Calcium for dogs is kind of a big deal. Did you know that a 75-pound dog has about a pound of calcium in their body? Most of it is in their bones, but it also helps with things like muscle movement and keeping their heart beating.

Even though calcium is so important, a lot of raw or cooked diets don’t get calcium right, which can lead to some serious health problems if it’s not balanced properly.

Luckily, figuring out how to balance calcium in your dog’s diet doesn’t have to be complicated. In the sections below, I’ll make it simple. You’ll learn how calcium works, why it needs to be paired with other key minerals, and how to make sure your dog is getting just the right amount—whether you’re using store-bought food or making meals at home.

Do Dogs Need Calcium?

Most people think of bones when they hear about calcium, and for good reason—99% of it is stored there. But calcium has a lot of other jobs too. It helps your dog’s heart pump, muscles move, and nerves send signals. It even plays a role in hormones and keeping their immune system strong. Without enough calcium, your dog’s body just can’t function properly.

Here’s a cool fact: when your dog moves, calcium ions flood into their muscle cells to help them contract. Then another compound, ATP, helps the muscles relax. This balance between contraction and relaxation is how your dog can jump, run, and play. If calcium levels get out of whack, even something as simple as walking can become a challenge.

Too much or too little calcium isn’t just bad—it can be dangerous. Low calcium levels can cause muscle twitching, seizures, or even make your dog lose control of their muscles. On the flip side, too much calcium can mess with their joints and bones, especially if they’re still growing. That’s why getting the balance right is so important—it keeps your dog healthy and full of energy.

Calcium Imbalance In Dogs: Risks To Know

Low calcium levels for dogs are bad ... but too much calcium can be just as risky.

That's why it's important to understand the risks of both.

Low Calcium Levels (Hypocalcemia)

If your dog isn’t getting enough calcium, her body has to “borrow” it from her bones to keep everything else running. Over time, this can lead to weak bones and issues like limping, stiffness, and even pain. Puppies have it even worse—since they’re growing so fast, they need a lot more calcium. If their diet isn’t up to par, they could end up with serious problems like hip dysplasia or other bone disorders.

One condition caused by low calcium is called nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (yeah, it’s a mouthful). Basically, the body pulls so much calcium from the bones that they become brittle, and your dog might start twitching or even have seizures. The good news? This can usually be fixed with the right diet.

High Calcium Levels (Hypercalcemia)

On the other hand, giving your dog too much calcium can be just as bad. Adult dogs can usually handle it, but puppies? Not so much. Their bodies have a hard time processing the extra calcium, which can mess with their bone and joint development, leading to long-term issues.

Too much calcium can also throw off the balance with other minerals, like phosphorus. When that balance is out of whack, it can cause calcium to build up where it shouldn’t—like in soft tissues or organs. If you’re adding supplements or making homemade meals, it’s super important to measure carefully so you’re not accidentally overloading your dog’s system.

Calcium And Phosphorus: A Delicate Balance

Calcium and phosphorus are like the dynamic duo of your dog’s bone health—they need each other to do their job right. Calcium strengthens bones, while phosphorus gives them structure and flexibility. But there’s a catch: the balance between these two minerals has to be just right.

The ideal ratio is between 1:1 and 2:1 (calcium to phosphorus). If there’s too much phosphorus in your dog’s diet, it can pull calcium out of their bones to even things out, which weakens their skeleton over time.

This balance is especially crucial for puppies. Growing bones depend on calcium and phosphorus working together. If the ratio is off, it can lead to developmental issues like joint problems or bone disorders.

So whether you’re feeding kibble, raw, or homemade meals, keeping this balance in check is key to supporting your dog’s long-term health.

AAFCO Guidelines

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets guidelines to help pet owners and manufacturers get the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio right:

• For adult dogs, AAFCO recommends a minimum of 1.25 grams of calcium and 1 gram of phosphorus per 1,000 calories, with a maximum calcium level of 6.25 grams.
• Puppies and pregnant dogs need even more—3 grams of calcium and 2.5 grams of phosphorus per 1,000 calories to support growth and reproduction.

These guidelines aren’t just numbers—they’re a framework for ensuring your dog’s meals provide the right balance.

If you’re making homemade diets, these benchmarks can help you avoid overloading your dog with one mineral while depriving them of the other.

Best Sources Of Calcium For Dogs

If you’re looking for the best way to add calcium to your dog’s diet, raw bones are the gold standard. They naturally have the ideal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (about 2:1), plus they provide other important nutrients like magnesium and vitamin D.

But not all dogs can handle raw bones—small breeds, senior dogs, and pets with dental issues might struggle to chew them safely.

For these dogs, bone meal is a great alternative. It’s essentially powdered bone that still contains both calcium and phosphorus in balanced amounts. Just make sure the bone meal you choose is free of heavy metals like lead or pesticides, which can sometimes sneak in if the source isn’t high quality.

If natural sources aren’t an option, there are plenty of calcium supplements to choose from—but not all are created equal. Eggshells, coral calcium, and seaweed calcium are popular for homemade diets, especially for lean meals. These options are high in calcium but lack phosphorus, so they’re best for adult dogs and not recommended for puppies or high-fat diets.

Chemical supplements like calcium carbonate or dicalcium phosphate are commonly found in commercial dog food, but they’re less ideal for raw or homemade meals. These lab-made options can meet calcium needs, but they don’t offer the nutritional complexity of natural sources, making them more of a last resort.

