Essential Tips for Dog Calcium Needs: A Comprehensive G

3 Simple Ways to Check if Your Dog is Lacking in Calcium

Examine the Teeth

At around 4 to 6 months, puppies begin to lose their milk teeth and grow permanent ones. If your dog is deficient in calcium during this stage, it can lead to milk teeth not falling out properly, and the adult teeth may grow slowly, resulting in issues like double rows of teeth, large gaps, or uneven teeth alignment.

Take a close look at your dog's teeth to see if they are properly aligned.

Observe the Body Shape

Dogs with calcium deficiencies may exhibit symptoms such as ribs sticking out, elbow joint deformities, Oshaped or Xshaped legs, and in larger breeds, weakness and lameness in the hind legs.

Check if your dog's ribs and limbs are straight and properly aligned.

Assess the General Condition

Dogs lacking in calcium might show signs of fatigue, poor appetite, picky eating, weight loss, and a dull, rough coat with a lack of luster.

Behaviors That May Lead to Calcium Deficiency

Unbalanced Diet: Prolonged consumption of a single, unbalanced diet can lead to malnutrition and severe calcium deficiency, as it fails to meet the dog's nutritional needs and lacks essential nutrients for calcium absorption.

Excessive Liver Intake: Dogs that regularly consume large amounts of liver can develop calcium deficiencies due to high levels of vitamin A, which inhibits calcium absorption.

Calcium Without Phosphorus: Calcium and phosphorus are interdependent; phosphorus is the second most abundant mineral in a dog's body, crucial for bone composition. An imbalance in the calciumphosphorus ratio can hinder calcium absorption.

Common Misconceptions About Calcium Supplementation

Many owners worry about their dogs' calcium intake and may oversupplement, which can be more harmful than a deficiency.

Developmental Hip Dysplasia: Oversupplementation can disrupt the growth rhythm of bones and muscles, leading to hip dysplasia if muscle growth doesn't keep pace with bone growth.

Stunted Growth: Excessive calcium during growth can cause premature closure of growth plates, leading to shorter stature.

Urological Disorders: Excess calcium is mostly excreted through feces and urine, and high levels of calcium in urine can lead to urological diseases.

Organ Diseases: High levels of calcium in the blood can deposit in organs, leading to vascular hardening.

Deficiency in Other Trace Elements: Excess calcium can inhibit the absorption of other trace elements, causing iron and zinc deficiencies, leading to weakened immunity and anemia.

Traditional Calcium Supplements: Not Always Effective

Traditional methods like drinking milk, bone broth, or chewing bones can be risky and may not be effective.

Milk: Milk is not easily absorbed by dogs and can cause diarrhea and vomiting. It's not recommended as a calcium supplement.

Bone Broth: A bowl of bone broth contains only about 1.5 milligrams of calcium, which is far from the daily requirement for an adult dog. Additionally, it's high in fat and low in calcium, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort if consumed in large amounts.

Chewing Bones: For puppies, chewing bones too early can affect tooth development, and soft bones can pose a risk of puncturing the intestines or causing choking.

Correct Ways to Supplement Calcium

Outdoor Sunlight: Increasing outdoor activity and sun exposure is the safest and most effective way to supplement calcium, as it enhances calcium absorption and aids in digestion.

Balanced Diet: Choose highquality dog food that has a suitable calciumphosphorus ratio and balanced nutrition.

Avoid Unnecessary Supplementation: Generally, dogs do not require additional calcium supplementation. Adequate rest, outdoor exercise, and a balanced diet are sufficient. However, lactating female dogs may need extra calcium.