Most dogs present a high interest in copying human behavior as much as possible and we tend to treat them sometimes like humans as well. Find out more about what is actually good for your dog and what isn’t – for example, can you give them Tums? Will it make them feel better or worse?
Can I Give My Pup Tums?
If your four-legged best friend has a tummy ache, diarrhea or suffers from any other type of digestion problem, in searching for solutions, you will maybe ask yourself if it’s a good idea to give it Tums. After all, Tums can make your own stomach feel better so can this type of medication be used for your dog as well?
If you want a very short answer, yes, you may give your pup Tums if it is experiencing issues with digestion. The relief they will feel though is only temporary as this is by far not an ideal or highly effective type of treatment for them. Even so, you should ask the veterinarian first and follow a series of guidelines so you won’t make the dog feel even sicker.
There are much better options out there for the treatment of dogs, so read below all about this.
How Does Tums Work for Dogs?
You can use Tums if you notice that your pup has some stomach issues, diarrhea or even heartburn as the active ingredient is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is useful in reducing the extra stomach acid for humans so if their problems are mild, you may try and rely on Tums if you lack other options.
It is worth noting, though, that the digestive system of dogs works much faster than that of a human which means that the medication can pass through it too quickly so it could be ineffective in many of the cases. Basically, sometimes it can work and sometimes it doesn’t, depending on how your dog’s digestive system works.
In some cases, a veterinarian can use Tums for high phosphorus levels found in the dog’s blood – it basically has the role of a phosphate binder. You must be careful as this should only be done by specialists and not by the owner without having the permission of the vet.
Other cases in which a veterinarian can use Tums is when treating kidney disease, but, again, this should only be done by somebody with experience who knows what they are doing for the simple fact that Tums can also make some diseases worse! You really don’t want to make your dog feel more pain, right? So listen to the vet!
Tums can also work as a calcium supplement for humans, but, again, this is not recommended for dogs. While they can work if it happens once or twice, starting a treatment of sorts with Tums to increase the levels of calcium can lead to other serious health issues so just ask your vet about increasing the calcium level in some other way.
How Is Tums Bad for My Dog?
If you give your dog Tums rarely, normally, there shouldn’t be any side effects or just minor ones. But you must keep in mind that Tums can lead to constipation or looser stools which is not something you want your dog to have. This is a very good reason to consult with your veterinarian before making the decision of using Tums for your canine friend.
Besides, there are many other moments in which Tums can affect the dog in negative ways. The ingredients can be toxic as substances like xylitol or artificial sweetener shouldn’t ever be consumed by any dog. Read the label carefully to make sure such substances aren’t included in the list of ingredients.
While Tums can look good thanks to their bright colors, those colors are created using artificial dyes to which your dog can have an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is better that you avoid using it in such cases!
Regular exposure to these substances can also make your dog develop urinary stones, pancreatitis, kidney disease, and various other diseases and conditions. If the dog has chronic stomach problems or is in need of calcium supplements, ask for a safe alternative.
Just like with us humans, the younger ones and the pregnant or nursing ones are exposed to more risks than the average population. For a puppy, if they get a too high level of calcium, several problems with their bones and cartilage can appear. So, before giving your puppies or female dogs (who are nursing or pregnant) Tums, consult your vet.
Another similarity you’ll notice is the fact that Tums can interact with other medications your dog is already taking and it can hurt them. Tums can also make some issues worse, so if your doggy already has a medical condition, check with your veterinarian first if it’s ok to use Tums.
In case the pup finds a recipient of Tums and eats them when you aren’t paying attention and then you find out, call the vet immediately. The risk of an overdose is small, but they will probably develop constipation or other similar stomach problems.
How Much Tums Can You Give a Dog?
If you’re still insisting on using Tums for treating your dog, you should keep in mind that the proper dose depends on the strength the drug has, what formula was used for it and what size your dog is.
While these are the common dosages used, you should still consult your veterinarian beforehand to make sure this can apply to your dog as well. These are as follows: for small dogs about 1250 mg over 24 hours; 2 – 4 grams over 24 hours for medium dogs; 4 – 6 grams over 24 hours for big dogs; and 6 – 10 grams over 24 hours for giant dogs.
What Alternatives Can You Use for Tums?
In the case your dog has extreme diarrhea, stomach pain or vomiting, you should naturally just skip over the Tums or similar antacids you may have at home and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible!
But, in the case that the issues of the stomach tend to be rather mild, specialists may suggest fasting as a remedy as this will help the digestive system of your dog to run its course naturally and faster so you can observe if the problems persist.
Following this, you’ll probably have to start reintroducing small portions of food into their diet or switch completely to a diet that is easier to digest.
If the vet will suggest that you should start using some form of medication for the treatment of mild digestion problems, they most likely won’t prescribe Tums. Drugs that are usually used in such instances are Imodium or Pepto. Even so, don’t start medicating the dog by yourself and check with the specialist before trying anything.
Some types of food can be of great help for improving the digestion and making the stool return to normal consistency. One of the choices that you can bet on is pureed pumpkin which many people recommend as being one of the best options you have for curing a mild problem of the stomach.
In the case that you notice the problems with the stomach are returning occasionally, it’s a safe bet to try and change their diet as something surely needs to be removed from it. In case the diet is not the problem, it may indicate a bigger issue that your dog is facing so you’ll have to check with the doctor.
Conclusions
Basically, you can give your dog Tums if they are already developed, aren’t nursing or pregnant, aren’t suffering from other diseases or taking any other drugs. In case any of these apply to your dog, Tums may not be the safest option you have, especially if you plan on starting treatment with it.
Regardless of the severity of the issue, you first and foremost need to check everything with a veterinarian as they’ll know how to take care of the problem. They’ll point to much better drugs you can use to help your dog and should probably rely on Tums only as a solution for a short period of time if you lack any other alternative at the moment.
If the stomach problems return, let the vet know, as there is something that should be probably done regarding the diet of your pet or a full check-up may be in order.
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