Making high-calcium dog food a part of your pet’s daily diet is a great way to keep their bones healthy and strong.
Whether you’ve got a growing pup or an active dog with high nutritional requirements, they need a calcium-rich diet.
Your canine’s body uses calcium in many ways, from bone growth and blood coagulation to muscle contraction. And a calcium deficiency can put them at risk of serious health complications.
But you don’t need to worry.
Getting your dog enough calcium is surprisingly easy. And in this article, we’ve covered the top 5 calcium sources for dogs that you can find in your kitchen!
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Chicken and Fish
Fish is one of the best sources of calcium for dogs, with chicken following closely behind. Both are tasty meal options to include in the weekly diet or use as meal surprises on Sundays for dogs.
Chicken adds both protein and calcium to their meals. Fish packs a stronger nutritional punch with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. Remember to remove the bones, though!
If you use fish, we suggest choosing calcium-dense options like salmon, tuna, trout, and sardines. These easily contain 170 mg to 370 mg of calcium. Go easy on the tuna, though, as it can contain high levels of mercury.
The prep work is easier with chicken, since you can feed it raw and cooked. But fish needs proper cooking, or it can cause stomach issues.
Here’s one way to feed your dog some fish, according to dog owner Kathy Barber, “My miniature schnauzers really enjoyed it when I cooked up rice and salmon for them.”
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Bones
Bones are a no-brainer when it comes to dog food high in calcium. They are readily available in stores, and dogs love them too.
Chewing on bones also ensures your dog’s teeth are healthy and clean.
The only issue is that bones can splinter and cause internal bleeding or become a choking hazard. The key is to prepare them properly Celebrity age.
We suggest using the safest method, grinding bones to a fine powder and then adding the powder to your dog’s meals. A few tablespoons of bone meal is all they’ll need.
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Vegetables
Vegetables like spinach and broccoli are rich sources of calcium. But getting your dog to eat them is a challenge. We still suggest you take on that challenge because these can easily give your dog 180 mg to 240 mg of calcium per cup.
You can try serving bite-sized pieces of vegetables to your dog by adding them to their meals or snacks.
Other calcium-rich vegetable sources include sweet potatoes, corn, kale, acorn squash, arugula, collard greens, and turnips.
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Eggs
Eggs are a type of high-calcium dog food that’s both easy to prepare and takes very little time. A 50 g serving of eggs contains around 27 mg of calcium.
We suggest you use the organic kind, as their shells prevent most chemicals from getting to the egg.
The best way to feed eggs is to hard-boil them with their shells on and crunch them in a blender. You can then add the mix to your dog’s food.
You can also use eggshells, which are another calcium-rich food source. Just get them to dry and grind them as you did with the bones. Then, add the powder to your dog’s meals.
The only precaution is not feeding eggs raw, as they can cause salmonella poisoning. Also, eggs contain a lot of cholesterol, so make them a once-in-a-while treat.
Here is an interesting recipe by Niall Harbison,
“I feed 80 of my own dogs on the streets then give the rest to locals and other volunteers who feed around the island.
Carrots 🥕
Rice 🍚
Chicken mince 🐔
Cabbage 🥬
Coconut oil 🥥
Eggs 🍳
Chicken stock 🍗”
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Yogurt and Cheese
Although yogurt and cheese are calcium-rich dog food sources, they are not for every dog—especially if yours is lactose intolerant.
So make sure to check with your vet before you feed your dog yogurt or cheese.
If the vet says it’s safe, you can try mixing cheese and yogurt into your dog’s meals.
You can use mozzarella, cottage cheese, goat cheese, and plain low-fat cheese. With yogurt, the plain, non-fat, or low-fat kind is best.
You can mix both of these with dry dog food or incorporate it into meals in various ways. We suggest breaking cheese down into bite-sized pieces and serving yogurt as it is on the side.
Every cup of yogurt contains 450 mg of calcium, and most hard cheeses contain at least 65 mg of calcium per half cup. So adjust your portions accordingly.
Just ensure you avoid flavored yogurt or cheeses with herbs and other additives, as these can be toxic for dogs.
FAQs
How Much Calcium Do Dogs Need?
Adult dogs need about 50 mg of calcium per kilogram of body weight. Puppies need double this amount of calcium.
Pregnant dogs will need even more. But their intake level is best calculated on a case-by-case basis with the help of a vet.
What Are Signs Of Calcium Toxicity In Dogs?
Feeding your dog more calcium than it needs can result in calcium toxicity. Its symptoms include:
- Increased urination
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Excessive drinking
Make sure to see the vet immediately if you spot any of these signs in your dog.
Can You Give Calcium Supplements To Your Dog?
While you can give calcium supplements to your dog, it isn’t recommended that you should. Supplements are a good option for resolving calcium deficiencies, but only if they’re the last resort. Unless your vet advises you to use calcium supplements, we suggest you stick to home remedies for low calcium in dogs.
Conclusion
Even adding a small amount of high-calcium dog food to your dog’s diet can ensure they don’t suffer a deficiency or its effects. These five food sources have enough calcium to satisfy the daily requirement, even when used sparingly.
We hope this guide inspires you to create more tasty meals for your dog that are also nutritious and safe!
