We often hear about the importance of calcium in humans , particularly in farm kid and quondam adults . You ’ve probably seen the ads boost child to drink their milk for secure and healthy bones . Or peradventure you know someone who take a daily atomic number 20 add-on to guard off osteoporosis . But what about our dog ? Should we be worried about their calcium intake too ?
Although truthful Ca deficiency is n’t common in dog — largely thanks to the use of commercial preferent food — there are several disorder that can cause your dog to have a low calcium level .
Low calcium can be living - minatory , so it ’s important to read the warning signal and know how to prevent and turn to low-toned calcium in dogs .
What Is Calcium?
Calcium is an crucial mineral that all animals take in parliamentary law to function . The vast legal age of the calcium in our bodies is locate in our castanets and teeth , but calcium plays a purpose in other areas of the body as well .
dog — like humans — get atomic number 20 through their diet . Dietary ingredients like bone repast and whey protein are included in many wiener food formulations as a source of calcium and other food . Many commercial-grade dog foods also include supplements such as calcium carbonate to guarantee your dog receives the recommended amount of dietary calcium day by day .
If your dog does n’t get enough atomic number 20 , over time the body may lead off to strip calcium from the osseous tissue to make up for the deficit .
Why Do Dogs Need Calcium?
Dogs require atomic number 20 for all the same processes that humans do . Calcium is an essential building engine block for bones , and the counterbalance of dietetic calcium and phosphorous is especially authoritative for young , growing animals .
Pregnant and wet dogsuse high amounts of calcium to maintain the growing fetuses and produce enough milk to sustain the litter .
atomic number 20 also plays a role in the contractions of muscle — everything from the cadaverous brawniness that allow your dog to run , to the fluid sinew in reed organ like the gut , to the cardiac muscle that pump blood throughout your dog ’s trunk .
atomic number 20 is also involve in several feedback loops and hormone signaling tract in the torso , which means that abnormal degree of Ca can quickly lead to other job , too .
With so many important office throughout your dog ’s torso , it ’s safe to say that atomic number 20 is indispensable for your dog ’s health !
Can Dogs Have a Calcium Deficiency?
It is possible for dogs to explicate a calcium deficiency . Dogs can have low atomic number 20 due to unequal dietetic intake , red of calcium in the urine or fecal matter , or an imbalance of atomic number 20 mechanism in the body .
When the atomic number 20 deficiency is soft , many dogs will not have any symptoms . A gravely humbled atomic number 20 layer can cause tremors , seizure , unnatural heartbeat , unfaltering gait , restlessness , hypersensitivity , rubbing the expression , freak out , muscle cramping , and increase drinking and urination .
Ca insufficiency , or hypocalcemia , is diagnosed with a blood test . A calcium level is often included on blood oeuvre control board . If your andiron ’s calcium level is low , your veterinarian may recommend an extra test called an ionise Ca stratum to further measure the amount of free calcium in your hotdog ’s blood , which is the portion of Ca actively usable for organic structure functions .
Many different conditions can cause low calcium levels in heel , include :
so as to treat your dog ’s calcium deficiency , your veterinarian will first need to determine what caused the low atomic number 20 level . extra diagnostics such as stock piece of work , diagnostic imaging , and urinalysis may be necessary to fully appraise the problem .
CommonSources of Calciumfor Dogs
Just like humans , hot dog get atomic number 20 through the foods they consume . Commercial dog foods that meetAAFCO standardsare complete and balanced , think that they provide appropriate levels of nutrients , vitamin , and mineral to see the pauperism of the beast that the product has been labeled for .
Dog foods often include fixings such as leafy putting surface , bone repast , and organ kernel like liver to ply decent levels of calcium . Most commercial domestic dog food also let in vitamin and mineral supplements to see to it your dog is receive an appropriate symmetricalness of essential nutrients .
A healthy andiron deplete a commercial dog food typically does not necessitate any additional source of atomic number 20 . However , job can uprise for dogs that are wipe out a homemade or sensitive sum dieting that is not complete and balanced . If your dog is not eating a commercial dog food , ensure you consult a dining table certify veterinary dietician to ensure your andiron ’s diet contain the recommend amount of calcium and other nutrients .
Calcium Supplementsfor Dogs
Most salubrious pawl that are eating a utter and balanced diet do not require a calcium supplement . Too much calcium can also make problems for your dog , soyou should never give your Canis familiaris a Ca supplement without first consulting your veterinarian . If you are interested that your hot dog may have a calcium want , it is of import to first see your vet to diagnose the underlying causal agency .
If your dog has been diagnose with low Ca , the intervention will rivet on supplementing calcium and correcting the fundamental cause . If your frank ’s calcium spirit level is severely low or life endanger , your veterinarian may urge hospitalizing your frankfurter to parcel out an endovenous calcium postscript and fluids .
Once your dog is stable , you may be given an oral calcium supplement , usually in the form of a tablet , to deal out at home . Some dogs may also be prescribed calcitriol , also experience as Vitamin D3 , which help them absorb calcium from their digestive tract .
After your dog has started atomic number 20 supplementation , your veterinarian may urge regular rechecks and monitoring of calcium levels to ensure your dog is engage the appropriate dose .
Never stop the supplementation short or change the dose without first talking to your veterinary surgeon .