Alka Seltzer is commonly used as an antacid, a pain reliever, and an allergy reliever.
Some swear that it can even help kick cold symptoms.
Because of its many uses, some people may wonder if it is safe to give to their four-legged friends.
Can You Give Your Dog Alka Seltzer?
The short answer is that no, you should never give your dog Alka Seltzer tablets.
Although there are over 30 different types of Alka Seltzer, almost all are not safe for dogs, and some of the PLUS products can be particularly harmful.
Why Alka Seltzer Is Bad for Dogs
To understand why Alka Seltzer is bad for dogs, you need to understand the ingredients that it is made out of.
Some varieties can contain aspirin, which can damage the lining of your dog’s stomach.
If that isn’t bad enough, the acetaminophen in some varieties is toxic enough to cause severe pain and even death.
Varieties of Alka Seltzer
The three kinds of Alka Seltzer that contain aspirin are:
- Alka Seltzer Original
- Lemon-Lime
- Extra Strength Alka Seltzer
All of these should never be given to a dog, and if your dog accidentally consumes some, you should notify your vet immediately.
Alka Seltzer Plus
Alka Seltzer has numerous PLUS products, most of which need to be kept away from dogs.
The effervescent tablets contain aspirin, many of the liquid gels contain acetaminophen, and all of the hot drink mixes contain acetaminophen.
One of the only products that would be remotely safe, although still not advised, is Alka-Seltzer Plus Extended-Release Tablets.
This product is similar to Robitussin, which is safe for dogs to consume if given the correct dose as advised by a vet.
Similarly, Alka Seltzer Relief Chews aren’t considered toxic, nor are the Heartburn Relief Gummies.
However, even though these are technically not toxic to dogs, that doesn’t mean that you should give them to your dog.
There are numerous other medications that are safer and more effective for pain relief, cough, and allergies in dogs.
What To Do If Your Dog Ingests Unsafe Alka Seltzer
Firstly, if your dog has ingested any type of Alka Seltzer, you should call your vet immediately.
If they are not available, you should call the Animal Poison Control hotline.
In some cases, they may instruct you to induce vomiting at home or take your vet to the nearest clinic if you live close by.
Dog-Friendly Alternatives
If you are looking for something to help soothe your dog’s indigestion, there are a lot of other methods that you should try.
Firstly, take a look at your dog’s diet and see what foods could be causing indigestion.
High-fat foods and treats should be eliminated for healthier and easy-to-digest alternatives.
If you’re feeding your dog a lot of high-fat table scraps, you should also refrain, no matter how cute they are when they beg.
Limiting protein can also help reduce uncomfortable symptoms, although it shouldn’t be taken away completely.
Changing your dog’s eating schedule may also help to relieve indigestion, especially if you’re feeding them two large meals every day.
Consider breaking up their meals into smaller, easier-to-digest portions so that their stomachs aren’t overly filled.
Small snacks during the day can also help mitigate acid build-up which can cause dogs to vomit bile.
Try feeding them a small breakfast, a noontime snack, a smaller dinner, and then a snack before bed.
By spreading out their feeding, you can help prevent them from eating too much while still keeping something in their stomach throughout the day.
If your dog is struggling with irritation of the esophagus due to stomach acid, slippery elm bark can be used to help ease the discomfort.
Slippery elm can be found in a powder that is dissolved in boiled water then given to the dog in small doses once cooled.
Consult Your Vet
If your dog is struggling with indigestion, a cough, or cold symptoms, your first course of action should always be to contact your vet and not head to your local drug store.
While some of these problems can be treated easily at home, they can also be signs of an underlying problem that only your vet can diagnose.
When it comes to keeping your dog happy and healthy, always follow the advice of your veterinarian and never try to guesstimate medication.