Diarrhea can be horrible for both you and your dog. After all, you are the one who ends up cleaning the mess. If your dog has the odd bout of diarrhea, indigestion or nausea, it isn’t always necessary to take her to the vet. Since its so effective on us, you might wonder whether you can give your dog Pepto Bismol.
Yes, you CAN give Pepto Bismol to dogs. There aren’t many human medications that dogs can have but Pepto Bismol is often recommended by vets. Read on to learn more about Pepto Bismol for dogs.
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When Do Dogs Need Pepto Bismol?
When you get an upset stomach, do you often turn to Pepto Bismol for relief? Many of us do, and it can provide that same relief to a dog with an upset stomach (cats can have it too). Pepto Bismol is an over the counter medication that you don’t need to have a prescription for. However, we do recommend talking to your vet before giving your dog Pepto Bismol. While in most cases it is safe, like anything, there are occasions when some dogs can’t have it for various reasons.
It is always a good idea to visit the vet anyway, especially if your dog’s upset stomach persists. This can be a sign that there is something more serious going on with her health. But, in most cases, an upset stomach is usually caused by something a dog has ingested. There are different strengths of Pepto Bismol, and you need to be sure that you choose the proper one. It is best to err on the side of caution and just use regular strength.
How Much Pepto Bismol Should I Give My Dog?
Now that you know that Pepto Bismol for dogs is okay, you are probably wondering how much you can give to your dogs. This will depend on whether you are using the liquid form or the tablets. The general rule of thumb is to give a dosage of 0.5-1ml of the liquid Pepto Bismol per pound of weight. For the tablets, the recommended dose for dogs is 1/4 tablet per 20 lbs. of weight, every 6 to 8 hours. However, it is best to ask your vet what they recommend for a dosage, to be on the safe side.
There are two ways to give Pepto Bismol to your dog. If you are using the liquid variety, you will need to get a plastic feeding syringe (no needle). This will let you easily squirt the medicine right into the dog’s mouth. If you are using the tablets, you can hide them in your dog’s food so they will be eaten and not noticed. Trying to force a pill down a dog’s throat is never an easy task, and it is not really recommended. Another option are the chewable tablets. These tablets look and taste a lot like candy, so your dog will think they’re getting a treat.
When Should I Not Give My Dog Pepto Bismol?
In some cases, Pepto Bismol may be the appropriate medication for your dog’s upset stomach. For instance, if you give it to them for more than a day or two, and the problem persists, it could be a sign that there is a more serious health issue at play. It will be necessary to take your dog to the vet to find out what is going on.
Most of the time, it is perfectly safe to give dogs Pepto Bismol in the above-mentioned dosages. But, there are some restrictions, including dogs that have von Willebrand’s disease and other bleeding issues, pregnant dogs, or female dogs that are nursing puppies. If your dog is on other medications, you will need to make sure that they will not negatively interact with the Pepto Bismol. If this is the case, you will need to find another way to treat your dog’s upset stomach.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Side effects of dogs taking Pepto Bismol are rare, but not impossible. Side effects can include, but are not limited to:
- The tongue becoming darker in color
- Stools becoming darker in color (usually grey, dark green, or black)
- Interferences with abdominal X-rays
- Inaccuracies with some urinalysis results
Yes, Dogs Can Have Pepto Bismol in Moderation
If your dog has an upset tummy once in a while, it should be perfectly safe to give them some Pepto Bismol to settle it down. Of course, it is always best to discuss it with your vet, just to make sure that there aren’t going to be any negative side effects that could cause your dog to become ill.