Can Tums Help With Upset Stomach

How To Use Tums

Natural Relief for Upset Stomach or Digestion Problems

Take this product by mouth as directed. For the chewable form, chew the medication well before swallowing. For the liquid form, shake the bottle well before each dose. Follow all directions on the product package. Do not take more than the maximum recommended dose stated on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Do not take the maximum dose of the medication for more than 2 weeks unless directed by your doctor. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

What Can Your Dog Use For Stomach Upsets

There are so many reasons why your dog can have an upset stomach. Mostly, it is because dogs with sensitive tummies cannot digest some foods as other dogs would. Other reasons include eating foreign objects such as dog toys or strange foods and some other medical conditions. The only way you can determine the severity, cause, and proper treatment of a stomach upset is by consulting your vet.

When your dog experiences stomach upsets, the best way to deal with it is to deny him food for around six hours. Lack of food will allow his stomach to flush out of anything causing the upset. In cases of diarrhea, the best remedy is canned pumpkin. Pumpkin contains a lot of fiber which creates a firm stool and retains excessive water in the intestines.

If you try all that and your dog still has vomiting and diarrhea episodes, seek help from your vet. Your vet will have to examine the dogs stool, conduct blood tests, and do some x-rays to determine the type of disease he has. Your vet will tell you with utmost certainty what is good or bad for your dog.

Depending on the outcome of the exams, your vet may suggest an alternative medication to tums. Most of them prescribe Imodium and Pepto. If the digestive problems of your dog become frequent, you might have to change their diet.

Can Dogs Have Gas Pains

Most cases of chronic flatulence are caused by a diet that is poorly digested by the dog. These poorly digestible diets cause excessive fermentation in the colon and subsequent gas formation. Soybeans, peas, beans, milk products, high-fat diets, and spicy foods are all commonly associated with flatulence in dogs.

When To See A Doctor For A Stomach Ache

If your symptoms are persistent and you’re having ongoing abdominal pain, it’s best to see your doctor rather than continuing to take these meds to rule out serious conditions.

Also, if your stomach ache is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever, Gagneja says you should seek medical attention as soon as possible instead of trying to mask the symptoms with OTC medications. These symptoms could be a sign of appendicitis, which must be treated by a doctor.

Keep in mind that OTC medications are just band-aids for relieving symptoms. They are not designed to address any serious underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease , celiac disease, ulcers, or cancer, Gagneja says. This is why it’s not recommended to take these medications long-term if symptoms are persisting.

“If people keep on taking these symptom relief over the counter meds, then those diseases can be missed,” says Gagneja.

Can Tums Be Bad For Dogs

While we tend to think of Tums as a safe antacid option, they can be dangerous to our furry friends in certain situations.

To help you better understand the use of Tums in dogs, lets discuss some of the potential dangers below.

Tums can be dangerous if they contain an artificial sweetener like xylitol. Xylitol can lead to a life threatening drop in a dogs blood sugar, causing a true medical emergency that needs immediate veterinary attention. Many antacids have a sweet coating to make them more tasty for human use, making it so important to search the label for any toxic ingredients for dogs.

Tums can cause serious complications if they are used on a regular basis in our pups. Repeated use of tums can lead to excessive calcium in the bloodstream, which can exacerbate conditions like kidney disease and other urinary complications. If your dog has chronic indigestion or GI, you should never rely on the long term use of Tums.

Some dogs can have allergies to the artificial dye in Tums. Tums are vibrant in color to make them more appealing for use in humans, which can cause allergic reaction in sensitive dogs.

Tums should never be used without veterinary approval if your dog struggles with other medical conditions. Not only can Tums worsen certain issues in dogs, but they can interact with certain medications.

Even if you have a healthy dog without any medical conditions, we always recommend getting veterinary approval before giving your dog any Tums.

Also Check: What Can Cause Sharp Stomach Pain

Tums Side Effects For Dog

It is possible for Tums to cause vomiting and while it is rare, it is a side effect you should watch for. Sometimes, they can make your dog lethargic. If your dog doesnt tolerate them well, consider not using them again. If you are using them to help your dog with calcium deficiency, speak to your veterinarian about healthier and safer options.

Is Upset Stomach In Dogs A Sign Of Food Allergies

An upset stomach every once in a while can be normal in a dog, but if it happens often, it could signal that something is wrong in their GI tract, says Randy Aronson, DVM, of P.A.W.S. Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona.

If digestive upset is a frequent occurrence for your dog, discuss the possibility of a food allergy with your veterinarian. When food allergies are diagnosed in dogs, it is often an allergy to a protein source, which is why a more novel protein may be recommended.

There are many options on the market, but examples may include beef, buffalo, venison, or lamb.

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How And When To Take Antacids

Check the instructions on the packet or leaflet to see how much antacid to take and how often. This depends on the exact medicine you’re taking.

