Balancing Calcium & Phosphorus For Dogs, Repost By Dr. Jean Dodds

The following is a repost of Hemopet’s discussion on Calcium and Phosphorus ratios. The article is for the advanced student who is well informed with Natural Rearing. I would not recommend a novice simply winging it when feeding their dog a “homemade diet.” Another source that is quite good is Dr. Pitcairn’s, “Complete Guide for Natural Health for Dogs & Cats.” The link to the book is on my Diet & Nutrition page.

Balancing Calcium and Phosphorus for Dogs

February 19, 2021 / Nutrition / By Hemopet

Dr. Dodds and Hemopet advocate for the advantages of properly-balanced and prepared homemade meals for companion pets. Indeed, these include the fact that companion pet parents can control and choose ingredients, customize for age and health, and modify according to any food sensitivities and intolerances.

Yet, we understand why some veterinary professionals are concerned about homemade diets for their pet companion. And, yes, we agree with their concerns. That is why we encourage companion pet parents to work with reputable and experienced veterinary/animal nutritionists.

With that being said…what is their concern? For many, it can be the very complex mineral assessment that veterinary nutritionists need to consider for our pets, namely: The Calcium:Phosphorus Ratio.

The essential minerals of calcium and phosphorus need to be delicately and accurately balanced relative to each other. Both calcium and phosphorus are provided through foods, but an excess or a deficiency of one or the other can lead to deleterious effects on the body and health.

Vitamins D2 and its active form, D3, compound this issue of mineral balance. Their role is to enable proper absorption and uptake of calcium and phosphorus, as well as assist with other calcium and phosphorus functions in the body.

Compounding the issue even further is how the two vitamin Ds are given. Vitamin D3 (calcitriol) is not nutritionally accessible and must be added as a supplement. It is available only through sunlight, which is often insufficient these days with depletion of the ozone layer and pollution, and by supplementation. Vitamin D2 (calcidiol) needs can be achieved through dietary means.

Further, the function of vitamin D is complicated by the nature of its absorptive aid properties. Vitamin D aids the intestinal absorption of calcium, and helps ionized phosphorus (i.e. phosphate) be reabsorbed back into the bloodstream from the small intestine and kidneys.

The parathyroid gland and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) also play important roles.

Indeed, the interactions of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D can result in a variety of metabolic, biochemical and physiological outcomes.

Yes; it surely is confusing and complicated.

The optimal dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio in dogs should be 1.2:1 to 1.3:1. The ratio appears small, but it is significant. So, we thought we would give you two easily digestible conditions (pun intended) that illustrate the effects an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus can cause.

Calcium Excess

An easy example of excessive calcium intake is rickets-like signs in puppies or young dogs. Puppies will experience:

• Bone deformation or bowed limbs

• Bone pain and swelling

• Fractures

• Stiff gait or limp

Typically, we see rickets-like conditions with dogs fed only all-meat diets.

The remedy? Rickets-like symptoms in dogs can be reversible if caught early enough. Basically, a companion pet parent needs to balance the calcium to the phosphorus intake and add a vitamin D supplement.

Excess Phosphorus

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism is an excess of phosphorus compared to calcium in the diet. When phosphate levels are maintained at untenable levels in the blood or are unmatched by sufficient calcium intake, calcium in the blood drops causing hypocalcemia. Low serum calcium, in turn, signals the parathyroid to call upon the calcium in bones to replenish what is missing in the blood. The demineralization of bones cause weakness, possible fractures and neurological dysfunction.

Again, the cause can be attributable to dogs fed only all-meat diets.

The Takeaway

Bear in mind that the two examples provided here are simple. There could be more complex and underlying conditions causing excessive or insufficient levels of calcium or phosphorus. These examples demonstrate the importance of dietary balances (particularly of minerals like calcium and phosphorus), and how easily dietary imbalances can result in health conditions.

References

Barber, Penney. “Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism.” Vetlexicon, Vetstream, www.vetstream.com/treat/canis/diseases/nutritional-secondary-hyperparathyroidism.

Brooks, Wendy. “Calcium Phosphorus Balance in Dogs and Cats .” Veterinary Partner, VIN, 5 June 2019, https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952674.

Grünberg, Walter. Disorders Associated with Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, Mar. 2018, https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/bone,-joint,-and-muscle-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-associated-with-calcium,-phosphorus,-and-vitamin-d-in-dogs.

Moe, Sharon M. “Disorders involving calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.” Primary Care vol. 35,2 (2008): 215-37, v-vi. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2008.01.007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2486454/.

