Calcium is a major mineral essential for healthy bones and teeth. There are several minerals known to be essential to the human body and which must be obtained from food. The major minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride and potassium) are needed in the greatest quantities or are present in large amounts in the body. The three main functions of minerals are as constituents of the skeleton, as soluble salts which help control the composition of the body fluids, and as essential adjuncts to the action of many enzymes and other proteins.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Your Pet's Need for Calcium

If They are among the growing number of pet owners who feed their animals a raw meat or homemade diet, it is very important that your pet is the right amount of calcium.

Calcium is a very important mineral for your pet overall strength and good health . Of all the minerals, calcium is in the graten amount. It is important in the body for many functions including bone formation, blood clotting, muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.

If feeding a quality dog food then calcium is probably not a problem. Most good, natural foods contain more than enough calcium for large breeds. Which animals need calcium supplementation? Animals with a muscle and organ meat-based diet; animals in a home cooking food, especially if the animal is a picky eater who refuses to eat the whole food, animals for experiments on food allergies, animals on restricted antigen hypoallergenic or home cooked diet, birds, reptiles, lactating mammals.

So, after consultation with the veterinarian, you have noticed that your pet needs calcium supplementation. Dr. Pitcairn in his Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats has several suggestions for adding calcium to your pet nutrition. He recommends the use of MBM in powder form specially for the addition of the animals. You can use the stores sold in natural food products for human consumption, but it will be less convenient and more expensive. NEVER use bone meal in garden centers sold. It is toxic to animals (and humans) .

a very pure form of calcium is that the algae off the coast of Ireland. It has the advantage of not from an animal and offers many excellent trace minerals.

Calcium tablets or powders is another source for the addition. It comes in various forms, such as calcium carbonate, calcium chelate, calcium gluconate and calcium lactate. Avoid products that also contain magnesium and phosphorus. If you buy tablets, with a mortar and pestle or pill crusher to grind it into a powder before mixing with food.

Eggshell powder is a natural and very cost-effective way to calcium in the diet of your pet. You can do it yourself from egg shells, which are very high in calcium carbonate. Wash the egg shells right after cracking and allow it dry. After collecting a dozen or so, bake at 300 degrees about 10 minutes. This eliminates a mineral oil coating sometimes added to eggs from drying out. The mussels are now dry and brittle enough to grind to a fine powder with a nut and seed mill, blender or motar and pestle. Eliminate all sharp pieces.

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for our pets need good bone and general health. Supplement is the best way to see that met the need for a balanced and healthy diet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sherry_Massey

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