Dogs can include magnesium in their diet, but giving them human magnesium pills is not recommended unless specifically advised by a veterinarian. What Should You Do if Your Dog Ate a Magnesium Pill? If your dog has ingested an unknown amount of magnesium, it’s important to act promptly: When to Consult a Vet Immediately consult …
Dogs can include magnesium in their diet, but giving them human magnesium pills is not recommended unless specifically advised by a veterinarian.
What Should You Do if Your Dog Ate a Magnesium Pill?
If your dog has ingested an unknown amount of magnesium, it’s important to act promptly:
Stay Calm: Your reaction can affect your dog’s stress levels.
Assess the Situation: Estimate how much magnesium your dog consumed by checking the packaging or remnants.
Observe Your Dog: Watch for signs of distress like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, muscle weakness, or behavioral changes.
Contact a Veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline: Get professional advice based on the type and amount of magnesium ingested and your dog’s specifics.
Follow Professional Advice: Your vet may ask you to bring your dog in for an examination or give instructions on monitoring them at home. They might also recommend inducing vomiting, but only do this with professional guidance, as it can be dangerous in some situations.
Monitor Closely: Even if your dog seems fine, symptoms can develop later. Watch for changes in behavior, appetite, or physical condition.
Prevent Future Incidents: Store supplements and medications out of your dog’s reach.
When to Consult a Vet
Immediately consult a veterinarian if the amount of ingested magnesium is unclear.
In this study, doses of up to 50 mg/kg/hr, administered intravenously, were generally considered non-toxic.
Symptoms of Excess Magnesium in Dogs
High Doses: Vomiting, decreased movement, staggering gait, lying down, and flushed conjunctiva and ear auricles.
Low Doses: Diarrhea and gas are likely to be the primary symptoms.
While diarrhea and gas are common side effects of excess magnesium in dogs, it’s important to remember that humans and dogs process nutrients differently. If you’re concerned about excess magnesium in yourself, you can read our posts about magnesium causing bloating and gas or gastritis.
Is Magnesium Dangerous for Dogs?
Research involving 6-month-old female beagle dogs found no fatalities at a dose of up to 1200 mg/kg. When examining the impact over time, it was considered that a potentially lethal dose would exceed 200 mg/kg/hr or 91 mg/lb/hr.
In a separate study, also involving female beagle dogs, fatalities were observed when the dose reached 200 mg/kg/hr. Specifically, two dogs administered this dose died approximately 32 hours after the start of the intravenous infusion. The study concluded that magnesium doses bigger than 50 mg/kg/hr would be dangerous.
Putting Dosage into Perspective
For a 30-pound (13.6 kg) dog, a dose of 23 mg/lb per hour or 50 mg/kg per hour is generally safe, equating to about 680 mg per hour.
Most human magnesium supplements contain 250-500 mg per tablet. While a single pill may not be immediately harmful, consult a veterinarian for an assessment.
Calculation Formula
Mg: Total ingested dose of magnesium in milligrams.
Lb: Dog’s weight.
Hr: Time over which the magnesium was consumed.
Dangerous Dosage:mg/lb/ h ≥ 23.
Examples
Golden Retriever (65 pounds / 29.5 kg) eats 5792 mg of magnesium (about 16 pills of Beellith’s 362mg magnesium tablets) in one hour:
5792 / 65 = 89.10
Immediate medical attention would be needed.
Corgi (22 pounds / 10 kg) eats 400 mg of magnesium (two pills, each 200mg of magnesium) in one hour:
400 / 22 = 18
Consulting a veterinarian is recommended
Magnesium Supplement Dosage for Dogs
Determining the correct magnesium dosage depends on the dog’s size, diet, health, and specific conditions. Always consult a veterinarian for accurate dosage recommendations.
Recommended Dietary Allowance: About 150 mg daily for a 10 kg (22 lbs) dog. This includes all magnesium through diet and supplementation. This guideline varies depending on the dog’s age, size, and health status.
Supplement Dosage: Typically ranges from 1 to 2 mg of magnesium per pound of body weight per day, but can vary.
Diet and Health Conditions: Dogs on a balanced diet may not need supplements. Those with certain health conditions, like kidney disease, may need different amounts.
FAQ
Can I give my dog human magnesium supplements?
No, unless specifically advised by a veterinarian, giving your dog human magnesium supplements is not recommended.
