Common Signs of Calcium Deficiency in Dogs and Solution

Why Do Pets Need Calcium Supplements?

Domesticated pets, unlike their wild counterparts, cannot naturally forage for food and grow according to their innate developmental patterns and hunting instincts. As a result, they often require additional nutritional support throughout different stages of growth to ensure they meet their normal developmental needs.

At What Stages Should Pets Be Given Calcium Supplements?

Scientifically speaking, pets require calcium supplementation throughout their lives, but there are specific periods when it is most crucial:

1. Weaning Stage

During the weaning stage, puppies grow rapidly and have a higher demand for calcium. If homemade food is being used, it's especially important to ensure adequate calcium intake. After weaning, puppies no longer receive nutrients from their mother's milk and have underdeveloped intestines with poor absorption capabilities. Providing food rich in easily absorbable calcium sources is essential. Supplementing calcium during this stage can significantly promote the pet's growth throughout its life, preventing issues like poor bone development, rickets, and osteomalacia later on.

2. Senior Stage

As pets age, their bodies may experience a decline in physiological functions and endocrine imbalances, leading to calcium loss in their bones and potentially resulting in osteoporosis and bone spurs. Older pets often have reduced intestinal absorption, making it even more important to provide highquality, easily absorbable calcium sources. Additionally, they may benefit from extra vitamin and joint supplements to enhance calcium absorption and support joint health.

3. Postpartum Lactation Stage

Female dogs that are lactating and secreting large amounts of calcium into their milk are at a high risk of acute calcium deficiency, which can be severe, leading to symptoms like convulsions, fainting, elevated body temperature, and even death in severe cases. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize calcium supplementation for lactating females. The nutritional status of the mother directly impacts the offspring's health, and while inorganic calcium can pose risks of heavy metal residues, it's best to opt for calcium gluconate for supplementation.

Common Calcium Supplementation Misconceptions

It's better not to supplement calcium incorrectly than to do so at all

The Role of Calcium: Calcium is primarily used in the body for the synthesis of bones and teeth, with only a small fraction in the blood, soft tissues, and extracellular fluids, where it helps regulate physiological functions, including nerve conduction. Therefore, occasional twitching can occur when calcium levels are low.

While 99% of calcium is used for bone and tooth formation, these structures also require another crucial nutrient: phosphorus. Think of bone formation as building a house; calcium is like bricks, and phosphorus is like cement. Without cement, the house can't be built. The optimal calciumtophosphorus ratio in the body is approximately 1.21.4 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus, meaning calcium needs are slightly higher than phosphorus.

Another common misconception is that feeding pets bones or milk is sufficient for calcium supplementation. However, bones contain very little calcium and are more of a treat for pets than a source of calcium. Moreover, some pet owners believe that calcium supplementation is always necessary, which is incorrect. If a pet does not need additional calcium, consuming calcium supplements can harm their health, potentially leading to toxicity.

How to Properly Supplement Calcium for Dogs

1. Change Their Diet Timely

Select highquality, appropriate dog food. Puppies should be fed a nutrientrich puppy formula designed for their digestion and absorption. Once they reach 10 months of age, switch to adult food. As they age, switch to senior dog food as well.

2. Consider Calcium Supplements

Buy dogspecific calcium supplements, which usually come with dosage instructions based on the pet's weight. Puppies should not be given bones or milk for calcium, but they can be fed calciumrich foods like soy products, shrimp shells, and fish to supplement their diet.

3. Enjoy Sunlight for Indirect Calcium Supplementation

A common misconception is that more sunlight exposure can directly increase calcium levels. In reality, sunlight exposure is not a direct source of calcium but rather a way to produce vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption. Therefore, sunlight is an indirect method of calcium supplementation!