Is Safe Hydrogen Peroxide Safe for Pets?
Friends and Neighbors,
For many of us growing up, Hydrogen peroxide was a household remedy for quite a few things. Scrape your knee riding your bike? Grab the Hydrogen Peroxide! Pesky drain flies? Pour a bottle down the drain! Pet parents alike often wonder, when is it safe to use Hydrogen peroxide on my pet?
The short & sweet version: only when your veterinarian tells you to!
Inducing Vomiting
If your pet has ingested something toxic and you are unsure of when they ingested the toxic substance, you should immediately contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). Contacting the APCC and explaining the type of toxin, the amount ingested and any other relatable information should always be your first step. That way, they can then advise you on whether or not you should bring your pet in, or if they think you can/should induce vomiting at home.
For dogs - Hydrogen peroxide can be used to induce vomiting, but should only be done under the guidance of a veterinary professional. Ingesting too much Hydrogen peroxide can actually be dangerous for the pup.
For cats - Never give your cat Hydrogen peroxide. It’s too harsh a substance for them and can cause issues with their stomachs and esophagus. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a safe way to induce vomiting in cats at home. It’s imperative to be observant of what they get ahold of and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you are suspicious that your little one got into something they shouldn’t have!
Cleaning Wounds
You should never use Hydrogen peroxide to clean your pet’s wounds - no matter how small they seem! Hydrogen peroxide can actually slow the healing, make the wound more prone to infection and cause chemical burns. We’ve found that it can cause more harm than good in this scenario. As always, contact us if your pet has a wound you are concerned about. We will help guide you on next steps and will be able to recommend a safe and accessible remedy!
Grooming
You may be tempted to use a little H2O2 to tidy your pet. Rumor has it that it can be used for crusty/gunky ears, tear ducts and teeth. Just like the other topics in this article - you should only ever use Hydrogen peroxide in this case when your veterinarian recommends it! Getting a little bit of Hydrogen peroxide on your cat’s ear or on your dog’s tear duct is usually not cause for an emergency, but it does have the ability to cause harm to your pet. There are plenty of safe alternatives to keep your pet clean that we would try first!
In general, we recommend steering clear of Hydrogen peroxide for at-home care. Is it fatal? No, but it can cause more harm than good! Of course, a good rule of thumb is to stay in contact with your veterinarian if you suspect any health issues or ‘oopsies’ with your pet. They will always consider the entire situation to best prepare you with next steps to set your pet up for success!
We hope you found these tips useful and that they help keep your pets happy and healthy. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We are always here for you and your pets!
Sincerely,
The BLVD Team