How To Add Calcium To Homemade Diets

When you’re feeding a homemade diet, it’s not as simple as sprinkling a teaspoon of calcium on your dog’s food. You need to calculate how much calcium they’re getting based on the calories in their meals, not just the weight of the food. This is because high-fat diets pack more calories into smaller portions, which can throw off the balance of calcium and phosphorus if you’re not careful.

For example, a diet with 20% fat will need less calcium per pound of food compared to a leaner diet with 10% fat. Adjusting for these differences ensures your dog gets the right amount of calcium without overloading their system. This is especially important for puppies and pregnant dogs, who have higher calcium needs to support growth and reproduction.

Calcium For Dogs Daily Feeding Guidelines

Here’s a quick guide for adding calcium to your dog’s meals:

• Lean diets (10% fat): Use about 1 teaspoon of eggshell powder or 2 teaspoons of bone meal per pound of food.
• Moderate-fat diets (15% fat): Reduce the amount slightly to avoid excess calcium—3/4 teaspoon of eggshell powder or 1.5 teaspoons of bone meal per pound works well.
• High-fat diets (20% fat): Be cautious with high-fat meals; they require less calcium. Stick to about 1/2 teaspoon of eggshell powder or 1 teaspoon of bone meal per pound of food.

For raw-fed dogs who eat bones, you may not need to add any calcium at all, as the bones already provide a balanced ratio. Just be sure to avoid overfeeding bones, as too much calcium can cause constipation or other issues. Always aim for balance, and consult with your vet if you’re unsure.

Do Puppies And Pregnant Dogs Need Calcium?

Puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs have significantly higher calcium demands compared to adult dogs. These extra nutrients are essential for proper bone development in puppies and to support the growth of unborn pups or milk production in nursing mothers.

However, not all calcium sources are suitable for these groups. While supplements like eggshells, coral calcium, and seaweed calcium are common for adult dogs, they lack phosphorus and other critical nutrients puppies and pregnant dogs need. Feeding these options alone can lead to imbalances that may cause skeletal issues, stunted growth, or even developmental disorders like hip dysplasia.

During these critical growth and reproductive stages, it’s important to prioritize a calcium source that delivers more than just calcium. Without the right balance of minerals, these vulnerable groups can suffer from poor bone strength, joint problems, or other health complications. Ensuring their diet meets their increased needs will help set them up for a healthy, active life.

Safe Calcium Options For Puppies And Pregnant Dogs

For puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs, raw bones are once again the gold standard for calcium. They provide not only the calcium-to-phosphorus balance that’s essential for growth but also additional nutrients like magnesium and vitamin D that contribute to overall skeletal health.

If raw bones aren’t an option due to safety concerns or dietary restrictions, high-quality bone meal is a great alternative. Bone meal offers the same benefits as raw bones while being easier to mix into meals.

When choosing bone meal, make sure it’s free of contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides. Look for air-dried or minimally processed products sourced from young, healthy animals. These options ensure your dog gets the nutrients they need without the risks associated with poorly sourced supplements.

Avoiding Heavy Metals And Contaminants

Not all calcium sources are as pure as they seem. Eggshells, coral calcium, and seaweed calcium, while popular, can sometimes contain harmful substances like PCBs, mercury, and other heavy metals due to environmental contamination.

• Eggshells, for instance, are often coated with chemical cleaners or waxes that can be toxic if consumed, especially when sourced from commercial grocery stores.
• Similarly, calcium from the ocean—like coral or seaweed calcium—may carry pollutants depending on where it’s harvested.
• Bone meal, while a better option nutritionally, can also pose risks if it’s not sourced carefully. Traces of lead, pesticides, or herbicides can sneak into poorly processed products, particularly if they come from older animals or livestock raised with high chemical exposure.

Feeding contaminated calcium sources can expose your dog to toxins that accumulate in her body over time, potentially leading to health issues.

To protect your dog, always choose calcium products that have been rigorously tested for contaminants. Look for third-party certifications or lab tests that confirm the product is free of heavy metals, PCBs, and other harmful substances. For bone meal, prioritize brands that use air-dried bones from young, pasture-raised animals to minimize exposure to pollutants.

If you’re using eggshells, opt for shells from organic, pasture-raised eggs and wash them thoroughly with water to remove any residue. Coral and seaweed calcium can still be an option for adult dogs, but only if sourced from companies that test for ocean pollutants. Taking these precautions ensures your dog gets the calcium she needs without the hidden risks of contamination.

FAQ

What can I give my dog for calcium? You can give your dog calcium-rich foods like raw bones or high-quality bone meal, which provide the perfect balance for healthy bones. For dogs on a homemade diet, calcium supplementation with sources like calcium citrate may be necessary to ensure proper calcium intake.

How do I know if my dog needs calcium? Signs of calcium deficiency include stiffness, muscle twitching, or low blood calcium levels, which can be confirmed through tests. If your dog’s diet isn’t balanced or lacks calcium, consult a vet to determine if additional calcium supplementation is needed.

Can I give human calcium to my dog? While some forms like calcium citrate can be used safely in small amounts, human supplements often lack the proper balance for healthy adult dogs and may cause issues like kidney disease. Always check with your vet before supplementing calcium for your dog.

How do you make homemade calcium for dogs? You can make homemade calcium by grinding eggshells into a fine powder or using bone meal to add to your dog’s meals. Be sure to measure the amount based on your dog’s body weight and caloric needs to maintain proper blood calcium levels without overloading their system.