Before supplementing calcium for dogs, you must first determine whether the dog is calcium deficient and the cause of the calcium deficiency, so that calcium supplements for dogs can be provided in a timely and targeted manner.
How to tell if your dog is calcium deficient?
Calcium deficiency in dogs manifests as loss of appetite, easy indigestion, body weight loss, and slow growth. Generally, dogs with calcium deficiency are smaller in size and stature than dogs without calcium deficiency of the same age, and their bones are not as strong as those of healthy dogs.
Dogs lacking calcium are also prone to abnormally shaped legs and feet, such as X- and O-shaped legs, just like people. Dogs with severe calcium deficiency will bend when walking and may even become paralyzed.
What are the causes of calcium deficiency in dogs?
1. Insufficient calcium content in food: Calcium deficiency is caused by insufficient calcium content in the food fed to dogs.
2. Poor absorption function: The calcium content in food is sufficient, but dogs with poor absorption function, such as enteritis, poor appetite, etc., may cause calcium deficiency in dogs.
3. Poor calcium conversion: Enough calcium in the food is absorbed by the dog, but due to poor calcium conversion in the dog's body, the calcium is excreted and the dog is deficient in calcium.
4. Eating animal liver or meat for a long time: Animal liver or meat contains very low calcium and contains high concentrations of vitamin A, which will inhibit the absorption of calcium.
How to treat dogs with calcium deficiency:
To correctly supplement calcium for dogs, you can feed them some special calcium powder according to the dose, you can also feed them some dairy products, cartilage and other foods, and reduce 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 choose some calcium carbonate and calcium lactate that are not too expensive, and at the same time inject vitamin D3, take oral vitamin D2, and vitamin D3 pills. Of course, if conditions permit, you can also choose some imported brands of pet calcium, because these products are more professional in comparison.
Calcium supplementation for dogs is different from that for humans. Few people know how much calcium dogs need, and the result is either too little or too much. As for the specific amount of calcium supplement, it depends on the breed, size, age and calcium deficiency of the dog. It is best to go to the animal hospital to listen to the advice of a professional veterinarian.
Calcium deficiency in dogs has a great impact and requires attention!
1.2 to 3 months old puppies: 2 to 3 months of age is an important period for the formation of intervertebral discs in puppies. If calcium is lacking at this time, some breeds that are susceptible to intervertebral disc disease, such as Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Pug, and Pekingese In women and dogs, etc., attacks will occur in adulthood, causing lifelong pain.
Puppies aged 2.4 to 6 months:When puppies reach the age of 4 to 6 months, the deciduous teeth in the mouth begin to fall out and the permanent teeth begin to grow. If there is a lack of calcium at this time, the deciduous teeth will not fall out, the permanent teeth will grow slowly, the enamel layer is thin, and the structure is not strong, and it is easy to have double rows of teeth or uneven permanent teeth. These dogs are prone to diseases such as bad breath and gingivitis in adulthood, which directly affects their life span.
3. Breeding male dogs and pregnant and lactating female dogs: Because semen, embryonic dogs and milk will cause a large amount of calcium to be lost from the body, if it cannot be replenished in time, the calcium in the body's calcium store will be used, causing Osteoporosis. Postpartum lactating bitches may suffer from acute postpartum calcium deficiency due to low blood calcium concentration. The symptoms include twitching of the limbs, stiffness of the whole body, body temperature that can rise above 40°C, and even cause coma and death.
4. Elderly dogs: Calcium deficiency will cause osteoporosis and increase the incidence of bone spurs and fractures.
Calcium deficiency in dogs is very harmful and will cause them great pain. As an owner, all you can do is to provide your dog with calcium correctly to ensure the dog’s normal calcium absorption and healthy growth!~
