How much calcium does your dog need every day?
Daily Calcium Needs for Dogs
“There are two important elements to consider: the amount of calcium and its proportion to the amount of phosphorus in your dog’s diet,” says Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc, chief veterinary officer with NationwideDVM, a pet insurer company.
He further explains that young dogs need almost twice as much of the mineral calcium as do fully grown dogs.
This means “at least 1% dry matter in young dogs versus at least 0.5% in grown dogs,” says Dr. Benson.
Phosphorous is also a mineral. Dr. Benson points out that the opinions differ among veterinarians, but the generally recommended ratio, he says, is generally 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorous (a ratio of 1.2:1).
Calcium in Commercial Dog Food
“The good news is that nutritionally balanced commercial dog foods are prepared for different life-stages, and already have the proper amount of calcium included,” notes Dr. Benson.
Your dog, then, should be getting enough calcium in his daily diet if you’re feeding him the proper portion size.
Calcium Deficiency and Surplus: Possible Fallouts
If your pet doesn’t get adequate amounts of this vital mineral, problems could result. However, too much of this mineral can also result in health ailments.
Dr. Benson explains, “A diet that is deficient in calcium can lead to weakened teeth and bones, while too much calcium can lead to a wide range of health concerns, from constipation and kidney disease to increased risk of skeletal problems such as hip dysplasia.”
Though hip dysplasia is more prevalent in certain breeds, such as the German Shepherd, this doesn’t mean that diet can’t play a role in its development.
And of course, constipation is no picnic, and doesn’t always mean that lack of fiber is the culprit.
This is why it’s important to be very tuned-in to what your pet is eating.
Dr. Benson urges people to always discuss their pet’s diet (including “treats”) and any vitamin supplementation with a veterinarian to make sure that their dog is getting proper nutrition all-around, including the right amount of calcium, in their daily menu.
Dr. Benson is regularly consulted by many media outlets including ABC, NBC, FOX, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times to provide pet health advice to pet parents nationwide. pupp
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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