Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate
Our ingredient score: 3 / 5 · Mineral · How We Score
Dicalcium and monocalcium phosphate supply calcium and phosphorus together. Added phosphates are absorbed more easily than the phosphorus in meat and bone. In a 2018 study in healthy cats fed high amounts of added phosphate, sodium phosphate led to glucose in the urine, a sign of kidney strain, while calcium monophosphate did not. A meat-based food already contains phosphorus from the meat.
Common Questions
Is mono and dicalcium phosphate safe for cats?
Mono and dicalcium phosphate is a mixture of monocalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate used to supply calcium and phosphorus. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that calcium and phosphorus deficiencies are uncommon in dogs and cats eating complete and balanced diets. If your cat has kidney disease, phosphorus intake is something to plan with your veterinarian.
Source: merckvetmanual.com
What is mono and dicalcium phosphate in cat food?
Mono and dicalcium phosphate is a feed ingredient that blends two calcium phosphates in one product. It is added to raise calcium and phosphorus to their target levels. It is common in livestock feed and rare in cat food, appearing on only one dry food we track.
What is the difference between mono and dicalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate?
Dicalcium phosphate is a single compound. Mono and dicalcium phosphate is a blend of monocalcium and dicalcium phosphate, so it carries more phosphorus relative to calcium than dicalcium phosphate alone. Pettings keeps separate pages for these label names because brands print them differently.
Does phosphorus in cat food matter for kidney disease?
Phosphorus intake matters for cats with chronic kidney disease, and veterinarians often recommend diets with restricted phosphorus for these cats. Cats without kidney disease still need phosphorus in their food. The right level for a cat with kidney disease is something your veterinarian will set.
How does Pettings score mono and dicalcium phosphate?
Pettings gives mono and dicalcium 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.
How Foods With Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate Compare
Mono and Dicalcium Phosphate is on the label of 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list.