Can You Give Dogs Tums When Needed? If you are a new dog owner or you simply want to know the answer to an important question proper research is mandatory. Most of the time things such as foods, medications etc. that are safe for humans are bad for dogs. You need to know how that food or medication will affect your pet. Can you give dogs tums? This is going to be the main topic for today and below you will see a detailed and real explanation of the matter.
Can You Give Dogs Tums When Needed?
Tums: All you have to know
The first thing we will have to do is to explain the tums. What is this and how does it work? Can you give dogs tums is a question that requires this explanation. This is a medication for heartburn, upset stomach, and also acid indigestion. There are all kinds of additional issues Tums are used for. In a nutshell, this is an antacid.
The medication is effective thanks to calcium carbonate, an ingredient that will neutralize all the acid it comes across. It will also free calcium ions that are trapped in the hydrogen. It will bind to the hydrogen in the stomach.
In plain words, the medication will neutralize the acid in the stomach and provide relief. It can be used in countless examples and it is very effective. Tums can neutralize the acid in the stomach but also the esophagus which makes them even more successful in eliminating pain.
Can tums be used in dogs?
Yes, you can give tums to your pet if he has problems with stomach acid.
It is an effective method and a safe one. The only issue here is the fact dogs have a different digestive tract system. They are able to digest things much faster than humans. As such, tums will be effective, but shorter than in humans.
There are a lot of other options that are recommended by vets all over the globe. These are much more effective, safer, and also ideal for dogs. We will discover these later on.
Another thing you should know is that tums is the first thing most dog owners try when their dog has issues with stomach or stomach acid. You can try giving a correct dosage (more on that later) and monitor the progress. Always use tums with precaution.
When should you give tums to a dog?
Of course, not all health issues related to the dog’s stomach can be treated with Tums. But there are two where tums are used and aren’t caused by stomach acid. Below we are going to explain the two most common conditions when Tums are needed and can be more than just helpful. Keep in mind that tums are designed to treat stomach pain first but they can be used for these two problems as an alternative.
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Kidney Failure
In this case scenario, a dog will have excess phosphorus in the organism. This is a by-product of failing kidneys. There are medications that do this well. They will bind to phosphorus and remove it from the body. But, tums can be used for this purpose as well. Calcium carbonate is present in tums and it will bind to the phosphorus and remove it from the body via stool. Your dog should feel better.
There is a negative side of all this. Tums must be given in large amounts to treat the condition. In those amounts, your dog will get too much calcium in the body which can cause hypercalcemia. As such, tums can be used as an alternative for kidney failure but usually as the last option.
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Hypocalcemia (Eclampsia)
The condition here refers to the case when a dog has too low calcium in the body. This is a severe issue that can affect the life of your pet. It is also dangerous for pregnant dogs. You can see symptoms such as tremors in dogs and seizures. If not treated, this will kill your pet!
The goal of treatment is to increase calcium levels in the blood as soon as possible. IV calcium supplements are used for this purpose. Yes, you will have to take your pet to a vet immediately! However, some vets will add tums to a dog’s diet in order to keep the calcium levels normal and help them with pregnancy.
There are many other treatments for this condition. Using tums can be used as an alternative. Of course, it is important to take into account other medical conditions and issues your dog may have. In some combinations, complications may arise.
Situations when tums are harmful
Tums are generally safe for dogs and they can be given, as you were able to see. However, there are a few cases when tums must not be used. In those cases they are harmful and you will have to find an alternative.
- Keep in mind that if tums are paired with xylitol which is basically an artificial sweetener, your dog must not have it in large amounts. This is a toxic chemical for dogs and it will cause sugar levels to go down significantly. Medical treatment is mandatory. Some medications of this kind come with this chemical in order to make them sweet and easier to swallow.
- There are dogs who are allergic to artificial colors used in tums. The color is added to make the medication look better and more appealing. But, this is not a safe thing to add to your dog’s diet.
- Tums must be avoided if your pet already has a medical condition. In that case, you will have to talk to a vet and find an alternative.
- Using tums all the timer for a long period of time is something you should avoid at all costs. It will increase the level of calcium in the body and as such have a huge, negative effect on the life of your friend. Tums can be used for a short period of time. If your dog has frequent stomach-related issues you will have to find an alternative.
- Getting useful information from a vet before you start using tums is mandatory. It is essential for pregnant dogs and also puppies. Maybe it is the best to take him to a vet rather than trying to solve the problem by yourself.
It is best to ask a vet or take your pet to him and get a proper solution.
Using tums in most cases is harmless, but in some cases can be a huge problem and can even be fatal.
A huge problem is using tums if your dog has a medical condition that wasn’t diagnosed properly. When certain kidney diseases are paired with tums, a huge problem may occur. That’s why it is recommended to start with a small dosage or even better take your pet to a vet first and then start using tums. He will probably tell you that it is fine and you can do it but after examining your dog and asking you important questions.
Tums alternatives
As you should know by now, tums are one of many options you can use to help your dog. But, there are other options that are safer due to one reason. Those are designed for dogs specifically so they last longer and come without any issues. Anyway, the best alternatives are:
- Pantoprazole
- Famotidine
- Omeprazole
But, these medications are not something you can or even should give to your pet without help from a vet. These are stronger and more advanced medications hence your dog will need to get a proper diagnosis and a proper treatment.
There is no need in adding that these medications need to be given to your dog in different dosages than tums. Once again, this is something a vet should help you with and prescribe the ideal dosage.
Suitable dosage for your pet
Using tums must be done carefully and with proper dosage. The correct dosage will depend on two main factors. The first one is the weight of your dog. In most cases, the dosage is determined by this factor. Secondly, a condition that causes a need for tums will be taken into account. Below you can see generic and common dosages for dogs.
- Small dog: 250 mg per day
- Medium dog: 2-4 grams per day
- Large dog: 4-6 grams per day
- Giant dog: 6-10 grams per day
The final word
Still, wondering can you give dogs tums? The answer is yes. This is one of the most common alternatives out there and one of the safe ones. But, it isn’t a clear picture and there are a lot of things you need to know. Giving tums to your pet without taking him to a vet first is something you can do but with caution. Taking him to a vet first is highly recommended. Keep in mind that there are alternatives that are much better and are specifically designed for dogs. Consult your vet first just to be safe.
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