The Calcuim:Phosphorus Ratio Explained

[Cerian]

Both calcium and phosphorus are vital in a diet, without calcium the bones will weaken, muscles and vital organs will not be able to funtion properly. In gliders this causes a condition known as Hind Leg Paralysis, if not caught early enough and treated it can cause death. The first really noticable symptom will be the loss of use of the back legs. HLP is a terrible condition, it is really upsetting watching a glider drag itself around a cage!!!  A few earlier signs that there may not be enough calcium in the diet include muscle spasms (muscles appear to twitch), trembling limbs, and a general awkwardness to the movement.

Phosphorus is also a necessary part of the diet as it actually helps the body to absorb the calcium, BUT, too much phosphorus can actually inhibit the absorption of calcium. Too much calcium can cause damage to the internal organs too, the body doesn't just dispose of the excess it actually crystalises it inhibiting the efficiency of the kidneys. It can also cause urinary tract infections (UTI's).

The ideal ratio for a Sugar Glider is 2:1 that is 2 calcium molecules to 1 phosphorus molecule.


So a diet consisting of Papaya, fig, mango, apple and pear (a few of my suggies favorites) would work out as follows.

Papaya = 4.8:1 (that's 4.8 calcium molecules to 1 phosphorus molecule)
Fig = 2.5:1 (that's 2.5 ca molecules to 1 p molecule)
Mango = 0.9:1 (that's 0.9 ca molecules to 1 phos molecule)
Apple = 1:1 (thats 1 ca molecule to 1 phos molecule)
Pear = 1:1 (that's 1 ca molecule to 1 phos molecule)

Add these down,
calcium molecules would total 4.8+2.5+0.9+1+1=10.2
Phosphorus molecules would total 1+1+1+1+1=5

Then divide the calcium total by the phosphorus total,
10.2 divided by 5 = 2.0:1

So your ca:p ratio is 2:1

Hope this explains ca:p ratio's a little for you!! 

- Marie

PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS NOT A DIET PLAN, THIS IS AN EXPLANATION OF HOW TO WORK OUT CA:P RATIO'S.  WHEN CALCULATING YOUR DIET YOU MUST TAKE THE PROTEIN SOURCE INTO CONSIDERATION.

Ratio's of some popular protein choices
Chicken, dark meat, no skin, no bones - 1:13.5  (!!!)
Chicken, dark meat, no skin, no bones - 1:15.5 (!!!)
Egg, scrambled - 1:2.4
Iams 1+ cat biscuits - 1:1

© Shropshire Exotics 01/01/07

[Marie]

Here's Angi's method of doing the calculation.

I don't use the same quantities of each fruit as they all have different weights, I split everything into 1 ounce portions  as I go along and write them down as I weigh them. So I might have say:-
4 oz figs at 2.5:1
6oz papaya @ 4.8:1
1oz raspberries @1.8:1
10oz apple @1:1

so I would multiply each one -
4x2.5=10
6x4.8=28.8
4x1.8=7.2
10x1=10

then add them up   10+28.8+7.2+10=  56
then divide by however many of ounces there are which in this case is 24

the answer is 2.3:1
by the time I add Iams, yoghurt or egg it will be brought down to 2:1 or under as the diet is 3 parts fruit and veg to 1 part protien - 2.3 x3=6.9      +  1x1=1      aded together =7.9  divided by 4 = 1.975 (or just call it 2:1)

Thats the way I do it anyway, if the figures are to high or low I alter the amounts as i go along - keeping a pen and paper plus calculator in the kitchen to help me, lol. Now how anal is that?!!!! -.-