How to Induce Vomiting In Your Cat Step by Step, and When You Should Avoid it.

Laura Evans |
November 04, 2024

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We’ve all been there. Our cats eat something that they are not supposed to — a human medication, your other pet’s medication, or a toxic food such as chocolate or grapes— and our first thought is, “how do I make my cat throw up?” Vomiting can be a quick way to remove a potentially harmful substance like chocolate from your cat’s body. But it’s important to know how to make a cat throw up safely, and when you shouldn’t make a cat throw up. Here is what you need to know before you induce your cat to vomit.

📓 A Vet’s Note: If you believe your cat has ingested something toxic, contact your vet or a pet poison helpline immediately instead of trying to handle it yourself. Time is of the essence in these situations, and professional help should be sought as soon as possible.

When to Make a Cat Throw Up

Vomiting is a natural and often necessary way to get rid of chemicals, viruses, or other substances that have made their way into a cat’s system through either poisonous plants or accidental ingestion like chocolate. In many cases, a veterinarian might recommend inducing vomiting if a cat is poisoned by a substance that cannot be digested or metabolized.

For safety reasons, pet owners should never attempt to induce a cat’s vomit without consulting with a veterinarian first; there are situations where vomiting will actually make matters worse rather than better (for example: inducing two hours after eating some chemicals). Thus, before making your cat throw up, consult with your veterinarian, or as an alternative, a 24/7 pet helpline.

How to Induce Vomiting In a Cat Step by Step

⚠️ For safety reasons, making a cat vomit at home needs to be done under the guidance of a veterinary professional, either your veterinarian or a 24/7 pet helpline, so if the situation goes wrong, you are sure to make the right move.

Step 1. The first step in making a cat throw up is to get him to eat something if he hasn’t consumed anything. You should consider a small meal and as soon as your cat eats his meal, it will come into contact with his stomach acid and make him feel nauseous without causing any damage or pain to his digestive system.

Step 2. Use hydrogen peroxide solution at a concentration of 3% to induce vomiting. A higher concentration can irritate your cat’s stomach and cause him more pain than it helps. It can even damage his throat if he vomits after drinking it.

Step 3. Administer the right amount. The recommended dose for catss is 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide solution for every 5 pounds of your cat’s weight, with a maximum dose of 3 tablespoons.

Step 4. Use a turkey baster or a feeding syringe to administer the solution. Open your cat’s mouth, get the syringe to the back and squirt the peroxide in. Be careful as it is not recommended for you to put hydrogen peroxide solution directly down your cat’s throat, due to its irritant properties. Wait 2 to 5 minutes and your cat should throw up. If he doesn’t you can dose one more time; if he doesn’t throw up after that, you need to immediately seek veterinary help, do not dose any more than two times.

Step 5. Watch him as he vomits and clear his mouth with a soft cloth or paper towel if necessary. If your cat is big and you can’t hold him, put him in a safe place like a crate or on his bed while you go to retrieve your turkey baster or feeding syringe. Never leave your cat alone when inducing vomiting because cats can choke easily when they vomit, especially small breeds that have narrower airways than larger breeds do.

Step 6. Check for any complications after he throws up, like trouble breathing or symptoms of pain. If you notice anything abnormal, call your vet right away! Never hesitate when it comes to your cat’s well-being!

When NOT to Make a Cat Throw Up

Cats can be very sick for many reasons and sometimes making them throw up is not advisable. For instance, you should avoid making your cat throw up after ingesting poisonous substances more than two hours ago, or if they are showing symptoms of intoxication or poisoning by toxic plants or drugs.

Some chemicals such as Drain-O and bleach are caustic substances that could cause serious damage to a pet’s esophagus and digestive tract if they are forced to vomit due to a reaction with these substances. If you have no choice but to make a cat throw up in these situations, consult with your veterinarian before doing so and follow his/her instructions carefully. Note that if your vet is not open, some services provide live chat and video options to connect you with a vet.

Also sharp, solid objects such as glass and plastic can cause trauma to the esophagus if regurgitated.

Furthermore, if your cat lacks a gag reflex or is comatose and cannot vomit on his own, you should never try to make him throw up. Seek veterinary assistance immediately.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, you have 2 options when it comes to making your cat throw up. The first is to induce vomiting at home while knowing you may be harming your cat’s throat (unless you do it under the guidance of a veterinary professional, by calling your vet or a 24/7 pet helpline). The second is to make an appointment with your vet right away who will not only protect his or her throat but also provide other treatments that are much more effective.

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