Can I give my dog milk of magnesia?
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Milk of Magnesia is an over-the-counter medicine that comes in a suspended form. It is used as both a laxative and an antacid. This suspension contains magnesium hydroxide which is dissolved in water to make it into an aqueous solution.
Milk of Magnesia is not really made of milk. It only got the name because of its milky appearance. And the high magnesium content also contributed to its overall branding. People use it for treating abdominal disorders such as hyper acidity and constipation. It effective and provides an almost instant relief to patients suffering from these conditions.
But is Milk of Magnesia as effective in treating the same symptoms on dogs? Can it provide relief to the canine breed or is it one of those people medicines that are toxic to dogs?
Can I Give My Dog Milk of Magnesia? Answer: Yes
If you find that your dog is suffering from constipation or hyperacidity, Milk of Magnesia is one of the safest medicines that you can give to your furry friend.
If you already have Milk of Magnesia in your medicine cabinet, ask the vet if it will work for your pet dog’s particular condition. Hopefully, your dog’s condition will improve in just a few hours.
As an Antacid & Laxative
As an antacid, the magnesium contents of Milk of Magnesia acts as a neutralizer in your dog’s stomach. Through the combination of acidic ions and hydroxide ions, water is produced to neutralize the acidic components in the digestive tract. This will lessen the production of acid in the stomach and thus it will lessen the pain too.
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When used as a laxative, Milk of Magnesia works to stimulate intestinal movement. When magnesium enters the intestines, it is not readily absorbed by the system. The body will then react by releasing water from the tissues to increase the water content in the present feces that are stored in the intestines. This then results in a normal and regular bowel movement.
It is the magnesium content in the Milk of Magnesia that makes this medicine highly effective. It doesn’t only reduce the production of acid in the stomach but it also stimulates defecation through the introduction of water in the intestines. When given to dogs, it can immediately provide relief for the type of stomach problem that your dog is dealing with.
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Hyperacidity & Constipation
A sudden change in diet can cause constipation in dogs. In fact, an abrupt change in the type of food that you give to your dog can also cause diarrhea. That’s why you shouldn’t just change your dog’s diet and even the brand of dog food that you feed your pet dog without the proper transitional process. Mixing small parts of the new dog food to the usual diet will do the trick without causing any stomach upset.
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Stress can also make your dog constipated. And just like their human counterparts, stress can also result in hyperacidity. When your dog gets nervous or feels threatened in some way, the stomach can release acid. And this acid when not quickly neutralized can lead to hyperacidity or even ulcer.
You shouldn’t also ignore the fact that constipation and hyperacidity can be a sign of other serious problems (particularly in the digestive tract area). So it would be better if you take your dog to the vet for a check up if the symptoms seem to be recurring and persistent.
Giving Milk of Magnesia
As an antacid, the safe dosage for dogs is 2ml to 5ml given every 4 to 6 hours. And as a laxative, 7ml to 25ml given once a day is sufficient. If you’re using the liquid suspension solution, you can simply add this to your pet dog’s drinking water. It is still recommended that you consult a vet as your dog may have other special needs for his or her particular case.
Caring for Your Dog
It’s nice to know that people medicines like Milk of Magnesia can be safely given to the canine breed. But even so, you should still take your pet dog to the vet for regular check ups.