Calcium Suppliments

[Telori]

Hello, I am new here...I am also the new owner of a Saint Bernard puppy. She is 10 weeks old and we have had her for two weeks...

I have a question for anyone who might know...we have a puppy pack from the breeder and it tells us what to feed her and how to look after her...my problem is people are telling me I should be supplimenting her diet with calcium because she is such a large breed. She has been to the vet already and was weighed and I got a bit of information...but nothing was mentioned about suppliments...I have to take her back this week sometime, but want to know asap, so I can start if I need to...

Thanks

[Poodle wrangler]

Calcium supplements USED to be recommended, but current thinking is it actually caused problems.

So, no longer recommended.

Giant and large breeds need to grow nice and slow and steady.

[Dogsfevr]

Ask your breeder.If they are good ethical breeder they should be your lifeline for help.

We never use calcium supp BUT that is our choice.The diet if a good sound one will give a growing pup all it needs & with saints its important that they grow slowly to avoid any issues.

The only supp i would consider & AGAIN personal would be glucomisine which i do give my large breeds as pup through to old age.

[Telori]

Thanks...I will email my breeder tonight.

[Guest Tess32]

There's no need to supplement if you're feeding either a good quality dry or a well balanced raw diet. Dry foods are already "balanced" in that regard so adding calcium is just going to throw the calicum/phosphorus levels off, and with a balanced raw diet you'd already be getting calcium from the bones.

[KitKat]

As long as you are feeding a high quality balanced diet then you don't need to add calcium - in fact added calcium can cause more problems then anything else.

[Legacee]

Many of the premium dryfoods are made especially for large/giant breeds so you dont need to add too many other foods. Royal Canin, Eagle pack and I think Pro plan have giant breed puppy food.

[cassie]

Eeeeek no, please do not add calcium! As others have said, it can do a lot of harm to a growing Saint. They grow incredibly fast as it is, they do NOT need such supplements if their diet is complete and balanced. What are you feeding her?

[Telori]

Thank you for your replies. I contacted Charlie's breeder and she told me not to add anything to her diet. She is growing well for her age and the puppy food I am giving her is enough (one third tin and one cup Supercoat in water)...it's what the breeder was feeding her (not in that quantity, I have added as she's gotten bigger) and I didn't want to upset her tummy by changing...I do give her 'bones' (bikkies) designed to keep her teeth clean and she gets little treats while we are training her (supplied by the breeder)...thanks again for the help...I'm sure I'll need more as time goes on.

[poodlefan]

Why are you soaking the supercoat? I'd suggest you do a bit of searching here about premium brands of dog food for giant breed pups - you can buy something designed specifically for your pup.

Edited May 8, 2008 by poodlefan

[sas]

I say a big NO for Calcium supplements for giant dogs, from what I know first hand, it either ads addition height to them which you don't really want or it creates structural problems.

Having seen a Dane before who was supplemented with calcium supplements, heavily too would be my guess was the saddest thing.

[puggy_puggy]

Just wondering adverse effects calcium supplements can have on a pup.

My vet has reccomended adding some to a pug pups food. His words were 'adding a calcium supplement wouldn't hurt'

[Guest Tess32]

There is no need so supplement calcium if the diet is solid, and so it's wiser to fix up the diet than keep adding supplements to try and make it better.

Excess calcium can be very dangerous - usually diseases related to zinc deficiency I think as it inhibits zinc absorption, plus skeletal abnormalities etc.

My vet said he HAS recommended calcium supps in the past, but only because he had clients who refused to change the diet, which was meat-only. They wouldn't feed dry or bones so he had no choice but to suggest it.

[puggy_puggy]

Thanks Tess.

[cassie]

Why are you soaking the supercoat? I'd suggest you do a bit of searching here about premium brands of dog food for giant breed pups - you can buy something designed specifically for your pup.

I totally agree with Poodlefan...

Supercoat is NOT a super-premium brand of dog food. Yes it may work for many people and their dogs, but IMO growing giant breeds have special dietary requirements which Supercoat does not give. Then again if your breeder uses it and her dogs are all fine...?

IMO, a good food for a growing Saint is Royal Canin Giant Baby Puppy which then changes to Royal Canin Giant Puppy at 4-5 months old (this is what I've done with my boy) or else Nutro or Eagle Pack also do Large/Giant formulas.