Bichon Frise (Detailed Introduction)

        Phosphorus and calcium are both necessary substances that make up dogs' bones and teeth. In addition, phosphorus helps maintain dogs' regular heartbeats and ensures the normal operation of their kidney functions. It can be said that phosphorus is involved in almost all biochemical reactions in a dog's body. Every owner knows that if a dog lacks calcium, it may develop rickets or osteoporosis, but what symptoms do dogs show when they lack phosphorus?

        Dogs lacking phosphorus may experience loss of appetite and abnormal estrus cycles. Generally, phosphorus deficiency in dogs is rare. The main causes of phosphorus deficiency are: 1. Insufficient phosphorus content in food. Owners who cook for their dogs may overlook the nutritional balance required, making phosphorus deficiency easy to occur. 2. Excessive calcium supplementation. Many owners supplement calcium to prevent calcium deficiency in dogs, but if the dog's calcium level is too high, the metabolism and utilization of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and other substances will be disrupted. If the deficiency is caused by this reason, veterinarians will advise owners to stop calcium supplementation first.

        Adult dogs require 200 mg of phosphorus per kilogram of body weight daily, while growing dogs need double that amount, i.e., 400 mg. If dogs mainly eat commercial dog food, owners do not need to worry about phosphorus deficiency because the phosphorus content in dog food fully meets their needs. Moreover, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in dog food is reasonable, so dogs will not experience interference in absorbing other nutrients due to excessive calcium levels in their bodies.

        Of course, excessive phosphorus levels in a dog's body can also cause various problems, such as disrupting the metabolism and utilization of calcium and magnesium, releasing calcium from bones into the bloodstream, and thus causing osteoporosis and other issues.