Milk of magnesia has been used by people all over the world for a very long time, and it has most commonly been used to treat constipation problems. However, in spite of the popular belief, milk of magnesia has nothing to do with dairy products. It has been named milk of magnesia because of its white color and milk-like appearance.
In reality, this is a mixture of magnesium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, and purified water. Many people actually use milk of magnesia for many different purposes, such as getting rid of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, taking care of problems with acne, or even as a natural body spray. Namely, it has been reported that milk of magnesia has helped many people get rid of body odor, but these are only personal reports.
The two main uses of milk of magnesia are as a constipation helper, as well as an antacid. The key ingredient of milk of magnesia is magnesium, and magnesium is exactly what helps with constipation. Namely, magnesium has the role of softening feces by drawing water into the intestines. This is exactly why it acts like a laxative, and a very effective one. On the other hand, milk of magnesia is also a very powerful antacid. What this means is that the Magnesium hydroxide found in milk of magnesia is great in neutralizing acids. So, when we take a dose of milk of magnesia, it reacts with the acids in our stomach and neutralizes them, turning them into water. So, if you are having problems with heartburn, milk of magnesia is the best thing to take.
Can I Give My Cat Milk of Magnesia? Answer: Yes, With Vet’s Approval
When it comes to our pets, we all want to make sure that nothing bad happens to them. When our pets are sick, we feel that we would do anything to help them get better. This is exactly why so many pet owners tend to use medications made for human consumption in order to help their pets feel better.
While this can be a good idea in some situations, it is a very bad idea in some other situations. Unfortunately, there is no rule of thumb here. So, if you want to help you pet, it is best to consult a vet, and never medicate your pet on your own.
Constipation Issues
Cats can often have constipation due to something they ate, or as a result of something entirely different and unknown to their owners. It is very important to be sure that your cat has constipation and not a blocked urinary tract – as the latter will cause serious problems for your pet.
So, if your cat is urinating normally but has constipation, you can use milk of magnesia to help with the constipation. However, you should consult your veterinarian before you do this, because there are some side effects of giving your cat milk of magnesia, and there are situations in which you would be better off giving your cat a different medicine.
The Dosage of Milk of Magnesia for Cats
Most vets will tell you not to give more than 2 teaspoons of milk of magnesia per 5 pounds of weight.
It is very important to understand that this is not something you should do more than once, meaning that this is something that should work after the first time you give your cat milk of magnesia. If this doesn’t help, you should definitely contact your vet and see what they have to say about the situation.
What Else Can Help With a Cat’s Constipation?
Another human medication that can help your cat relieve the effects of constipation is Metamucil powder. A teaspoon of Metamucil powder can be sprinkled over your cat’s food once or even twice a day in order to get rid of constipation. However, this should be done for only one or two days, after which you should contact your vet. Also, some cow’s milk will also help with constipation, as most cats are actually lactose intolerant.
Give Your Cat Milk of Magnesia, But Only Once!
The rule related to giving your cat milk of magnesia is the following: do it only once! If this doesn’t help your cat, there is no need to continue with the same medication. Instead you should always call your vet and let them know what is going on.
How much Milk of Magnesia do I give a 1 pound cat? What are the side effects? I need some help.
As stated, it is very important to understand that this is not something you should do more than once. And, if this doesn’t help, you should contact your vet and see what they have to say about the situation.
A 1 pound cat means a tiny young kitten. If that’s what you have, you are better off wetting a bunch of cotton balls and wiping her little tushie the same way the mother would have helped it to go with her tongue.