Before supplementing calcium for your dog, you first need to determine whether your dog is deficient in calcium and the reasons for the deficiency, so that you can supplement calcium for your dog in a timely and targeted manner.
How can I tell if my dog has a calcium deficiency?
Calcium deficiency in dogs is characterized by loss of appetite, indigestion, slow wasting and slow growth. In general, dogs with calcium deficiency are smaller than dogs of the same age without calcium deficiency, and their bones are not as strong as those of healthy dogs.
Dogs with calcium deficiency are also prone to leg and foot abnormalities, such as X- and O-shaped legs, just like people. Dogs with severe calcium deficiency will walk with a stoop and may even become paralyzed.
What are the causes of calcium deficiency in dogs?
1. Insufficient calcium in food: Calcium deficiency is caused by insufficient calcium in the food fed to dogs.
2. Poor absorption function: The calcium content in the food is sufficient, but due to the poor absorption function of the dog, such as enteritis, poor appetite, etc., it will lead to calcium deficiency.
3. Poor Calcium Conversion: Enough calcium in the food is absorbed by the dog, but the calcium is deficient due to poor conversion of the calcium in the dog’s body so that the calcium is excreted.
4. Eat animal liver or meat for a long time: Animal liver or meat is very low in calcium and contains a high concentration of vitamin A, which will inhibit the absorption of calcium.
Calcium deficiency in dogs that regimen:
Proper calcium supplementation for dogs can be done by feeding your dog some specialized calcium powder in doses, as well as foods such as dairy products and cartilage, and reducing the intake of animal liver or meat.
If the dog has already shown symptoms of calcium deficiency, medication should be taken. It is recommended to use some less expensive calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, and then inject vitamin D3, oral vitamin D2, vitamin D3 pills. Of course, if the conditions allow, you can also use some imported brands of calcium for pets, because these products are still more professional.
Calcium supplementation for dogs is not the same as for humans. Few people know exactly how much calcium dogs need, resulting in either too little or too much. As for the specific amount of calcium supplementation should be how much, depending on the dog’s breed, size, age and calcium deficiency, it is best to go to the animal hospital to listen to the advice of professional veterinarians.
Calcium deficiency in dogs has a big impact and needs to be taken seriously!
1.2~3 months old puppies: 2~3 months old is an important period for the formation of intervertebral discs in puppies. If there is a lack of calcium at this time, some breeds susceptible to intervertebral disc disease, such as Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Pug and Poodle, will have seizures in adulthood, causing lifelong pain.
2.4~6 months old puppy: When the puppy grows up to 4~6 months old, the milk teeth in the mouth begin to fall off and the permanent teeth begin to grow. If there is a lack of calcium at this time, it will cause the milk teeth not to fall off, the permanent teeth grow slowly, the enamel layer is thin, the structure is not strong, and it is easy to have double rows of teeth or uneven permanent teeth. These dogs are prone to bad breath, gingivitis and other diseases in adulthood, which directly affects life expectancy.
3. Breeding male dogs and pregnant and lactating female dogs: because semen, embryonic dogs and milk will lead to a large loss of calcium from the body, if not replaced in a timely manner, it will use the calcium in the body’s calcium reservoir, resulting in osteoporosis. Acute postpartum calcium deficiency can be caused by low blood calcium concentration in lactating bitches after giving birth. The symptoms are twitching of the limbs, stiffness of the whole body, and the body temperature can rise to more than 40℃, even causing coma and death.
4. Elderly dogs: If calcium deficiency causes osteoporosis, increasing the incidence of bone spurs and fractures.
Calcium deficiency in dogs is very harmful and can cause a lot of pain. As an owner, all you can do is properly supplement your dog’s calcium to ensure proper calcium absorption and healthy growth! ~