Schaefer, Carmenn, and Richard E Goldstein. “Canine primary hyperparathyroidism.” Compendium (Yardley, PA) vol. 31,8 (2009): 382-89, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19866445/.

Shaker JL, Deftos L. Calcium and Phosphate Homeostasis. [Updated 2018 Jan 19]. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279023/.

Stillion, Jenefer R, and Michelle G Ritt. “Renal secondary hyperparathyroidism in dogs.” Compendium (Yardley, PA) vol. 31,6 (2009): E8, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19746344/.

Facts About Caloric Density and Carbohydrates vs Protein Levels in Giant Breed Puppy Food

Recently, I received a call from a new Wolfhound puppy owner who was seeking advice. During the conversation, the gentleman expressed his concern about protein levels in dog food. He informed me that he purchased a premium bag of dog food with a low protein level of 22%, as he was told that high levels of protein are not recommended for giant breed puppies as it can cause damage to their growing bones.

The topic of protein levels in giant breed puppy food is one that I have meant to discuss. First off, it is a myth that high protein levels cause damage to the long bones of a growing, giant breed puppy. Most people who feed commercially prepared dry dog food are misguided by this urban tale.

Instead, what should be one of the most pressing and harmful issues occupying people's minds about commercially prepared dog food designed for giant breed puppies is not protein BUT caloric density and the sources from which these calories are derived. As well as the high-density percentages of carbohydrates. In contrast, those who are entirely unperturbed about protein levels are those people who "Naturally Rear," as I do, where the protein sources are fresh, raw meat or poultry, fish, along with oats, yogurt, vegetables and so on.

Due to space limitations, I can only provide a review on this mainstream misconception as it could fill pages and pages. So, here goes.

Rapid growth stresses developing bones and joints. What can cause rapid growth is feeding a calorically dense and high carbohydrate diet which will make a pup grow too quickly; faster than their developing long bones and articulating joints can accommodate and will result in skeletal abnormalities.

Typically, as a pup evolves the bones and muscles should mature together in harmony, but bones that grow much too fast will be less dense and weaker than ones growing at a more appropriate rate. Weaker bones, in turn, creates issues for giant breeds who carry more weight in which such pup(s) will experience the causal factors of artificial nutrition.

What about protein? Protein is a source of energy. A point of fact is that growing puppies require more protein than an adult dog which contradicts the urban tale. Proteins are essential for building blocks of all tissues and organs, to include tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscle contraction. Yes, too much protein can be detrimental to healthy growth due to an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus which affects the long bones and joints. However, this is not always the culprit in commercially prepared puppy food. Why? Read on as down below I reveal some compelling relatively unknown information about the actual amounts of protein in such foods and their sources. What are the primary culprits in puppy as well adult dog food?

Most commercial dry dog foods contain at least 50% carbohydrates and sometimes more than 15% crude fiber. Let me quickly address crude fiber as this amount is at least three times the recommended amount according to the Mark Morris Institute who publishes the Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition on commercial pet foods. This book further reports that in excess, crude fiber reduces the energy and nutrients in the food whereas the dog has difficulty eating enough food to satisfy his nutritional needs. In other words, dogs consuming much of today's inferior, low digestibility commercial foods will devour large quantities of food, but the high amount of fiber within the diet can decrease mineral absorption. Thus, it does not matter how much the dog eats; he cannot absorb the necessary minerals because there is too much fiber.

Carbohydrates. Many commercial brand dog foods have high caloric density derived not just from fat but carbs. The principal function of carbohydrates is to provide structural integrity as they work as a binder holding the ground meal in shape. I already stated that most all dog foods are at least 50% carbohydrates, and it would be unusual for a dry pet food to be formulated with fewer than 40% carbohydrates because of the minimum requirement for extrusion or shaping through a die, as told by the Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition.

Incidentally, canines do not have the same enzymes as humans so they can only process carbohydrates very, very slowly. Importantly, the abundance of carbohydrates (sugars and starches) contained in commercial dog foods is a significant factor in canine dental disease and tartar build-up. Moreover, dental disease and heart disease can go hand in hand.

Here are some examples of carbohydrate concentrations commonly found in commercial dog food:
Rice Flour 90%
Rice 90%
Corn Flour 85%
Corn Starch 88%
Corn 81%
Grain Sorghum 80%
Wheat Flour 82%
Wheat 78%

Calories and fat. Both of these can present a bit of a dilemma for some companies. Typically, to dilute the number of calories in commercially prepared dog food, the manufacturer adds increased fiber, insoluble fiber such as cellulose and peanut hulls, to the processing. However, because crude fiber behaves as an anticaking agent, it simultaneously causes high friction during the extrusion or shaping process. So, the manufacturer has to add fat back into the ingredients so the mixture, commonly known as slurry, can be processed more efficiently. While adding fat back in sometimes can neutralize or minimize the fiber's primary purpose of reducing calories. According to Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 5th Edition; "Fats contribute calories at 2.25 times the rate of carbohydrates or proteins, and the use of fat ingredients is the most efficient method of increasing the energy density of food to limit a pet’s consumption of other nutrients."

