The necessity of calcium supplementation for dogs

Calcium is an essential element for dogs. It is not only the main component of dog bones and teeth, but also maintains the normal activity of nerves and muscles. In addition, calcium is also Plays an important role in the process of blood clotting and milk secretion. Generally speaking, adult dogs need 250 mg of calcium per kilogram of body weight per day, while growing dogs need double that, which is 500 mg per day. If the dog is a large dog or the dog is pregnant or nursing, the owner may also need to take appropriate artificial calcium supplements. In addition, owners need to note that dogs that eat animal liver for a long time may lack calcium, because animal liver is rich in vitamin A, and vitamin A can inhibit the absorption of calcium, so dogs that eat animal liver for a long time should also supplement calcium.

The dangers of calcium deficiency in dogs

Puppies are prone to rickets due to calcium deficiency. At the same time, they may also develop double rows of teeth, rib valgus, joint deformation, etc. Adult dogs are prone to calcium deficiency. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, indigestion, weight loss, and osteoporosis will occur. Calcium deficiency in pregnant female dogs will affect the growth of the fetus. If female dogs are deficient in calcium after delivery, they may show symptoms of convulsions and inability to stand. In severe cases, It can also lead to shock and death.
When dogs are deficient in calcium, owners can add foods with higher calcium content to their feed, such as dairy products, bone meal, etc. If the dog is severely deficient in calcium, the owner will take them to the pet hospital for treatment. The veterinarian will usually supplement the dog with calcium through drug treatment. Some owners will also buy calcium tablets or calcium powder to supplement their dogs' calcium. However, the amount of calcium supplement may need to be determined by the owner after discussing with the veterinarian, because if the dog's calcium supplement is excessive, on the one hand, it will increase the possibility of forming stones in the urinary system. On the other hand, it will also affect the dog’s absorption of other nutrients.

Supplementing calcium to dogs must be appropriate, otherwise it will be more dangerous

I often hear many owners say that puppies or adult dogs need calcium supplements. But did you know? Don’t give your dog calcium supplements blindly. Otherwise, not only will the dog not be stronger, but he will sometimes get sick.

Dogs are prone to excessive calcium supplementation

It is very common for dogs to take excessive calcium. Feeding finished dog food to dogs while adding mineral feed containing a lot of calcium can easily cause this kind of situation. Complete feed (only applicable to adult dogs) or puppy feed contains enough calcium. If dogs are fed such feed normally and there is no excess other meat, etc., then there is no need to add additional mineral feed and similar products. For example: a three-month-old puppy, say, about 10 kilograms, will grow to 30 kilograms in the future, so the required daily calcium intake is about 8-10 grams. Then, the puppy needs 400 grams of feed per day (this means pure meat products, not added mixed feed). Generally speaking, about 0.35% calcium per 100 grams is enough to fully meet the needs of dogs. For dogs, in addition to this, if two spoons of calcium powder are added, the intake is already 16 grams, so the calcium is much more than what the dog needs, and at the same timeThe intake of phosphorus does not increase proportionally during the period, resulting in an imbalance in the calcium-phosphorus ratio.
Especially in large and medium-sized dogs, doing so can cause many skeletal problems. For example, large dogs such as golden retrievers are more likely to suffer from hip joint disease if they receive excessive calcium supplements.

Dogs that need calcium supplements

1. If a nursing dog mother is weak after giving birth, she can take appropriate calcium supplements 10 days after giving birth. If the situation is serious, you can go to the animal hospital for intravenous calcium supplementation to alleviate the symptoms of calcium deficiency of the dog mother as much as possible.
2. Osteoporosis, fractures, and bone spurs are very likely to occur in elderly dogs. In addition to spending more time in the sun, it is very important to supplement easily absorbed calcium.
4. Symptoms of calcium deficiency in dogs
1. The limbs are deformed and the legs are X-shaped or O-shaped;
2. The toes are separated and the legs fall to the ground unstable;
3. There are signs of deformation in the joints;
4. There is drooling;
5. Do not like sports and do not run actively;
6. Calcium deficiency during the tooth replacement period, causing the growth of permanent teeth Slow, thin enamel layer, double rows of teeth or poor bite;
5. Misunderstandings about calcium supplementation
1. Calcium supplementation with milk: The lactose in milk can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs and may cause diarrhea. etc.
2. Calcium supplementation for humans: The bodies of humans and dogs are very different, let alone the differences in gastrointestinal absorption. Therefore, never use human calcium supplements to supplement calcium for dogs. This is to prevent calcium supplementation from failing and causing harm to the dog.
6. Summary: Dogs don’t need repairs most of the time. Although calcium deficiency is extremely harmful to the health of dogs, as long as the dog eats dog food normally, calcium deficiency generally does not occur. Calcium deficiency is caused by some diet and diseases. Dog food has been researched and developed for decades. It can be said that the technology and formula are mature enough to meet the calcium absorption requirements of dogs. Therefore, if your dog can eat dog food normally, there is no need to supplement the dog with extra calcium.