Calcium - good or bad

[Marimat]

Calcium - good or bad need 500 responses minimum

OK

I've been researching as usual and have become interested in the effects of calcium on some particular body functions and parts.

I'll go out on a limb and say that I think most people here would supplement their dogs with calcium

I'm going to run a poll to get some numbers. This poll will allow multiple answers. It will run for 14 days.

It will be made sticky and remain at the top for 14 days

Thankyou

 

[Mom3]

I had to vote for "I do NOT supplement with Calcium." I'll be interested in seeing what others have to say about Calcium in their dogs' diets and also the results of your poll.

 

[None-removed]

Matt - not sure how to answer since I do not supplement (ie.: use commercially available calcium supplement), however I do ensure Ca uptake with RMBs, Recreational bones, ground bones, yogurt and dairy products (occasional goat's milk and cheese) and raw eggs with ground shells.

 

[myrocky]

I feed BARF too so I do not have to supplement with Ca He gets all the Ca he needs from the current diet.

Matt are you going to let us know what you find out?

 

[Sube Ru's mom]

I do suppliment with Calcium because of Subi's Hip Displaysia. But i dont see that option :( or am i just have a dumb moment?
DONT ANSWER MATT

 

[JulieM]

I would have thought that most people do not supplement with calcium. (After all, kibble is 100% complete, right?) It will be interesting to see what this poll reveals.

One option I didn't see was supplementation for pregnant/nursing bitches, which is commonly done here.

 

[boxermom5]

I voted no - I believe the food they eat has the calcium needed for their diet. I also have heard (from both vets and MD's) that too much calcium is not good, and that there is really only so much calcium that the body can absorb and use (both human and canine) - any extra would basically be useless.

Jen, Tess & Tenaia

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

I am interested in this topic also. I read somewhere that too much calcium could cause a problem, so I have not supplemented yet and will not until I get more information.

 

[Eva]

I give my kiddoes milk and cheese, as treats....does that count as supplementing their diets?

Eva

Momma of Kaiser and Roxy

 

[Marimat]

Cubby - you would be a no.

myrocky - I don't know yet what will be found out or indicated. This is background into whether formal study should be done

Sube Ru's mom - Probably not a dumb moment but maybe a victim of tradition and old habits. There are numerous findings that increased Ca+ in dogs actually causes bone disease, especially if the dog was on Ca+ as a puppy.

JulieM - Pregnant lactating bitches have not been asked about because I am looking specifically at the diseases I mentioned. I'll add it though in case others are interested in that data. Personally I NEVER supplement bitches and would only ever use Ca+ during whelping to aid in uterine contractility in tiree bitches. I would use injectable Ca+ or Ca Sandoz syrup 20 mls - once only.

boxermom5 - you said "any extra would basically be useless". Well I fear it's worse than useless. Things are pointing to it actually being harmful. The "extra" is actually stored in bones. It has long been known that excess = deficiency as far as symptomology goes. That means that the signs of excess Ca+ are the same signs you get with deficient Ca+.

Scrapper's Mom - several it seems.

Eva - - that would depend on how regular you give it and in what amounts. Remember dairy milk (and by default it's derivatives) are natural for calves but not dogs. If it was a regular thing at a certain time of day I would consider it supplementation myself. As a treat occasionally no.

Hints: - The Calcium, Phosporous, Magnesium, Vitamin D balance is essential and damn hard to do obviously unless you are getting regular levels done LOL

If one takes themselves to http://www.google.com and types in

Effects of excess calcium on cardiac function

you will get a few hundred pages which not only deal with cardiac function but the effects of excess Ca+ on other systems. Here is a notable example, it has been found that Vitamin D is essential to warding off cancer. Excess Ca+ stuffs up the Vitamin D level thus compromising a naturally occuring defence against cancer.