About the Ca:P Ration...

[jungleflockmom]

Beautiful!
One question: Don't we want a 1:1 - 2:1 overall Ca:P ratio? Not more than 2 to 1? Not less than 1:1?

Too much calcium causes constipation - how many times have you seen posts about gliders having a hard time going to the bathroom?

Are you all thinking differently?  I am really just asking. . . .

I've never known where the 2:1 overall ratio as ideal came from. . . maybe marsupial info?

[Marie]

Whilst reading nutritional info in general (horses, iggies, bearded dragons etc) I keep coming accross the 2:1 ratio,  the body needs 1 molecule of phosphorus per 2 of calcium, in all the literature I've read it's a basic requirement of all animals, so there's no reason to think suggies would be any different. 

The one molecule aids the absorption of calcium, much more and it actually hinders the absorption of calcium.  I'm not really with it today I had such a busy weekend, maybe when my head clears I'll explain better ... maybe not! 

[jungleflockmom]

thanks! You don't have to look it up - I'll look it up. I was just wondering because the iams is 1:1 and so many foods that are so good for us are higher in phosphorus than calcium. And  do we need to factor the magnesium in there? I've always seen a triad w/calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

This table is from the USDA nutrient database ( on a boxer dog site)
FOOD Ca:P Ratio

Over 3.00:1    

collard greens 14.5:1
mustard spinach 7.52:1
papaya 4.80:1
turnip greens 4.42:1
carob 4.41:1
parsley, dried 4.18:1
tofu, w/calcium sulfate 3.61:1
parsley, fresh 3.25:1

2.00 - 2.99:1 

beet greens 2.98:1
dandelion greens 2.89:1
Chinese cabbage 2.85:1
coriander 2.72:1
looseleaf lettuce 2.71:1
figs 2.57:1
kale 2.41:1
valencia oranges 2.29:1
chickory 2.14:1
dried figs 2.10:1
spinach 2.02:1
green cabbage 2.00:1
watercress 2.00:1

1.99-1.00:1

endive 1.86:1
grapes 1.40:1
celery 1.40:1
green beans 1.21:1
red cabbage 1.20:1
crabapple 1.18:1
garlic 1.18:1
radish 1.13:1
swiss chard 1.10:1
tofu 1.08:1
pear 1.06:1
apple, with skin 1.00:1
pineapple 1.00:1

.30 -.99:1   

winter squash .97:1
watermelon .93:1
honeydew melon .88:1
jack mackeral, canned .80:1
sardines, with bone .78:1
cucumber .78:1
cherry .77:1
romaine lettuce .77:1
strawberry .75:1
broccoli .72:1
apricot .71:1
cider vinegar .66:1
prunes .65:1
brussels sprouts .61:1
cauliflower .61:1
carrots .59:1
cantaloupe .59:1
summer squash .57:1
apple, without skin .56:1
seedless raisins .51:1
unblanched almonds .51:1
raw pumpkin .48:1
zucchini .48:1
alfalfa sprouts .46:1
peach .45:1
asparagus .41:1
white rice, cooked .37:1
banana .32:1
raw yam .31:1
English walnuts .30:1

[Marie]

I've not actually found any info on gliders and magnesium requirements, so I'm relying on the diet and supplement (HPS) to provide that! 

[Cerian]

Same here - 2:1 is my chosen ratio, and the proof is in the pudding...well, suggies! 

This is a general assumption, of course, but I remember reading on numerous occassions that this is the most common requirement for an animal of that size and type. Can't for the life of me remember where I read it though. 

As for magnesium, I'm relying on the diet and other supplements to provide what's needed. Perhaps we should look into it?

[jungleflockmom]

I'm thinking that 1:1 - 2:1 Ca:P  is great and more than 2:1 is excessive calcium in an overall diet - not in individual dietary items.

healthybird.com has the labels for the wombaroo products if you want to make comparisons. There is also other info related to feeding marsupials. The whey protein info is interesting.

[Marie]

2:1 is the general ratio for most animals.  I always make sure mine is between 1:1 - 2:1 usually around 1.7:1 - I never go over.

[jungleflockmom]

That's about where I am, too. Too much is as bad as too little.