Defluorinated Phosphate

Raw rock phosphate contains too much fluorine for animal feed, so most of it is removed before the phosphate is used.

Defluorinated phosphate is a calcium phosphate mineral made from rock phosphate that has been processed to lower its fluorine content. It supplies calcium and phosphorus. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that calcium and phosphorus deficiencies are uncommon in cats eating complete and balanced diets. For a cat with kidney disease, phosphorus intake is something to plan with your veterinarian.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Defluorinated phosphate is a feed-grade source of calcium and phosphorus. It is far more common in livestock feed than in cat food. When it appears on a cat food label, it is there to help balance the calcium and phosphorus in the recipe.

They are not the same ingredient, although both supply calcium and phosphorus. Dicalcium phosphate is a specific chemical compound. Defluorinated phosphate is a processed rock phosphate product defined by its low fluorine content. Its exact makeup can vary by supplier. Pettings scores each on its own page.

Phosphorus is needed for bones and energy metabolism, and it works together with calcium. Meat-based foods already contain a lot of phosphorus, so the balance between the two minerals matters. Cats with kidney disease are often fed diets with lower phosphorus under a veterinarian's care.

Pettings gives defluorinated phosphate 3 out of 5 and lists it as a mineral. It appears on 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Our How We Score page explains how ingredient scores are set. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.