Back to the question of protein. There is an even lesser known truth about the actual amount of meat as listed on the dog food's label.

Again citing the Small Animal Nutrition 5th Edition, the United States has labeling regulations that stipulate ingredients must be listed in order of weight predominance. Of course, wet meat weighs more than dry meat, so, manufacturers use the wet weight of the meat or poultry that elevates or places the protein within the label's top three ingredients. They do so by incorporating fresh or frozen meat/poultry into the dry extruded dog food using a slurry composed of animal tissues, fat, and water, which is grounded and mixed in a separate tank. The water in the meat (60 to 70%), however, must first be dried off to make a dry product. Consequently, the actual amount of meat or poultry ingredients would be listed much farther down on the label if it were added as a dry meat meal.

Be aware that manufacturer claims that the "meat based" dog food has a high-meat content is not always accurate. Also, dog food ingredient labels list other sources that protein may also be derived from such as dried egg, rice gluten, corn gluten, and soybean meal.

The long and short of it is that densely packed carbohydrates in complete dog food along with high fats increase the caloric density, and this should be the worrisome factor that can cause health problems in growing giant breed puppies. All of this is not to say that an owner who feeds only meat and bone without other essential ingredients that provide nitrogen, minerals, calcium, phosphorus, and so on is doing the right thing. I utilize oats in my hound's diets along with all the other key components of "Natural Rearing" for a balance of nutrition. Nonetheless, I can assure you that my giant breed pups consume much higher amounts of protein than any bag of manufactured puppy food, but they do so in the fresh, raw variety. Never a slurry of animal tissues, fat, and water.

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New Canine Nutritional Book To Read!

We all are familiar with Dr. W. Jean Dodds, DVM and her outstanding work in the fields of Canine Vaccines, Thyroid and Rabies diseases. In fact, she is considered one of the world's authorities on these subjects but did you know that her specialties also include Nutrition? Dr. Dodds developed NutriScan, a food sensitivity and intolerance test that has been offered for many years now and is a product that I have highly recommended to several people who have sought my nutritional advice on dogs with diarrhea and Intestinal Bowel Disorders. This valuable tool tests for intolerance's or sensitivities to:

Dodd's Listed Foods NutriScan test for Sensitivities or Intolerances

Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health Buy on Amazon

In addition to the books that I already recommend on my website, I had purchased Dr. Jean Dodds co-authored book with Diana Laverdure titled, "Canine Nutrigenomics, The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health." I am making my way through this book and would recommend this as another reference tool that "Natural Rearing" enthusiasts should have on their shelf.

According to Dodds, "Nutrigenomics" is the scientific field of study being the combination of the words nutrition and genomics and refers to how diets affect epigenome and consequently gene expression, which in turn alters genetic predisposition toward health and disease. Epigenome is primarily a record of DNA and protein chemical changes passed down to offspring, but it is a fascinating field of study as Dodds and Laverdure explain that

 "Just as we inherited our genes from our parents, our epigenome also has a cellular memory that can be passed from one generation to the next (University of Utah 2014.) This means that a Mother and Father's lifestyle decisions --including the quality of their diet--will influence the epigenome of their offspring. Unlike the genome, however, we can alter our epigenome over time with new environmental signals, such as optimum nutrition."

Though I am not a research scientist, I think it safe and reasonable to venture that this reasoning could apply to the issue of over-vaccinating our companion animals, prevalent throughout the United States. Notably, the cellular memory or damage thereof within the offspring of over-vaccinated parents and the immediate ancestors in the pedigrees, especially in linebred or other close ancestral breedings. For some years now, I have been working on an individual theory regarding the results of over-vaccination and its relationship to cancer and have always wondered about the possibility of cellular memory. My data gathered is only a small amount, but once I begin to acquire stats from other breeders, it may prove very interesting indeed. In any event, I find the subject of cellular memory exciting and believe it most likely will offer significant revelations in the future.

