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Can Dogs Have Tums? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQs
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Tums are great for people. They work fast to kill heartburn and settle an upset stomach. The chalky medicine can be found in most households and almost every drug store. The ubiquitous nature and safe ingredients for people make some people think that their dogs will also appreciate the benefits of Tums. But is that true? Can dogs have Tums? Are they healthy?
The main ingredient in Tums is safe for dogs, but Tums has more than one ingredient. At the end of the day, Tums are made for people, so you should be hesitant before giving them to your dogs. Here is everything you need to know before giving your dog Tums.
What Is the Main Ingredient of Tums?
The main ingredient of Tums and similar products is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is created from crushed limestone and is generally safe for dogs. However, Tums do not just have calcium carbonate in them. Sometimes Tums contain additives that can be very dangerous for dogs. In some rare cases, these additives can even be fatal.
The Hidden Dangers of Tums for Dogs
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar replacement that is featured in many products made for humans. The problem is xylitol is toxic to dogs and can even be fatal. You should never give anything to your dogs that have xylitol in them. Common things that contain xylitol are medications, sugar free candies, mints, and gum. Before giving your dog any Tums, or Tums equivalent, you should carefully check the ingredients for xylitol. Xylitol is used in Tums to help give it some sugary flavor to make them more palatable for humans to eat. This might make Tums easier to swallow for people, but it could be fatal for your dog.
Food Dyes
Another thing commonly found in Tums are food dyes. Many Tums are colored for no reason other than aesthetics. Some dogs are allergic to certain human food dyes. Food dyes can give your dogs a stomach ache or cause them to break out in a rash. If your dog has ever had an adverse effect from a food dye, you should avoid giving them Tums.
Do Tums Work on Dogs?
Tums do work on dogs in a similar way that they work on humans. Calcium carbonate can help soothe a dog’s stomach. It can also add calcium fortifying characteristics to your dog’s diet, which is good for bone strength. However, Tums are designed to be eaten by people and not by dogs. Even if they can be helpful for dogs, you should not give them without a veterinarian’s consent.
Should You Give Your Dogs Tums?
Before giving your dog Tums you should consult your veterinarian. Generally, there are other medications to help soothe a dog’s stomach that are designed specifically for dogs and are generally far more effective than Tums. You should also not give your dogs Tums unless you are sure that they are free of xylitol and harmful food dyes.
Conclusion
While Tums are made up of harmless calcium carbonate, they might not be the best product for your pupper because they contain other ingredients as well. Tums are made for people, and there are medications made for dogs that you can be sure are safe. Your veterinarian will have more information about your particular dog and what medications are best for them.
Featured Image Credit: Brett Hondow, Pixabay
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Grant is a freelance writer with years of experience writing about a diverse range of topics. His days are spent writing and caring for eight animals (two horses, two donkeys, two goats, and two dogs). In his free time he enjoys slowly carving out a quaint hobby farm from the Southern scrub. He currently lives in his native Florida with his wife and son.
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