Oh no! Fluffy’s got an upset Stomach again!

When your pup’s got tummy issues, you’ll do anything to make it stop. But are you actually making things worse while trying to make them better? Is it okay to give a Dog Tums?

Can dogs have Tums?

Technically, yes. Dogs can have Tums.

But I don’t recommend using them.

Tums are a calcium carbonate which many people use as a calcium supplement. Dogs that eat Tums frequently can develop health issues from abnormally high calcium levels in their blood.

And beware of older versions of Tums. Some past formulas contain xylitol (also found in chocolate and some yogurts) that is toxic to dogs.

But ultimately, I don’t recommend Tums because they are not very effective. Dogs digest things much faster than humans, so any relief the Tums give will be short lived.

Is it safe to give my dog tums? Are they toxic?

Current formulations of Tums are safe for dogs to have in small quantities.

But older formulas and other antacids or heartburn medications may contain toxic ingredients like xylitol. These should be avoided completely.

Giving your dog calcium carbonate Tums frequently may result in higher than normal calcium levels (hypercalcemia). Side effects of high calcium levels in the blood include:

• Weakness

• Listlessness

• Increased thirst

• Loss of appetite

Long-term effects of prolonged hypercalcemia include the formation of bladder stones, kidney stones, and development of kidney disease.

How do Tums work?

Tums are designed for human consumption.

When we get heartburn, that means our stomach acid is bubbling up into our esophagus. Tums (calcium carbonate) calms down the bubbles and relieves the symptoms of acid reflux.

Once the food leaves the stomach and goes into the small intestine. After the stomach is emptied, the heartburn and acid reflux is usually lessened.

The process for dogs is basically the same, but they’re digestive process is much faster than ours.

From end to end, humans process food in around 36 hours. Dogs do it in only 8 hours.

So the time that food is actually in the dog’s stomach is only an hour or less.

By the time you realize that your has an upset stomach, the Tums you give them would only give them 10-15 minutes of relief anyway.

What dosage of Tums can I give my dog?

Stop!

Before you give your dog anything, be sure to check with your vet. They know what is best for your specific dog, so they can tell you if and how much Tums you can give your dog.

That said, the basic rule of thumb is about 1 gram per 15 pounds every 24 hours. For instance:

• Small dogs (15-30lbs): 1-2g

• Medium dogs (30-60lbs): 2-4g

• Large dogs (60-90lbs): 4-6g

• Giant dogs (90-120lbs): 6-8g

What else can I use to treat my dog’s upset stomach?

Giving your dog Tums falls into a gray area of treatment. Here are some better, healthier alternatives you can consider when your pooch has a grumbly tummy.

Ice cubes

I’m not sure why, but dogs love ice cubes (probably because of the crunch!).

If they’re not drinking any water, feeding them ice cubes or ice chips can help them stay hydrated and hopefully help their upset stomach.

Ginger

Personally, I love Ginger (see what I did there?).

Ginger root has been used for thousands of years to treat an upset stomach and even motion sickness.

You can treat your dog’s upset stomach by boiling some fresh ginger root slices in water and feeding it to them.

Gingerbread or gingersnap cookies can also settle their tummy ache. Just make sure they are sugar-free and xylitol-free!

Pumpkin

Pumpkin does wonders for a dog’s diet and digestion issues.

It contains lots of water that can dilute excessive stomach acid. Pumpkin also contains lots of fiber to make their bathroom trips go much smoother.

Safe OTC medications

Not all over the counter medications are bad for dogs.

Veterinarians commonly recommend Pepcid and Prilosec to treat heartburn or stomach ulcers.

In certain cases, vets may also recommend use of Pepto-Bismol or Imodium.

But before you rush off to the medicine cabinet, make sure you check with your vet first.

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