Another interesting point that Dodds and Laverdure make and one that I have quoted in my earlier Neospora articles is that diagnostic laboratory assays, such as Antech Laboratories, have developed their normal ranges for blood chemistries and complete blood counts based on dogs fed cereal grain foods, especially heavily laden with carbohydrates. But the average ranges for many of these tests do not apply to healthy dogs fed raw diets, and any interpretation of laboratory results for these dogs should take these nutritional differences into account. For example, dogs fed fresh foodstuffs and meat exhibit naturally higher levels, e.g., BUN levels.

Many pet owners who feed raw are unaware of this information, and further, commonly conventional veterinary scientists do not consider this as established science. At the same time, these are the same veterinarians who do not believe there are fluctuations in various breeds' blood chemistries -- their mentality is that a dog is a dog and medical care is the same for all. Read this book to open your mind to nutritional effects on the body!

The 6 Pillars of Choosing Commercial Pet Foods

Some of the most popular material on my Ballyhara Irish Wolfhounds website is the page Irish Wolfhound Diet & Nutrition, which, of course, is not just applicable for wolfhounds but any dog whatsoever. Since some of my Readers do feed dry dog food, I thought it may be helpful to share information from Dr. Jean Dodds Tumblr Blog on commercial pet food published last week "The Six Pillars of Choosing Commercial Dog Food"  with an excerpt from her post.

The Six Pillars of Choosing Pet Food

1. Ingredients
a. What are they?
b. Will your pet have a sensitivity reaction to any of them?

2. Sourcing
a. Where do the ingredients come from?
b. Are the grains, potatoes and vegetable ingredients GMO-free and organic
c. Are the proteins grass-fed or free-range?
d. Where do the added vitamins and minerals originate?

See my two articles “Food Sourcing: Six tips when choosing your pet’s diet” and “GMO Foods and Mycotoxins in Pet Foods” for more information.

3. Processing – Do you want kibble, raw or dehydrated?
See my article “The Six Processed Forms of Dog and Cat Food”.

4. Manufacturing
a. Has the manufacturer had any recent recalls?
b. What do you know about their facilities and food handling practices?
c. Is the food made in the company’s own plant or in a plant making products for many or several food companies?

See my article “A Hush-Hush Topic: Mislabeled, undeclared, unidentified, or missing ingredients from pet foods”.

5. Additives
a. Are the preservatives natural or synthetic (artificial)?
b. Does it contain artificial colors?

See my blog post “The Cat That Ate the Kibble”.

6. Balanced
a. Is the food balanced for your pet?
b. If not, will you need to supplement or worry about vitamin and mineral toxicity?

See my article “Vitamin and Minerals – Supplementation and Overdoing It”.

Moreover, I think those people who do feed commercial dog food can find additional practical advice in another of Dr. Dodds post's Food Sourcing: Six Tips When Choosing Your Pet’s Diet

Here is a another brief but important excerpt from Dr. Dodds post:

Six Quick Tips

• Made in the XXX…Made in a certain country does not mean the ingredients were sourced from the same country or even surrounding countries. Animal proteins are especially of concern. If a company cannot unequivocally tell you from where the meat is sourced, stay away. Make sure the farming practices from the source country have a good and reliable record. 

• US Labeling
  - Cage Free: The phrases “cage free” and “free range” do not pertain to what the animal was fed, but how humanely it was raised. While cage free is definitely an improvement over Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), the term is not regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). So, you will have to have faith that the producers are ethical in their claims. 
  - Free Range: In order to obtain labels bearing the claim “free range,” producers must provide a brief description of the housing conditions with the label, when it is submitted to USDA’s Labeling Program and Delivery Division (LPDD) for approval. The written description of the housing conditions is reviewed to ensure there is continuous, free access to the out-of-doors for over 51% of the animals’ lives, i.e., through their normal growing cycle. 
  - Grass-Fed: To use this on a label, the USDA requires farmers to ensure their animals have access to the outdoors during the grass growing season, which could be only six months out of the year in some states. The diet should be derived solely from forage consisting of grass (annual and perennial), forbs (e.g., legumes, Brassica), or cereal grain crops in the vegetative (pre-grain) state. This is definitely preferred and we hope the USDA will make the guidelines more stringent. 

• Has this company had any recent food recalls? If so, what was the reason: ingredient sourcing or equipment? Has it been adequately addressed, as far as you can discern?

• Is the food declared to be free of wheat, corn and soy?

• Does the food contain rosemary or oregano (most pet foods do), which should not be fed if your dog is an epileptic.

• Remember that commercial dry foods can contain other ingredients than those declared on the label. So, if your dog appears not to tolerate the food you select, this could be one of the reasons.

I hope that this info helps even the most veteran breeder or dog enthusiasts in their efforts to supply the very best nutrition available for their dogs.