Antacids should be used when you have symptoms or think you will get them soon for most people, the best time to take them is with or soon after meals, and just before going to bed.

Remember that doses for children may be lower than for adults.

Contact a GP or pharmacist, or call NHS 111, if you take too much of the medicine and start to feel unwell.

How Is Indigestion Treated

Tips for Treating Your Dog’s Stomach Issues

Most people find relief from indigestion by making diet changes or taking medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of both.

Diet changes include:

Avoiding foods or drinks that trigger indigestion.
Cutting down on alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks.
Removing fatty, spicy or acidic foods from your diet.

Also Check: What Causes My Stomach To Feel Bloated

How To Avoid Side Effects Of Tums

Before Taking Tums

Make sure you tell your doctor about the following health conditions before taking this supplement:

Make sure you are not allergic to any ingredient in Tums as labeled on the package
Make sure you dont have high calcium level in your blood
If you are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, be sure to talk to the doctor
If you have heart problems, appendicitis, parathyroid problems, hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, kidney problems, stomach, bowel problems or inflammatory problems

Follow the Instructions and Directions

Follow any and all directions listed on the packaging and be sure to have a look at the ingredients and supplement content. For daily doses over 600 milligrams, you can divide your dose and take it throughout the day for optimum absorption. If youve been ordered by a doctor to follow a special diet and Tums regimen, be sure to follow it. Do not add other supplements into the mix unless instructed by your doctor.

Tips for Different Types of Tums

Chewable tablets. If youre using chewable tablets be sure that you chew them well before swallowing.
Effervescent tablets. For the tablets that dissolve in water, be sure the tablet has fully dissolved before you drink the glass of water. These effervescent tablets are not meant to be chewed or swallowed whole.
Liquid or powder products must be properly measured using a dose-measuring spoon. For liquid products, be sure to shake the bottles well before each dose.

What Can I Give My Dog For Gas

Gas is a common issue for many dogs and often a joke of owners but it reaches a point where you want relief as much as your dog does. For gas, it is best to go with a long term fix, which is to add to his diet.

Yogurt is one of the best natural products to use for gas. Some plain, sugar-free yogurt, like Greek yogurt, will be best for your canine. It wont upset him and it can help replace the organisms that he needs in his intestines. Hell love it too.

Also Check: What Is The Safest Stomach Acid Reducer

How To Manage Nausea

There are plenty of ways to deal with nausea before resorting to medications. Our kitchen has the best ingredients to help you relieve nausea in the most natural way possible.

Presentation of nausea may be different in different individuals. Certain symptoms associated with nausea may point to a specific disease. Therefore, in order to manage nausea, treating the cause of nausea is more important than focusing simply on nausea.

How Is Indigestion Diagnosed

Can dogs eat Tums for an upset stomach? Is Tums safe for dogs?

A healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle. Try to explain your indigestion in as much detail as possible. Note the type of discomfort and where you feel it. Also tell your healthcare provider when you experience indigestion. For example, does it occur after a meal or on an empty stomach? Is it worse in the morning or at night? Do certain foods make it worse?

Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. Theyll check your belly for swelling or tenderness. They may use a stethoscope to check your stomach for growling or gurgling.

Other diagnostic tests may include:

Blood tests, to assess your liver, kidney and thyroid function.
Breath test, to check for H pylori.
Imaging exams, to check for blockages or other problems in the intestines. Imaging exams may include X-ray,CT scan or upper endoscopy.
Stool test, to check poop for H. pylori or other bacterial infections.

Do Tums Help With Hangovers

Hangovers are caused by drinking too much alcohol. The science behind alcohol and hangovers is complex, however, scientists generally believe that dehydration, inflammation and poor sleep quality are implicated. In combination, this causes hangover symptoms which include nausea, headache, muscle aches, and poor concentration to mention just a few.

Some people also get hangover heartburn and in this case, tums may help.

However, for the vast majority of the symptoms of a hangover, tums will have no benefits.

Take Some Pepto Bismol

When an upset stomach is caused by eating or drinking too much or accompanies diarrhea, itâs Pepto Bismol to the rescue! Our favorite remedy is also a quick way to fix your tummy woes. Pepto Bismol soothes your discomfort with proteins that enhance the viscosity of the protective layer in the upper gastrointestinal tract to help you feel better.

Dose Safely And Infrequently With Approval From Your Vet

There are many considerations to take in when deciding to give your dog Tums for stomach relief, as shown. But, if you have approval from your vet, if you give your dog the correct dosage, and if you give it to them infrequently, Tums should prove to be a safe medication that can help to provide your dog with some relief from a troubling stomach ache.