What should I do if my dog eats a magnesium pill?
Stay calm, assess how much they consumed, observe for distress, contact your vet or pet poison helpline, and follow their advice.
What are the signs of magnesium overdose in dogs?
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, muscle weakness, and changes in behavior.
How can I prevent my dog from ingesting magnesium pills?
Store all supplements and medications out of your dog’s reach to prevent accidental ingestion.
How much magnesium is safe for dogs?
The safe amount depends on the dog’s size, diet, and health. Typically, the recommended dietary allowance is about 150 mg per day for a 10 kg dog. Consult your vet for personalized advice.
Steve Jenkins is an accomplished leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He’s the Executive Chairman of Beach Pharmaceuticals, a role he’s been flourishing in since January 2017. Jenkins brings a solid scientific foundation to his work, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida. His strong background and many years of experience in the industry give him unique insights and a deep understanding of the field.
Can Dogs Eat Magnesium Pills?
Dogs can include magnesium in their diet, but giving them human magnesium pills is not recommended unless specifically advised by a veterinarian. What Should You Do if Your Dog Ate a Magnesium Pill? If your dog has ingested an unknown amount of magnesium, it’s important to act promptly: When to Consult a Vet Immediately consult …
Dogs can include magnesium in their diet, but giving them human magnesium pills is not recommended unless specifically advised by a veterinarian.
What Should You Do if Your Dog Ate a Magnesium Pill?
If your dog has ingested an unknown amount of magnesium, it’s important to act promptly:
When to Consult a Vet
Immediately consult a veterinarian if the amount of ingested magnesium is unclear.
In this study, doses of up to 50 mg/kg/hr, administered intravenously, were generally considered non-toxic.
Symptoms of Excess Magnesium in Dogs
While diarrhea and gas are common side effects of excess magnesium in dogs, it’s important to remember that humans and dogs process nutrients differently. If you’re concerned about excess magnesium in yourself, you can read our posts about magnesium causing bloating and gas or gastritis.
Is Magnesium Dangerous for Dogs?
Research involving 6-month-old female beagle dogs found no fatalities at a dose of up to 1200 mg/kg. When examining the impact over time, it was considered that a potentially lethal dose would exceed 200 mg/kg/hr or 91 mg/lb/hr.
In a separate study, also involving female beagle dogs, fatalities were observed when the dose reached 200 mg/kg/hr. Specifically, two dogs administered this dose died approximately 32 hours after the start of the intravenous infusion. The study concluded that magnesium doses bigger than 50 mg/kg/hr would be dangerous.
Putting Dosage into Perspective
For a 30-pound (13.6 kg) dog, a dose of 23 mg/lb per hour or 50 mg/kg per hour is generally safe, equating to about 680 mg per hour.
Most human magnesium supplements contain 250-500 mg per tablet. While a single pill may not be immediately harmful, consult a veterinarian for an assessment.
Calculation Formula
Examples
Golden Retriever (65 pounds / 29.5 kg) eats 5792 mg of magnesium (about 16 pills of Beellith’s 362mg magnesium tablets) in one hour:
5792 / 65 = 89.10
Immediate medical attention would be needed.
Corgi (22 pounds / 10 kg) eats 400 mg of magnesium (two pills, each 200mg of magnesium) in one hour:
400 / 22 = 18
Consulting a veterinarian is recommended
Magnesium Supplement Dosage for Dogs
Determining the correct magnesium dosage depends on the dog’s size, diet, health, and specific conditions. Always consult a veterinarian for accurate dosage recommendations.
FAQ
No, unless specifically advised by a veterinarian, giving your dog human magnesium supplements is not recommended.
Stay calm, assess how much they consumed, observe for distress, contact your vet or pet poison helpline, and follow their advice.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, muscle weakness, and changes in behavior.
Store all supplements and medications out of your dog’s reach to prevent accidental ingestion.
The safe amount depends on the dog’s size, diet, and health. Typically, the recommended dietary allowance is about 150 mg per day for a 10 kg dog. Consult your vet for personalized advice.
Article by Steve JenkinsSteve Jenkins is an accomplished leader in the pharmaceutical industry. He’s the Executive Chairman of Beach Pharmaceuticals, a role he’s been flourishing in since January 2017. Jenkins brings a solid scientific foundation to his work, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida. His strong background and many years of experience in the industry give him unique insights and a deep understanding of the field.