Calcium in pet foods: How to manage excess in modern formulas

The nature of higher-protein diets with a large quantity of rendered protein meals can be difficult to manage at the upper limits of calcium concentration and require several ingredient and formulation strategies to effectively control.

Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.

September 1, 2021

Higher protein levels in pet food formulations are creating challenges when it comes to managing calcium levels. | thodonal88 | Shutterstock.com

Higher protein levels in pet food formulations are creating challenges when it comes to managing calcium levels. | thodonal88 | Shutterstock.com

Managing excess calcium in the diet has become a big challenge, especially in dry extruded pet foods with elevated protein levels. This is almost exclusively an issue with the protein meals derived from rendering and their associated bone ash. This has become even more problematic with the changing raw material supply chain, increasing pet food demand and the drive for more protein as a product positioning.

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Ingredient Issues

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Pet Food Insights

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Phytate, phosphorus, phytase for dogs, cats on plant-based pet foods

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Phosphorus in pet diets: How do we manage it?

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Bone broth: Add flavor, water, electrolytes to pet diets

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Processing Functional Ingredients

Remove the chemicals from my pet’s food

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Ingredients and substances to avoid

Clean label pet food: How does mercury get into dog and cat foods?

Concern for mercury in pet food affects only certain cat and dog food products.

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Clean label pet food: Are reports of heavy metals reliable?

Non-nutritional mineral levels in pet foods are not likely an issue.

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Clay minerals: Do these ingredients have merit in petfood?

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