Do you have a dog first aid kit? Does it include hydrogen peroxide? While none of us like to think about our dogs getting hurt or injured, it’s important to prepare accordingly so you can help your dog when/if illnesses or injuries arise. If you don’t already have a dog first aid kit, it’s a good idea to buy or make one for your home and car. Hydrogen peroxide is a staple in most first aid kits for humans. For those unfamiliar, hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid available in the pharmacy section of any drugstore or grocery store that’s most commonly used for cleaning out wounds. But what about hydrogen peroxide for dogs?
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.
Other uses of hydrogen peroxide for dogs
Beyond cleaning a wound, Jennifer offers two other important uses of hydrogen peroxide for dogs —
- Skunk Bath: Hydrogen peroxide for dogs is useful for de-skunking a dog. “Hydrogen peroxide is an essential part of a ‘skunk bath’ recipe: Mix 1 quart of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide, 1/3 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid together,” Jennifer says. “Pour the mixture on a dry dog and then rub in. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse. Repeat if necessary and follow up with a normal bath with regular doggy shampoo.”
- Inducing Vomiting: Hydrogen peroxide for dogs can also help induce vomiting. “If your dog ate something naughty, your vet may recommend a dose for you to induce vomiting,” Jennifer advises.
Hydrogen peroxide for dogs — when NOT to use it
“Hydrogen peroxide should not be used or poured into a large, open wound,” Dr. Werber explains. If your dog has a large wound, seek immediate attention from your veterinarian, or an emergency veterinary clinic.
As mentioned above, hydrogen peroxide for dogs should never be applied at its full strength to clean a wound. Before using hydrogen peroxide for dogs, dilute it with either water or saline. If you do have to bring out your dog’s first aid kit due to an injury or illness, consult with your vet after administering first aid and using hydrogen peroxide to make sure your dog’s wounds are healing properly.
Thumbnail: Photography by absolutimages/Thinkstock.
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Sassafras Lowrey is an award-winning author. Her novels have been honored by organizations ranging from the Lambda Literary Foundation to the American Library Association. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor and assists with dog agility classes. Sassafras lives and writes in Brooklyn with her partner, a senior Chihuahua mix, a rescued Shepherd mix and a Newfoundland puppy, along with two bossy cats and a semi-feral kitten. Learn more at sassafraslowrey.com.
10 thoughts on “Hydrogen Peroxide for Dogs — Can You and When Should You Use It?”
my little dog weighs 14 pounds, she has a bad heart murmer, i used to take her for walks but now she does’nt want to go and when i do walk her she breathes like she cant get enough air. I have heard that hydrogen peroxide added to a dogs water will give her oxygen. is this true and what amount would a person add to her water and what strength peroxide.
This would be very helpful for all the Dog owners out there. I keep Bandages and a few other things on hand and in my truck for emergency for my Dog Jay-R-Dee, but I would like to be better equipped for a emergency. Please share what a Dogs First Aid Kit should contain.
Thank you!
Could you list the items that should be in my Dogs First Aid Kit.
Thanks so much
Kathy and Jay-R-Dee
Hydrogen peroxide is an important tool for a Dog First Aid Kit. I keep it always in my kit box. Hydrogen peroxide isn’t just for cleaning minor wounds. If your dog does ingest something toxic, you may have to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide.
I use CBD for dogs Joint and Hip. He gets around so much better. He is 17. Seems like he feels good. And that is a plus
Is anyone have tried giving Marijuana to their pets for Medical purposes? I’m planning to give my buddy today for his health condition. Is it okay? Can someone give me a good advice? Thank you!
Hi Larry,
You may want to check out these posts on marijuana and similar medicine for dogs:
https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-health-marijuana-smoke
https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/medical-marijuana-for-dogs
https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/what-are-cbd-treats-for-dogs
https://www.dogster.com/the-scoop/researchers-look-to-cannabidiol-to-fight-epilepsy-in-dogs
https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/my-dog-has-separation-anxiety-so-i-fed-her-treatibles-cannabidiol-treats
I’ve been using hemp oil as a last resort for my yorkie whose rear legs hips and knees and spine are shot. Putting him to sleep was lurking around the corner turned to hemp oil within one hour he was up and walk-in to door. Miracle drug Yes I think so
I never thought about hydrogen peroxide as not being safe for dogs, although I’ve only used it once on a small laceration. This information is hugely helpful for caring for my dogs, especially the de-skunk recipe. I wish I had know this many years ago when my dog got skunked. Now that I know it, I hope I never have to use it 🙂
Thanks for such great information and a reminder that I need to check the dog’s first aid kit to ensure it’s properly stocked
All my years of de-skunking dogs back home, I never saw this recipe. We always used straight tomato juice. I hope I never have to try it, but putting this one in the keeper file.