause vomiting.
Should you use hydrogen peroxide for dogs on their injuries?
Emmy award-winning veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber confirms that hydrogen peroxide is safe for cleaning small wounds on your dog. However, he adds that there is no medically known benefit to using hydrogen peroxide for dogs instead of water and soap when cleaning out smaller, less-serious wounds.
Jenna Mahan, Director of Claims with Embrace Pet Insurance, also says to dilute hydrogen peroxide for dogs before use. “Hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to tissues and burn a little, so you may be better off using plain old saline, but if you do not have saline on hand, hydrogen peroxide can clean a wound quite well,” she says. Jennifer advises to dilute hydrogen peroxide for dogs with one-part water or one-part saline.
Inducing Vomiting in Dogs With Hydrogen Peroxide: Safety Concerns
“Too much of a good thing can do more harm than good,” as the saying goes. You might try using hydrogen peroxide to cause vomiting when your dog consumes something harmful. The answer to the question of whether it is possible to administer too much hydrogen peroxide is both yes and no. The truth is that a safe dose of hydrogen peroxide depends on a number of factors.
Here we will discuss:
Consult a Vet First
You must speak with a veterinarian before administering hydrogen peroxide to your dog. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA poison helpline at 888-426-4435.
FAQ
What happens if a dog gets hydrogen peroxide?
The use of hydrogen peroxide may cause prolonged vomiting or poor appetite, among other problems. In more serious situations, bleeding, ulcers, and severe gastritis can happen. Additionally, there are cases where pets ingested hydrogen peroxide and died from internal bleeding.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe around dogs?
Disinfectants are toxic to pets because they contain ingredients such as alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, chemical compounds containing the word “phenol,” etc.