Working dogs such as the Doberman grow relatively quickly and therefore require more calcium. For puppies, the calcium content in ordinary puppy food is sometimes not enough to meet full growth needs, and if you use homemade food instead of complete dog food, timely calcium supplementation becomes even more important.
In addition, if your dog eats large amounts of animal liver or meat for a long time, calcium should also be supplemented appropriately. This is because such foods not only contain relatively little calcium, but also contain a high concentration of vitamin A. Long-term intake of too much vitamin A can suppress calcium absorption. Therefore, the habit of feeding liver continuously should be corrected, and calcium should be supplemented in time. Once the Doberman enters adulthood, extra calcium is usually not necessary if it is eating a proper diet, because by then the growth and development of bones and other organs have basically stopped, and calcium demand becomes much lower. However, breeding males and females during pregnancy and lactation may still need more calcium, because semen production, fetal development, and milk production all cause considerable calcium loss. If this is not replaced in time, the body may draw calcium from its internal stores, leading to osteoporosis.
If the dog already shows symptoms of calcium deficiency, medicinal supplementation may be needed. Veterinary calcium carbonate, calcium lactate, and vitamin D-related products are often used together. At the same time, foods rich in vitamin A, such as liver, should be reduced, which also helps improve calcium absorption. If conditions allow, some imported pet calcium products may also be chosen because they are professionally formulated.
Some people think feeding large amounts of meat will make a puppy grow stronger. In fact, this is incorrect. Meat alone cannot make a puppy truly strong, and many puppies develop diarrhea from poor digestion when fed too much meat. Although meat contains a lot of protein, it is relatively poor in vitamins A, D, E, iodine, and especially calcium, while phosphorus is relatively high. If a dog eats mainly meat for a long time, the calcium-phosphorus ratio in the body can become unbalanced, leading to skeletal disorders and lameness. Too much meat too early may even contribute to bending of the forelimbs.
Puppy diets should include calcium powder and vitamins, which are necessary for tooth and bone development. This is especially true for large-boned purebred dogs, where puppies need calcium even more. As a general guideline, puppies under one year of age may receive about one teaspoon of calcium powder per two kilograms of body weight, with the amount gradually adjusted as they grow. After the dog reaches a more stable age and the permanent teeth have developed, the amount of calcium powder can be reduced. At the same time, every dog should get suitable outdoor exercise and exposure to sunlight, because ultraviolet light also helps calcium absorption.