Calcium Information

Dogs Need Calcium in Their Diet

Calcium information and the rigth facts about calcium in dog food is important. Just as humans do, dogs also need calcium, and for basically the same reasons. Depending on the gender and age of the dog, the calcium requirements will vary.

Part of the calcium requirement cannot be mentioned without mentioning phosphorous as well. Both are essential for a healthy body. Their body needs more calcium than phosphorous.

This essential mineral is necessary for blood coagulation, nerve impulse transmission, bone formation and blood coagulation.

The amount of calcium in foods varies greatly. Legumes, dairy and bones contain large amounts of calcium, while grains, organ tissues and meats contain relatively small amounts.

Calcium and Phosphorous

While concentrating on the calcium content of your dogs food, you must keep in mind the phosphorous requirements as well. Finding the right balance is vitally important. Too much phosphorous can cause failure of the kidneys.

Reading nutritional labels is a must. Some foods low in calcium are high in phosphorous. On the other hand there are many that are high in both. Providing balance can be hard unless the proper minerals are included in the diet.

During lactation and growth peaks 1.0-1.8% of the diet should be calcium. During the last trimester and during their periods of adolescents .8-1.5% is adequate. When a dog is fully grown and not giving birth the need goes down to .5-.9%.

Facts About Calcium In Modern Premium Foods

There was a time in history when calcium deficiencies were very common. This resulted from our dogs being fed diets that were high in meat and organs.

These are very high in phosphorous and low in calcium. If proper supplements were not provided there would be a distinct possibility of rickets which is a skeletal abnormality. Bones become very brittle and thin and easily fractured.

With today's modern premium foods, the risk of low calcium is lessened. The only time you may see a calcium deficiency is during a dogs pregnancy and during lactation. Switching to a properly balanced diet will prevent this.

Calcium information and science have done the risks of the past a lot less likely to happening.

Calcium Information and Hip Dysplasia

Excessive amounts of calcium in a dogs diet can also cause severe problems.

Recently there were studies wherein dogs were fed an excessive amount of calcium to study the effects.

High calcium diets can result in bone deformities in young and rapidly growing dogs. The animals that received these excessive levels of calcium had and increased occurrence of hip dysplasia and other skeletal abnormalities.

On the other hand, there is no evidence that feeding a dog a lower amount of calcium during their growth periods will decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia.

Puppy foods that were well calcium balanced would provide a healthy diet for any puppy, not just small ones.

Puppy foods that are higher in calcium, that are advertised for large breed puppies, do not seem to show any significant advantage.

Phosphorous and calcium working in tandem in the body will promote healthy growth of the bones in your dog.

The correct ratio is important.

The usual problems arise when owners prepare a homemade diet for their dogs and overly supplement with these minerals.

It is just a matter of research and finding a well balanced commercially prepared dog food to help maintain the integrity of your dogs skeletal system.