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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.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

64%

Listed before the salt in 64% of foods. In the rest it is under about 1% of the recipe.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.12
All foods $3.25

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

  1. 01 // Source Phosphate rock Mined phosphate rock supplies the phosphorus used to make feed mineral salts.
  2. 02 // Process Release phosphorus Acid treatment releases phosphorus from the rock into phosphoric acid.
  3. 03 // Process Add calcium Phosphoric acid reacts with calcium carbonate, producing calcium phosphates that include dicalcium phosphate.
  4. 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.

Calcium 230-311 g/kg5
Phosphorus 168-207 g/kg5
Ash 87.1-95.8%5
Crude protein 0%5

These ranges describe the hydrated form. The anhydrous form has higher average calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Commercial products also vary because manufacturing can leave different proportions of calcium phosphate forms.5,6,7

Why it is in the bag

A small scoop that sets calcium and phosphorus

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. 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

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

  1. Brands say

    Supplies calcium and phosphorus together

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. 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

  2. Brands say

    Builds stronger bones and teeth

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. 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

  3. Critics say

    Added dicalcium phosphate damages kidneys

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. 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

  4. Brands say

    Its phosphorus is fully absorbed

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. 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

  5. Critics say

    It is just filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It 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

  2. Q02

    Is it the same as bone meal?

    No

    Bone 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

  3. Q03

    What if my dog has kidney disease?

    Check phosphorus

    The 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

  4. Q04

    Can the list show its amount?

    No

    Ingredients 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

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Mixed Tocopherols 47%
  2. Chicken 44%
  3. Peas 38%
  4. Chicken Fat 34%
  5. Flaxseed 33%
  6. Natural Flavor 31%
  7. Chicken Meal 29%
  8. Brown Rice 28%
  9. Carrots 22%
  10. Potatoes 19%
  11. Pea Protein 18%
  12. 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.

Show 48 more
FirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Original Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelTaste of the Wild Prey Trout Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodTaste of the WildTaste of the Wild Prey Trout Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelTaste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodTaste of the WildTaste of the Wild Prey Angus Beef Limited Ingredient Recipe for Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Bison Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Bison Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelBixbi Rawbble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodBIXBIBixbi Rawbble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Salmon Skin Care Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet d/d Salmon Skin Care Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelMerrick Fresh Selects Chicken & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Chicken & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 7 on the labelMerrick Fresh Selects Beef & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Fresh Selects Beef & Brown Rice Fresh Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 7 on the labelGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunks Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Chicken Chunks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelCanidae Pure Petite, Grain Free Chicken & Peas Pâté for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Petite, Grain Free Chicken & Peas Pâté for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelVerus Canine Turkey & Veggie Paté Formula Wet Dog FoodVerusVerus Canine Turkey & Veggie Paté Formula Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Senior Dog Mousse Senior Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Senior Dog Mousse Senior Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelInstinct Original Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Lamb Clusters Dry Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Lamb Clusters Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelEarthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Squid & Chickpeas Dry Dog FoodEarthborn HolisticEarthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Squid & Chickpeas Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelBixbi Liberty Dry Dog FoodBIXBIBixbi Liberty Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelHill’s Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Puppy Chicken & Barley Entrée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Grain Free Chicken Protein Plus Clusters Dry Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Whole Food Clusters Grain Free Chicken Protein Plus Clusters Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodRayne NutritionRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelDiamond Naturals Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies Wet Dog FoodDiamondDiamond Naturals Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelVerus Canine Chicken & Rice Paté Formula Wet Dog FoodVerusVerus Canine Chicken & Rice Paté Formula Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelVictor Classic Lamb and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog FoodVictorVictor Classic Lamb and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWholeHearted Freeze-Dried Immunity Support Dog Food TopperWholeHeartedWholeHearted Freeze-Dried Immunity Support Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Food Whitefish Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Whitefish Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Food Trout & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Trout & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Food Lamb Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Lamb Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Food Puppy Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Food Puppy Formula Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Bison & Sweet Potato Recipe Paté Wet Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Bison & Sweet Potato Recipe Paté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Slow Cooked Chicken One Pot Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free New York Style Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free New York Style Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Paté Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Paté Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelFirstMate Kasiks Wild Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodFirstMateFirstMate Kasiks Wild Pacific Ocean Fish Meal Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Turkey Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Turkey Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelZignature Original Small Bites Turkey Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Small Bites Turkey Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef & Chicken Essential Clusters Dry Dog FoodThe Honest KitchenThe Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Beef & Chicken Essential Clusters Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelHill’s Prescription Diet i/d Sensitive Digestive Care Rice & Egg Formula Dry Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Prescription Diet i/d Sensitive Digestive Care Rice & Egg Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Venison Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Sweet Potato & Venison Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelOpen Farm Pasture-raised Lamb Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Pasture-raised Lamb Raw Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 9 on the labelKoha Limited Ingredient Dry Bland Diet Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe with Pumpkin Dry Dog FoodKohaKoha Limited Ingredient Dry Bland Diet Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe with Pumpkin Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelKoha Bland Diet Limited Ingredient Dry Food for Dogs Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Beef & Rice Recipe with Pumpkin Dry Dog FoodKohaKoha Bland Diet Limited Ingredient Dry Food for Dogs Limited Ingredient Bland Diet Beef & Rice Recipe with Pumpkin Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelGentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Grain Free Dog and Puppy Food Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ 90% Turkey -Dog and Pupp Wet Dog FoodGentle GiantsGentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Grain Free Dog and Puppy Food Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ 90% Turkey -Dog and Pupp Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelGentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Grain Free Dog and Puppy Food Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ 90% Beef -Dog and Puppy Wet Dog FoodGentle GiantsGentle Giants Natural Non GMO Ingredients Grain Free Dog and Puppy Food Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ 90% Beef -Dog and Puppy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog FoodGravy TrainGravy Train Chunks In Gravy With Beef Chunks Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Green Eggs & Chicken with Pumpkin & Greens Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Green Eggs & Chicken with Pumpkin & Greens Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDiamond CareDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDiamond CareDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 The Source Matters - Effects of High Phosphate Intake from Eight Different Sources in Dogs Animals, 2021 // Journal
  2. 2 Apparent digestibility and calcium and phosphorus in urine after feeding different combinations of calcium and phosphorus sources to adult dogs Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2025 // Journal
  3. 3 Effects of different chicken protein sources on palatability in dry adult dog food Frontiers in Animal Science, 2023 // Journal
  4. 4 Effects of dietary phosphorus and protein in dogs with chronic renal failure American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1992 // Journal
  5. 5 Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate Tables of composition and nutritional values of feed materials, INRAE, CIRAD and AFZ, n.d. // Database
  6. 6 Dicalcium phosphate anhydrous Tables of composition and nutritional values of feed materials, INRAE, CIRAD and AFZ, n.d. // Database
  7. 7 Mineral composition and phosphorus digestibility in feed phosphates fed to pigs and poultry Animal Bioscience, 2023 // Journal
  8. 8 Complete and Balanced Pet Food U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  9. 9 Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  10. 10 AAFCO Methods for Substantiating Nutritional Adequacy of Dog and Cat Foods AAFCO, 2014 // Regulator
  11. 11 A process for the manufacture of feed grade dicalcium phosphate World Intellectual Property Organization, 2004 // Industry
  12. 12 Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Spatial Analysis of the Feed Industry Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC), 2007 // Journal
  13. 13 Influence of dietary calcium and phosphorus content in a fixed ratio on growth and development in Great Danes American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2002 // Journal
  14. 14 Method of defluorinating phosphates (US4405575A) Google Patents, 1983 // Industry
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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