Symptoms Of Upset Stomach In Dogs

Treating Dog Upset Stomach

The most common signs of upset stomach in dogs are diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog is nauseous, you may also see him eat grass to soothe his stomach or try to induce vomiting, says Jody Bearman, DVM at Anshen Veterinary Acupuncture, Madison, Wisconsin.

Watch for other signs of upset stomach in dogs, such as:

Fatigue
Licking their lips, the air, or objects

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Can You Give A Dog A Tum For An Upset Stomach

The simple answer to this question is yes, Tums CAN be effective for dogs with an upset stomach. Because Tums reduce the presence of excessive stomach acid, they can help some dogs with the presence of indigestion and stomach discomfort.

Calcium carbonate raises the pH inside your dogs digestive tract . Therefore, if your dogs discomfort is caused by too much acid, the calcium carbonate in TUMS will effectively neutralize it. Most dogs get mildly constipated after receiving TUMS. Because of the taste, some dogs go on the hunt for a TUMS container.

Runny Stool in Dogs: The Cause and Solution 1 General Symptoms of Runny Stool in dogs. Loose or liquid, recurrent runny stools are 2 Feed Less to Firm Up Stool. Feeding less will relieve strain on your dogs digestive system. 3 Avoid giving your pup some foods. Not only can foods like table scraps cause bad habits like begging

Tums Is Safe But Does It Make Sense

Consider that, often times, minor stomach issues resolve themselves. Giving your dog Tums may be unnecessary and, if so, should be avoided.

A true solution to your buddys gut problem may be a quality pet probiotic.

Your best course of action is to first have your dog evaluated to rule out what could be a serious stomach sickness.

In any case

Tums can provide temporary relief when discomfort lingers. Just be sure to give a dose based on their body weight.

Read Also: Do Stomach Wraps Burn Fat

Can I Give My Dog Tums For Vomiting

Yes. Tums are safe as long as you stick to the recommended doses listed above. They also metabolize through their system very quickly, so they may not be the best choice. There are many other choices in antacids that reduce both stomach acid and gas.

Vomiting may not have anything to do with the aforementioned things and you should try to make sure that your dog has not eaten something he should not have.

May things are toxic to dogs while other things will cause them to vomit but are harmless. Grass, for example, will induce vomiting and many dogs will eat it in the yard.

Two Excellent Alternative Remedies

Feeding pureed pumpkin greatly helps and in a nutritious way! Theres a chance that Tums could constipate your dog, but this food will almost always normalize things.

Another approach is fasting followed by a reintroduction of mild foods such as boiled chicken and rice.

The need for Tums can typically be avoided assuming your dog is breaking down food efficiently. Feeding smaller portions can also improve matters.

Tums is not a lasting solution.

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What Are The Causes Of Nausea

Nausea is a symptom and not a disease in itself. It is also non-specific, which means that it can occur due to multiple reasons.The table below will help you understand which disease conditions can cause nausea.

Gastrointestinal	Functional gastro-paralysis, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsiaUlcerative colitis, Crohns disease
Endocrine	Addisons disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, uremia and hypo-parathyroidism.
Medications	NSAIDs, aspirin, antibiotics, oral hypoglycemic agents , chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, painkillers and oral contraceptives.
Infection	Gastroenteritis, appendicitis, cholecystitis, gastritis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, peritonitis
Neurological	Epilepsy, raised intracranial pressure, intracranial hemorrhage, Menieres disease, meningitis
Other	Gallstones, peptic ulcers, cancers, pregnancy, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus , cyclic vomiting syndrome, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders, malnutrition, intense pain, heart attack and heart failure, hypertension and low blood pressure, middle ear infections.

With this endless list of medical conditions, it would be convenient to say that every person may have experienced nausea at some time.

The centre for vomiting is located in the medulla of the brain. It receives nerves from various parts of the brain, vestibular system and stomach. This shows that multiple factors can work in triggering nausea and even vomiting.

Can You Give Tums To A Dog With An Upset Stomach

Yes, TUMS could be given to dogs that are suffering from mild stomach upsets. You must, however, always get the approval from your vet first before you give your dog any medications that are primarily designed for human use. TUMS is a popular over-the-counter medicine that can help neutralize the gastric acid in the esophagus.

For dogs, the active ingredient used in TUMS, calcium carbonate, may potentially have a similar effect but it might not always be so effective because dogs have a tendency to digest things more quickly than humans do. Despite TUMS not being considered toxic for dogs, we would recommend caring for your sick dog with other remedies. For example, it may be easier for a dog with an upset stomach to recover if they are temporarily fed a bland diet.

Disclaimer

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How Long Will Indigestion Last

Indigestion might go way as soon as you change your diet and habits. If you do take medication for your upset stomach, only do so with your healthcare providers approval. Some medications, especially acid reducers, can have long-term side effects. These may include an increased risk of infections or low levels of important nutrients.