What It Does
The most abundant mineral in your pet's body. Beyond building bones and teeth, calcium controls muscle contraction (including the heart), nerve signaling, and blood clotting. During pregnancy and nursing, a mother's calcium needs can double.
What You’ll Notice
Growing puppies and kittens with adequate calcium develop strong, straight limbs and healthy teeth. But too much calcium is dangerous for large breed puppies — excess causes skeletal deformities like hypertrophic osteodystrophy. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (1:1 to 2:1) matters more than the absolute amount.
Sources & Notes
Large breed puppies (German Shepherds, Great Danes, Labradors) should never be given calcium supplements — their large-breed puppy food already has controlled levels to prevent bone development disorders.