When your cat is sick, it can be a horrible feeling for you and your family, and you may think of giving them Tums. They often become a part of our families, wiggling their way into our hearts with their soft fur and cute faces.
When they have medical problems, we want to do anything we can to get them better so they can continue living their happy and long life. It is often a reaction to give them the medicine they take in the hopes that it will help them in the same way that it helps us.
Many people try to give their cat Tums in order to help their upset stomach or various other medical problems. This should not be done without the consent of a vet, but it will not harm your cat. Depending on your cat’s condition, they may need to take more or less of a dose, so be sure to get information from your vet first.
Getting your cat back to health should be priority number one, and watching out for the health of your pet, no matter what type, is always important. It is an accepted practice to use this medicine when treating your animal for various diseases. Before using this to treat your animal, you need to carefully read the label to check for ingredients that your pet may be allergic to, or that may be toxic to pets, as different flavors and types have different ingredients.
Can I Give My Cat Tums? Answer: Yes
You can give your cat Tums if you feel that it will help them. Remember that you are giving your cat medicine and that this should not be done without at least the consent of a vet. However, you know your cat best and chances are you already know what types of medicine are effective in treating your cat to begin, so use your judgment when you decide to treat your cat with Tums. It is a real treatment that is prescribed by veterinarians to cats on occasion.
If you do choose to give you cat Tums, use the unflavored type. The type that is flavored has different chemicals in them to make them taste better but may cause upset stomach issues with your cat who is not used to this type of medicine. If you are in doubt, call your vet to recommend the correct treatment.
General Information
Tums are a form of antacid. They are a medicine that is normally prescribes to humans in order to heal an upset stomach. If your cat needs an antacid, but Tums are not for him or her, there are many other types of antacids on the market in the form of pills, powders, suspensions and capsules. Any of these medicines will generally have the same affect on your cat as the Tums. They should all be stored at room temperature, and given to your cat in small doses. .
In cats they are used to help cure stomach ulcers, heartburn, increased amounts of phosphorous in the blood and kidney failure. If your cat has signs of any of these diseases, you should take him or her to the vet to get a prescription for the right dose of antacid.
Doses and Side Affects
Antacids are FDA approves medicines for use in small animals. They are given in small doses. For dogs they are given in doses ranging from 5-30 mL by mouth every 12-24 hours. For cats they are given in doses 5-15 mL by mouth every 12-24 hours. Please take notice that these doses are not per pound, they are for all small animals in size, no matter how heavy. If you are unsure of the dose your animal should receive, contact your veterinarian.
Pets do not generally like the taste of this medicine and it can be difficult to get them to take is by mouth. The duration of the medicine depends on the animal itself and the disease. You need to contact a vet to find out how much and for how long you should be treating your animal with an antacid.
There are a few side effects that can occur in cats when this medicine is taken. You may see a lack of appetite, constipation or diarrhea. This product can also cause imbalances in the amount of electrolytes in your pet’s bloodstream. These side effects come from the amount of magnesium, aluminum, sodium and potassium in the antacids. If any of these side effects occur, an antacid may not be the right treatments for your pet or you may be administering the wrong dosage and you need to contact a veterinarian right away.
Warnings
Most antacids contain magnesium, which should not be used in combination with kidney failure or kidney disease. If your cat has kidney disease, the high amounts of calcium may seriously harm your pet, do not use this treatment. Also, if your cat has needs that require a restricted amount of sodium and potassium in their diet, then this treatment is not for you. Do not give Tums or any other antacid to an animal that is pregnant or nursing. The high dosage of treatments that the babies will receive is harmful.
If the reason that you are giving this treatment to your pet is because of high levels of phosphorous in the blood, then it needs to be taken with meals. Also, if your pet is on any other type of medication, then you absolutely need to call your doctor before use. Use of an antacid can increase or decrease the absorption of other drugs, causing harm to your pet.
Be Smart About It
Remember that overall, you are trying to administer a drug to your cat that is not prescribed. If the situation is an emergency and you must provide your cat with medication before you can get the help from a doctor, do not give your cat high dosages because of all the side effects and complications that are stated above. You are not your cat’s vet and just because something is helpful to you does not mean that it is helpful for your pet.
In general, Tums and antacids are an FDA approved treatment for small animals, namely cats and dogs and do not pose and immediate and dangerous threat when taken by themselves to your pet. However, contacting a veterinarian before use is recommended.
My cat is 7 years old, 9 or 10 pounds and is puking and has upset stomach. Is it okay to give him one flavored Tum chewables to help his upset stomach?
5-15 ml (milliliters; 1/1000th of a liter) is safe for a cat of any size. However, calcium is not a liquid, so a volumetric measurement must be for a solution – in which case the concentration matters.
Tums doesn’t come in milliliters. They’re tablets. It would’ve helped to give the dose in terms of 1/4 tablet, 1/2 etc..