Calcium is an essential mineral for both humans and felines. You're probably well aware that calcium is essential for strong bones, but did you know its functions reach far beyond your cat's skeletal structure?

Proper calcium levels are vital for optimal health, as both deficiencies and overdoses can spell serious trouble for your kitty. We'll explore the importance of calcium for cats, the risks of imbalances, and how to ensure your fur-baby gets the right amount.

Let's take a look at some of the metabolic processes that calcium is involved in.

Calcium is vital for proper skeletal formation during kittenhood and in utero, but it also keeps their teeth and bones strong as your cat ages. Too little calcium in your cat's diet can cause serious skeletal conditions like rickets, which is characterized by misshapen legs and lameness.

Like magnesium, potassium, and sodium, calcium is both a mineral and an electrolyte. Like all electrolytes, calcium is highly involved with the movement of fluid in and out of the cells.

Another one of calcium's important electrolyte functions is to assist in the conduction of nerve impulses and cell signals. Calcium is involved with muscle movement (including helping control the rhythm of your cat's heart!) and helps cells communicate with each other.

Did you know calcium also is involved in blood coagulation? Next time your kitty gets a scratch, you can thank calcium for its role in clotting and wound healing! 

The National Animal Supplement Council states that "The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) say that adult cats need 0.6% of their total diet to be calcium. Calcium levels also need to be balanced with phosphorus. Ideally, cats should get 1.2 parts calcium for every 1 part of phosphorus." The National Research Council of National Academies offers a more exact number for adult cats, recommending 180 mg of calcium a day.

The exact amount of calcium and phosphorous in your pet's food will vary by brand, but most commercial foods (with the exception of low-phosphorous recipes to support felines with renal disease) are formulated to meet the standards set by AAFCO.

When you think of calcium-rich foods, the first thing that probably comes to mind is dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. While these are certainly great sources of calcium for humans, they can cause stomach upset in our fur-babies. Here are some more cat-friendly calcium sources that you can use to enrich your cat's diet:

Calcium deficiency or hypocalcemia is a condition that occurs when cats (or other mammals) have too little calcium in their blood. Hypocalcemia can stem from a number of things, and it can happen to any cat breed. One of the most common contributing factors for low calcium is high phosphate levels and too little calcium in the diet. Phosphate and vitamin D help to regulate calcium levels in the body, and when these are imbalanced, they can cause your cat's blood calcium levels to change drastically.

Cats who are in renal failure, have poor parathyroid function, or have had their parathyroid taken out are more likely to develop a calcium deficiency.

Here are some of the common symptoms seen in cats with a calcium deficiency:

Hypocalcemia can be deadly, so it is crucial you seek vet care asap if your cat is exhibiting the above symptoms. If your cat's blood calcium levels are severely depleted, they will likely need to be admitted to a vet hospital until their levels return to normal. 

Your vet will likely administer calcium salts and vitamin D to help with the absorption of calcium. If this is a reoccurring issue, the vet may prescribe multivitamins as a supportive measure. The vet will likely want to do additional tests to determine if there is another condition contributing to hypocalcemia, and if so, they will want to address that as well. 

Once stabilized, follow-up care will need to continue for several weeks or months to check their levels and ensure their calcium is within range.

Hypercalcemia or excess blood calcium levels isn't uncommon. This condition can occur due to several reasons, including kidney disease, cancer, poisoning, hyperparathyroidism, and — you guessed it— an overdose of calcium supplements.

You might be surprised to learn that an overdose of vitamin D can also cause calcium levels to skyrocket as well since vitamin D and phosphorous are closely tied to calcium regulation.

Hypocalcemia can be deadly, so it is crucial you seek vet care asap if your cat is exhibiting the above symptoms.

If your cat's blood calcium levels are severely depleted, they will likely need to be admitted to a vet hospital until their levels return to normal. There, the vet will likely administer calcium salts and vitamin D to help with the absorption of calcium.

If this is a reoccurring issue, the vet may prescribe a multivitamin to keep their levels in check. The vet will likely want to do additional tests to determine if there is another condition contributing to hypocalcemia, and if so, they will want to address that as well. 

Once stabilized, follow-up care will need to continue for several weeks or months to check their levels and ensure their calcium is within range.

As we touched on above, most commercial cat foods (except low phosphorous diets and supplemental entrees, treats, and food toppers) are formulated with all the calcium and phosphorus your cat needs for optimal health in their lifestage. 

Chances are, unless your cat has an underlying condition like rickets or chronic hypocalcemia, they likely won't need added calcium supplements.

Proper calcium levels are essential for skeletal development, fluid regulation, muscle function, blood clotting, and nerve signaling. Both deficiencies and overdoses of calcium can lead to serious health issues.

It's important to ensure your cat receives the recommended daily calcium intake, balanced with phosphorus, through a nutritionally complete diet. Most commercial cat foods meet these nutritional standards, making supplements unnecessary unless prescribed by a veterinarian for specific health conditions.