Calcium is one of the most important micronutrients for dogs. It affects normal cardiovascular activity, blood coagulability, muscle development. But the most important role is played by calcium in the proper formation of the dog's skeleton.
Can I give calcium to dogs?
Assimilation of calcium by the canine organism is a rather complicated process that requires the observance of precise norms of calcium production per day. In addition, calcium will not be absorbed without simultaneous intake of the necessary amount of phosphorus in the body, as well as vitamin D in the correct concentration.
Ideally, if you feed your dog with high-quality feed (at least premium class), then the dog gets all the balanced amount of calcium, phosphorus and vitamins while feeding and does not need additional calcium preparations. If your dog food is unbalanced, or if you feed your dog with homemade food, without following the amount of vitamins and trace elements consumed, the dog may have a calcium deficiency. In puppies, it is expressed in slow growth, the formation of thickening on the joints and the development of rickets . An adult dog may begin to limp, limbs may become bent, fractures and painful sensations become more frequent when you touch the joints of a dog.
Preparations of calcium for dogs
If you suspect that your dog lacks calcium in the diet or if it is not balanced with other trace elements involved in digestion, you should immediately contact the veterinarian for advice on using calcium supplements. Calcium is also necessary for a pregnant dog . As the main drugs designed to fill the deficiency of this trace element, calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are used for dogs that are given with food. But it should be noted again that the introduction of any medication should be done after consulting a doctor, otherwise you can create an excess of calcium in the body of the dog, which is no less dangerous than its lack.