How to Give a Dog More Calcium

Dogs need calcium, just like people need calcium. Growing puppies or dogs that are pregnant or nursing need to have increased amounts of calcium. If you are making homemade dog food, it's important to add food with adequate calcium amounts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Grind chicken bones to add to homemade dog food to increase the calcium in the food. Bones are a great source of calcium but need to be ground up first. Grind bones in your food processor to get them very fine. It's much easier to grind bones that have been cooked than raw bones. Make sure the bones are thoroughly ground so no splinters can get caught in your dog's throat.

2. Buy specialized calcium supplements to add to homemade dog food. Many pet related websites have calcium supplements for sale that are specially formulated for dogs. Pet health websites, many from veterinarians, will also help you decide if your dog needs extra calcium and the type of calcium he needs.

3. Add well-known sources of calcium to homemade dog food. Yogurt is a great source of calcium and dogs can eat the type with fat in it, because dogs need fat too. If your dog is overweight, buy a reduced fat yogurt. Cheese is also a great source of calcium for dog food. Cheese can be added to homemade dog food or given as treats. Cottage cheese is another source of calcium and most dogs love the taste of cottage cheese.

Tips & Warnings

• Always consult your veterinarian before changing or adding any supplement to your dog's diet.