Dog Calcium Deficiency Symptoms & Supplementing Tips

Why Do Dogs Lack Calcium?

Dogs can experience calcium deficiencies for a variety of reasons, which can generally be categorized into the following:

1. Dietrelated Issues: Choosing the wrong type of food can lead to calcium deficiencies in dogs. For instance, opting for dog food with low calcium content or frequently feeding them with animal organs and raw meat can be problematic. Particularly, animal liver, which is rich in vitamin A, can inhibit the absorption of calcium.

2. Poor Absorption and Conversion: If the dog's diet contains adequate calcium, it's essential to consider the dog's own issues. Some dogs with poor digestion and low appetite may struggle to absorb calcium effectively. Additionally, some dogs have poor conversion abilities, where they absorb calcium but cannot properly utilize it, leading to its excretion from the body.

3. Parasite Infections: Parasites can absorb or disrupt the absorption of nutrients in the body.

Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency in Dogs

When dogs exhibit these nine symptoms, it's often a sign of calcium deficiency:

Weak and wobbly legs

Malformation of Oshaped or Xshaped legs

Nonerect ears

Poor hip joint development

Postpartum paralysis with convulsions and difficulty breathing

Joint swelling

Difficulty walking with a limp

Brittle bones prone to fractures

Double rows of teeth

Calcium deficiencies in puppies can affect growth and development, sometimes even causing joint deformities that hinder walking. During the 46 month period when puppies are growing their permanent teeth, calcium deficiencies can slow down the growth of these teeth, lead to the retention of milk teeth, and ultimately cause oral problems.

During the mating process, adult male dogs consume a significant amount of calcium, while pregnant female dogs need to supplement calcium to ensure the healthy development of their puppies. Older dogs may suffer from osteoporosis and have reduced calcium absorption, increasing the risk of fractures if they do not receive adequate calcium.

How to Supplement Calcium for Dogs

There are three methods to supplement calcium, with noticeable effects typically occurring within one month. It's crucial to determine whether the dog's symptoms are due to calcium deficiency and seek immediate medical attention for other issues, such as fractures, which may require imaging.

Diets: Opt for highcalcium dog food or consider giving them goat's milk.

Medication: Crush calcium tablets into a powder and mix it with the dog's food.

Sunlight and exercise: These can enhance calcium absorption.

Note: If calcium deficiency is caused by parasites, it's essential to deworm promptly. In summary, proper calcium supplementation should be balanced with a nutritious diet, and it's important not to forget about vitamin intake as well.