Calcium for dogs is beneficial for bone growth and health. A dog that has enough calcium in his diet will have healthy bones and nails and teeth and a healthy coat. A deficit of calcium may make the pet more susceptible to bone disease, osteoporosis and heart problems.
Natural Calcium Resources
Calcium can be found in numerous natural foods. The regular canned dog food might contain calcium, however these foods are processed and many ingredients may lose their nutritional values.
Natural products such as yogurt are a great source of calcium for your dog. Add the yogurt on your dog's food: it will soften the dry food and dogs will enjoy it. If your dog is overweight, you can opt for low fat yogurts or even milk. Yogurt also contains a healthy amount of fat-which is beneficial for your dog's diet.
Cheese may be fed to dogs as an additional calcium source. A lot of dogs prefer the taste of cottage cheese. It is also easier to digest.
Your dog will enjoy treats that contain meat-which is also an essential source of proteins.
Choose fish that also has calcium nutrients: salmon, tuna, sardines or trout. It is recommended to cook the fish before giving it to your pet. Raw fish may be upsetting for your pet's stomach and may also contain disease-causing bacteria.
Other important sources of calcium may be obtained from spinach, beans, sweet potato, whole wheat or broccoli. However, your dog might not be interested in the taste of some of these foods.
Coral reefs contain a lot of calcium and there are many calcium supplements that contain fossilized coral reefs.
Bones for Dogs?
If you are tempted to feed your dog natural bones or table leftovers, don't do it. Even if bones are a rich source of calcium, they may hurt your dog-puncturing internal organs or causing indigestion.
What you could do to increase your dog's calcium intake is to grind some bones and add the powder on the food that you give your pet. Make sure the bone powder is fine to avoid bone splinters from causing complications. Cook the bones first, because cooked bones are easier to grind than raw bones.
Calcium Supplements
If your dog has a calcium deficit, consult your vet. The symptoms of calcium deficit are lethargy, lack of appetite and dizziness. If your dog has hypocalcaemia, this deficit may also point to different conditions such as intestinal disease.
The vet will assess your dog's condition and detect possible causes for the calcium deficit. He will advise you to use calcium supplements. Calcium supplements are available in pet health stores. To ensure that the calcium is well absorbed, you may also opt for magnesium supplements.
Make sure to offer your dog a balanced diet. Proteins are essential along with fats and nutrients. Calcium is an important nutrient and if your dog's diet lacks calcium, you will need to either add some calcium rich foods in his diet or a few calcium supplements. Pregnant and nursing dogs need increased amounts of calcium.