- Calcium for Dogs -
Beef Bones or Supplements?

Here are eleven important reasons for dog calcium along with some good and bad sources.

Benefits of Calcium

While its main use is in building and maintaining bones (when accompanied by phosphorus, magnesium and vitamins A, C and D) here's what else it does:

• Required for proper contraction of heart muscles and regulating the heartbeat
• assists muscle development and prevents muscle cramps
• plays a role in the absorption of fats and proteins
• protects against blood clotting
• protects against colon cancer
• helps in the transmission of nerve impulses
• contributes to enzyme function
• inhibits the absorption of lead into bones and teeth
• regulates the passage of nutrients through the cell wall
• used in balancing the pH level in the body

Why Do Dogs Have Such a High Calcium Requirement?

Since dogs are mainly meat eaters and have a highly acidic diet, they need more calcium to maintain the right pH balance in the blood. (Junk food, as in dog kibble is also highly acidic so creates the same need.)

Think of a dog in the wild. If he caught a small animal, he would eat all of it. That means meat, organs, and bones. That would be the perfect ratio and what you should consider when trying to feed as close to nature as possible.

Calcium Sources

While there are many natural sources of calcium like all green leafy vegetables, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, collards, brewers’ yeast, seaweed and eggshells to name a few, bones would be the most natural choice for dogs.

If you feed your dog a raw diet, including the bones is all you really need to do. I like giving my dogs chicken backs because the bones are easy to chew plus there is a little bit of organ meat still attached to the inside of the chicken backs which is important too.

I do not give chicken backs on a daily basis because I think that is too much bone and variety of meats is important to get different nutrients. How can I tell if they've had too much bone?

When they poop, it will look nearly gray or whitish in color so I know the next meal needs more meat.

Are Beef Bones for Dogs a Good Source?

Yes and no. While beef bones are a good source of calcium, bad environmental stewardship in the United States has led (pun) to toxic levels of lead in beef bones. Since the body can't rid itself of lead, it is stored in the bones. Bones from U.S. cattle should not be ingested by dogs.

Calcium Supplements for Dogs

Bone meal* is the most natural choice of calcium for dogs. When you purchase bone meal for dogs, it should come from livestock NOT raised in the United States.

How Important is the Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio?

This is important. For the proper absorption of calcium, phosphorus is needed. Optimum ratio is 1.2 to 1.4 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Relax though because most dogs do very well with 1 to 2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus. Bone meal calcium is right in that bracket.

Summarizing Calcium for Dogs

If you feed a raw diet to your dog you MUST feed either bones, or a calcium supplement for your dog's health. I think bone meal is an excellent choice because you get a form of calcium that's natural instead of synthetic and it's easy to sprinkle on his food.

And last but not least, if you are feeding dog kibble or canned dog food - unless it is one of superior quality, it is more than calcium that your dog is lacking. For an idea, you may find Dog Food Manufacturers enlightening.

*Warning - I hope I really don't have to say this but bone meal for your garden is not the same thing and is toxic to dogs.

Other Health Supplements for Dogs

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