Ingredient file // Vitamin or mineral
Dicalcium Phosphate
A useful mineral adjustment, not a bone boost
Dicalcium phosphate is a manufactured mineral powder that supplies calcium and phosphorus together. It helps a complete food meet its mineral targets. Its place on the ingredient list does not reveal the finished food's calcium or phosphorus levels.
Role in the food Supporting nutrient- What it is
- A feed mineral produced from a phosphorus source and calcium to supply both minerals in dog food.
- Made from
- Phosphate rock and calcium carbonate
- Main job
- Calcium and phosphorus adjustment
- Typical amount
- Not published
- Watch for
- Total phosphorus in dogs with kidney disease
- Not the same as
- Bone meal
Straight answer
Is Dicalcium Phosphate safe for dogs?
Check the finished food's mineral levels
Dicalcium phosphate low on the list is an ordinary mineral adjustment. Check the nutritional adequacy statement for your dog's life stage. If calcium or phosphorus matters for your dog, ask the maker for the finished food's levels. The ingredient's position cannot answer that question.
- Why it is in the food
- Calcium and phosphorus adjustment
Our read // In our catalog
In 1 of every 6 foods we track
Share of foods that list it
17%
532 of the 3,205 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 66 brands. 349 dry dog food, 160 wet dog food, 11 dog food topper.
Each square is 1% of the catalog
Where it sits on the label
Median position 14. In the top five of 4 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.
Above the salt
Listed before the salt in 64% of foods. In the rest it is under about 1% of the recipe.
Price per lb
Median of the cheapest bag price across 292 priced foods, 4% below the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.
Who leans on it
15%
of the foods that list it are from Blue. 66 brands use it in total.
The story
A feed mineral shaped by fluoride and mad cow
One route to dicalcium phosphate starts with mined phosphate rock, the raw material feed phosphate plants turn into mineral salts for pigs and poultry. Raw rock cannot go straight into feed. A 1983 patent noted that Florida phosphate rock carries about 3.0 to 4.2% fluorine, too much for animal feed, so removing most of it became part of making feed phosphates. Dog food recipes use this same feed mineral to adjust calcium and phosphorus.3,7,14
A second route made dicalcium phosphate from animal bones, which put it inside the mad cow crisis. France banned meat and bone meal from cattle feed on July 30, 1990, but bone-derived dicalcium phosphate stayed legal for cattle until November 2000, when a total ban on meat and bone meal for farm animals took effect. A 2007 French analysis of feed use and BSE cases found no significant link to bone-derived dicalcium phosphate.12
Later research compared phosphate forms directly in dogs. In a 2021 trial, researchers fed 8 Beagles high phosphorus diets built on 8 different phosphate sources, each for 18 days. Blood phosphorus after a meal reached 3.1 mmol/L with soluble monosodium phosphate and 1.6 with dicalcium phosphate. Every test diet was deliberately high in phosphorus, and the study did not measure kidney damage.1
What it is
How it is made
Feed phosphate plants process mined rock into phosphorus compounds, then combine them with a calcium source. Dicalcium phosphate is made for animal feed; it is not a leftover from meat processing.7,11
- 01 // Source Phosphate rock Mined phosphate rock supplies the phosphorus used to make feed mineral salts.
- 02 // Process Release phosphorus Acid treatment releases phosphorus from the rock into phosphoric acid.
- 03 // Process Add calcium Phosphoric acid reacts with calcium carbonate, producing calcium phosphates that include dicalcium phosphate.
- 04 // Output Dry feed mineral The mineral is separated and dried before shipment to feed makers.
What is in it
Composition, dry matter
245
g/kg calcium
The average for dicalcium phosphate dihydrate. It supplies phosphorus too, so the finished food needs both mineral levels checked.
Why it is in the bag
A small scoop that sets calcium and phosphorus
- Main nutrition
- Supporting nutrient
- Does a job
- Mostly filler
Makers add it when the meats, grains and other ingredients leave calcium or phosphorus short of the targets a complete food must meet. Lists run by weight, so a small inclusion lands below the main ingredients, but it averages 245 g/kg calcium and 175 g/kg phosphorus on a dry matter basis. Five test kibbles used 0.87 to 2.33%, likely enough to shift the food's mineral levels. It adds no protein.3,5,8,9
-
01
Adjusts two minerals
Each addition raises calcium and phosphorus together. Formulators account for the minerals supplied by the other ingredients when setting the amount.5,10
-
02
Meets recipe targets
Complete dog foods must meet nutrient targets or pass a feeding trial. Dicalcium phosphate is one way to add minerals when a recipe needs them.8,10
-
03
Fits feed production
Feed phosphate plants produce mineral salts for animal diets at scale. A measured dry ingredient lets makers adjust minerals without replacing the recipe's main ingredients.7
How much Five experimental adult kibble formulas contained 0.87 to 2.33% dicalcium phosphate; that range is not a published typical amount.3
Our read // The claims
What the evidence supports
Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.
