| When we think of calcium in a pet's diet, we usually think of it
in relation to strong bones and teeth. This relationship holds true. However,
a deeper understanding of the role of calcium helps us avoid potential risks in
our pets' diets. A pet may be entering the danger zone when too much or
too little calcium is included in its diet. The consequences are seen in bone
abnormalities. Too little calcium along with low levels of vitamin D may result
in rickets, soft bones that bend out of shape under the weight of a pet.
Supplementing diets of large breed puppies with excessive amounts of calcium can
cause the development of bones that are large but low in bone density and strength.
Fortunately, bone abnormalities are highly unlikely when a pet is fed a nutritionally
complete and balanced pet food and there is no excessive calcium supplementation.
As important as dietary calcium is, it does not work alone. Many mineral nutrients
are interdependent and cannot function as a single element. Calcium is interrelated
with phosphorus. A proper ratio of the two minerals is needed to ensure their
utilization by a pet. Animal nutrition studies show that calcium and phosphorus
should be included in a pet's diet at a ratio of 1.0 to 2.0 parts calcium to each
1.0 part phosphorus. Widening ratios beyond this point may be detrimental to bone
calcification. If the amount of phosphorus far exceeds the amount of dietary calcium,
bone abnormalities may occur. An example of calcium/phosphorus imbalance
is found in an all-meat diet. Meats are deficient in calcium and the ratio of
calcium to phosphorus is very poorly balanced. Some lean meats have only one part
calcium to 18 parts phosphorus. The absorption of calcium and phosphorus
into the bones and teeth also requires a sufficient amount of vitamin D in a pet's
diet. Excessive amounts of vitamin D may be toxic to a pet. Again, high quality
pet foods to the rescue. They offer proper levels of vitamin D in relation to
the levels and ratio of calcium and phosphorus in a diet. Although it is
true that a female's need for calcium increases during pregnancy and lactation,
supplementing with calcium is not necessary. A female's calcium requirements are
met during this time by consuming increased amounts of a complete and balanced
pet food. Nor will supplementing with calcium prevent eclampsia (sometimes
called "milk fever"), which may occur after the young are born and nursing. Eclampsia
is not a nutritional disease, but a metabolic condition. When a female is nursing,
there is an increased demand for calcium. The bones provide an abundant resource,
but the withdrawal of calcium from the bones depends on several hormones. Eclampsia
occurs when these hormones are not helping to release enough calcium for the extra
demands of milk production. During eclampsia, the amount of available calcium
is reduced, causing muscle weakness and trembling, which are signs of the condition.
The treatment for eclampsia includes delivering calcium directly into the
bloodstream. The rapid and favorable response to this treatment has resulted in
the misconception that giving a pregnant female high levels of calcium will prevent
this condition. A final thought Supplementing a high-quality
nutritionally complete and balanced pet food with calcium or other nutrients is
risky business. Reputable pet food manufacturers have done the research and developed
pet foods to help us choose diets that are appropriate for a pet's life stage
and level of activity. -------------------------------------------------
// ------------------------------------------------ Reprinted with permission
by Ralston Purina Canada | 
