Calcium supplementation prevents Developmental Bone Disease in large and giant breed dogs. Actually, calcium excess has been clearly shown to be one factor responsible for Developmental Bone Disease in large and giant breed dogs. Great Dane littermates fed 1%, 2%, and 3% calcium, both with and without adjusting phosphorus intake, painfully demonstrated that puppies fed calcium levels greater than 3% have more severe bone deformities than littermates fed less than 2% calcium. Large breed growth diets contain a little less than 1% calcium and more than adequately meet the growing puppies’ calcium requirement. Giving calcium supplements to growing puppies is not necessary and is more likely to make bone deformities worse if there is more than 3% calcium in the total diet. If you need help feeding your growing large or giant breed dog, click on Chef to request a nutritional consultation.