-
Brands say
Supplies calcium and phosphorus together
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
The hydrated form averages 245 g/kg calcium and 175 g/kg phosphorus on a dry matter basis. The powder supplies both minerals, but its name cannot tell you the finished food's mineral levels.5,9
-
Brands say
Builds stronger bones and teeth
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
Calcium and phosphorus are required nutrients, and AAFCO sets minimums for growing dogs. Supplying a shortfall matters. That does not show that extra dicalcium phosphate strengthens bones or teeth in a dog already fed a complete diet.8,10
-
Critics say
Added dicalcium phosphate damages kidneys
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
In an 18-day trial with 8 healthy dogs, a high phosphorus diet containing dicalcium phosphate raised blood phosphorus after a meal. The researchers did not test kidney damage or the amounts used in ordinary kibble.1
-
Brands say
Its phosphorus is fully absorbed
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
The dicalcium phosphate diet had 20.5% apparent phosphorus digestibility in one dog trial. Another 8-dog comparison found 20% with the hydrated form, versus 26% with a soluble phosphorus source. Full absorption is unsupported.1,2
-
Critics say
It is just filler
Outruns the evidence
Evidence
- Strong
- Some
- Thin
- None
The hydrated form averages 245 g/kg calcium and 175 g/kg phosphorus. It supplies no protein or fat, but experimental adult kibble formulas used it to adjust minerals. That is a specific nutritional job.3,5
The research
Studies worth knowing
Published research we read for this page, dog studies first.
-
2021 // Feeding trial, 8 phosphate sources
Dicalcium phosphate raised blood phosphorus far less than soluble salts1
8 healthy adult Beagles
Found. Each high phosphorus diet was fed for 18 days. Blood phosphorus after a meal reached 1.6 mmol/L on dicalcium phosphate versus 3.1 on monosodium phosphate, and phosphorus digestibility was 20.5% versus 32.5%.
What it means. The form of added phosphorus changes how much reaches the blood. Dicalcium phosphate is one of the milder forms, though every test diet was deliberately high in phosphorus.
-
2025 // Feeding trial, 2 diets
Dogs absorbed less phosphorus from dicalcium phosphate than a soluble salt2
8 adult Foxhound cross dogs
Found. Apparent phosphorus digestibility of the whole diet was 20% with dicalcium phosphate dihydrate versus 26% with monosodium phosphate. Urine phosphorus before meals was also lower, 31.7 versus 47.7 mmol/L.
What it means. Swapping a soluble salt for dicalcium phosphate lowered how much of the diet's phosphorus dogs absorbed. The figure covers the whole diet, not the mineral alone.
-
2002 // Feeding trial, 3 diets
Puppy bone mineral followed diet calcium and phosphorus early on13
32 Great Dane puppies from 4 litters
Found. From weaning through 18 months, puppies ate 1 of 3 diets with calcium and phosphorus in a fixed ratio. Bone mineral rose with diet levels until 5 to 6 months, then hormones adjusted absorption and excretion.
What it means. Mineral levels matter most in a giant breed puppy's first months. The study tested mineral amounts, not dicalcium phosphate as an ingredient.
Straight answers
What owners ask
-
Q01
Is it just filler?
NoIt supplies calcium and phosphorus that a complete diet must account for. It has no protein or useful calories, but those are not its jobs. Judge the finished food's mineral levels.5,8,10
-
Q02
Is it the same as bone meal?
NoBone meal comes from animal bone. Dicalcium phosphate is made through a mineral production process. Both contribute calcium and phosphorus, but they are different ingredients with different sources.1,7
-
Q03
What if my dog has kidney disease?
Check phosphorusThe finished diet's phosphorus level matters more than this ingredient's presence. In a trial of dogs with surgically reduced kidney function, those fed less phosphorus survived longer. Ask for the food's phosphorus level.4
-
Q04
Can the list show its amount?
NoIngredients appear in descending order by weight, so placement offers only a rough clue. It cannot tell you the amount of dicalcium phosphate or the finished food's calcium and phosphorus levels.9
Who uses it
Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps
Top brands, by foods that list it
Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.
Plus 56 more brands.
Amazon best sellers that list it
- #1 Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- #8 Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
- #27 Blue Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- #28 Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy to Digest Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food
- #30 Blue Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- #32 Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
- #34 Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food
- #35 Blue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.
Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it
- Mixed Tocopherols 47%
- Chicken 44%
- Peas 38%
- Chicken Fat 34%
- Flaxseed 33%
- Natural Flavor 31%
- Chicken Meal 29%
- Brown Rice 28%
- Carrots 22%
- Potatoes 19%
- Pea Protein 18%
- Oatmeal 16%
On the shelf
Foods that list Dicalcium Phosphate
532 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.
ZignatureZignature Original Food Venison Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
BIXBIBixbi Liberty Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Rayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Rabbit-Maint Paté Wet Dog Food
Nature's RecipeNature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Dry Dog Food
MerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Turkey & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog Food
Dave's Pet FoodDave’s Pet Food 95% Premium Meats Chicken & Beef For Dogs / Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
VerusVerus Canine Beef & Barley Paté Formula Wet Dog Food
ZignatureZignature Essence LIR Landfowl Recipe Food Can Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
PurinaPurina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Protein Chicken Formula Wet Dog Food
FirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Weight Control Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
FirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Large Breed Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the WildTaste of the Wild Prey Turkey Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Show 48 more
FirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the WildTaste of the Wild Prey Trout Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Taste of the WildTaste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Natural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Bison Dry Dog Food
BIXBIBixbi Rawbble Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Hill'sHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Salmon Skin Care Wet Dog Food
MerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Chicken & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog Food
MerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Beef & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog Food
Gravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunks Wet Dog Food
CanidaeCanidae Pure Petite, Grain Free Chicken & Peas Pâté for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog Food
VerusVerus Canine Turkey & Veggie Paté Formula Wet Dog Food
Tiki DogTiki Dog Senior Dog Mousse Senior Wet Dog Food
InstinctInstinct Original Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
The Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Lamb Clusters Dry Dog Food
Earthborn HolisticEarthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Squid & Chickpeas Dry Dog Food
BIXBIBixbi Liberty Dry Dog Food
Hill'sHill’s Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée Wet Dog Food
The Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Grain Free Chicken Protein Plus Clusters Dry Dog Food
Rayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food
DiamondDiamond Naturals Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies Wet Dog Food
VerusVerus Canine Chicken & Rice Paté Formula Wet Dog Food
VictorVictor Classic Lamb and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog Food
WholeHeartedWholeHearted Freeze-Dried Immunity Support Dog Food Topper
ZignatureZignature Original Food Whitefish Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
ZignatureZignature Original Food Trout & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
ZignatureZignature Original Food Lamb Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
ZignatureZignature Original Food Puppy Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Natural BalanceNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Bison & Sweet Potato Recipe Paté Wet Dog Food
FrommFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog Food
The Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey One Pot Stew Wet Dog Food
The Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog Food
Health ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free New York Style Wet Dog Food
NuloNulo FreeStyle Paté Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
FirstMateFirstMate Kasiks Wild Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
ZignatureZignature Original Turkey Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
ZignatureZignature Original Small Bites Turkey Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef & Chicken Essential Clusters Dry Dog Food
Hill'sHill’s Prescription Diet i/d Sensitive Digestive Care Rice & Egg Formula Dry Dog Food
Natural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Venison Dry Dog Food
Open FarmOpen Farm Pasture-raised Lamb Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food
KohaKoha Limited Ingredient Dry Bland Diet Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe with Pumpkin Dry Dog Food
KohaKoha Bland Diet Limited Ingredient Dry Food for Dogs Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Beef & Rice Recipe with Pumpkin Dry Dog Food
Gentle GiantsGentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Grain Free Dog and Puppy Food Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ 90% Turkey -Dog and Pupp Wet Dog Food
Gentle GiantsGentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Grain Free Dog and Puppy Food Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ 90% Beef -Dog and Puppy Wet Dog Food
Gravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog Food
WeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Green Eggs & Chicken with Pumpkin & Greens Grain-Free Wet Dog Food
Diamond CareDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Diamond CareDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Sources
What we read
Checked September 1, 2026.
- 1 The Source Matters - Effects of High Phosphate Intake from Eight Different Sources in Dogs
- 2 Apparent digestibility and calcium and phosphorus in urine after feeding different combinations of calcium and phosphorus sources to adult dogs
- 3 Effects of different chicken protein sources on palatability in dry adult dog food
- 4 Effects of dietary phosphorus and protein in dogs with chronic renal failure
- 5 Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate
- 6 Dicalcium phosphate anhydrous
- 7 Mineral composition and phosphorus digestibility in feed phosphates fed to pigs and poultry
- 8 Complete and Balanced Pet Food
- 9 Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims
- 10 AAFCO Methods for Substantiating Nutritional Adequacy of Dog and Cat Foods
- 11 A process for the manufacture of feed grade dicalcium phosphate
- 12 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Spatial Analysis of the Feed Industry
- 13 Influence of dietary calcium and phosphorus content in a fixed ratio on growth and development in Great Danes
- 14 Method of defluorinating phosphates (US4405575A)