Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs

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.

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

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 6 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

16%

398 of the 2,523 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 52 brands. 315 dry dog food, 81 wet dog food, 2 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 14. In the top five of 3 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 $3.23

Median of the cheapest bag price across 258 priced foods, 3% below the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

18%

of the foods that list it are from Blue. 52 brands use it in total.

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

What the manufacturer gets

  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

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

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Blue 73
  2. Hill's 39
  3. Stella & Chewy's 21
  4. NutriSource 20
  5. Natural Balance 16
  6. Zignature 14
  7. Tiki Dog 13
  8. Halo 12
  9. Rachael Ray Nutrish 10
  10. Solid Gold 10

Plus 42 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #1 Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  2. #8 Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula All Life Stages Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
  3. #24 Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy to Digest Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food
  4. #26 Blue Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  5. #28 Blue Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  6. #29 Blue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  7. #33 Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
  8. #38 Iams Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 42%
  2. Chicken Fat 42%
  3. Peas 41%
  4. Flaxseed 36%
  5. Chicken Meal 36%
  6. Natural Flavor 34%
  7. Brown Rice 30%
  8. Pea Protein 21%
  9. Oatmeal 19%
  10. Potatoes 18%
  11. Barley 17%
  12. Pea Starch 16%

On the shelf

Foods that list it

398 foods in our reviews list it. Here are some of them.

Nature’s Recipe Healthy Skin Vegetarian Recipe Dry Dog Food24.4% proteinRayne Nutrition Rabbit-Maint Paté Wet Dog Food27.3% proteinZignature Original Food Venison Formula Wet Dog Food38.6% protein
Show 59 more Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Turkey and Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food30.0% proteinHalo Holistic Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Puppy Dry Dog Food31.9% proteinNutro Natural Choice Adult Small Bites , Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Dish Beef & Brown Rice with Veggie & Fruit Blend Dry Dog Food28.9% proteinDiamond>Naturals Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages Dog Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food27.8% proteinDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula Dry Dog Food27.8% proteinDiamond>Care Diamond Care Sensitive Skin Formula Dry Dog Food24.4% proteinKirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Turkey and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food26.7% proteinHalo Holistic Cage-Free Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food29.7% proteinHalo Holistic Vegan Plant-Based with Kelp Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food29.7% proteinBlue True Solutions Small Breed Care Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs Dry Dog Food31.1% proteinCanidae All Life Stages , Chicken and Rice Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinCanidae Pure , Lamb, Turkey & Chicken Grain Free Recipe Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinBlue Wilderness Premier Blend Adult Chicken Tender Meaty Cuts Recipe Dry Dog Food36.7% proteinSimply Nourish Original Grain Free Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food31.1% proteinSimply Nourish Original Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food30.0% proteinEukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy , case of 12 Wet Dog Food43.4% proteinRayne Nutrition Plant-Based Chunky Stew Wet Dog Food27.1% proteinThe Honest Kitchen Tender Turkey One Pot Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinNatural Balance Limited Ingredient Bison & Sweet Potato Recipe Paté Wet Dog Food27.3% proteinThe Honest Kitchen Beef, Cheddar & Farm Veggies Butcher Block Pâté Wet Dog Food54.5% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Entrée Wet Dog Food18.2% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Healthy Cuisine Chicken & Vegetables Stew Wet Dog Food26.7% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken & Rice Entrée Wet Dog Food21.4% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Hearty Vegetable & Chicken Stew Wet Dog Food25.0% proteinPedigree Puppy Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinHill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Wet Dog Food16.7% proteinHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Small & Mini Chicken & Vegetables Entrée Wet Dog Food22.7% proteinBlue Wilderness Denali Dinner Wild Salmon Venison Halibut Dinner Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinBlue Life Protection Formula Homestyle Recipe Puppy Food - Chicken & Garden Vegetables Wet Dog Food34.6% proteinNulo FreeStyle Paté Small Breed Duck & Chickpeas Recipe Wet Dog Food47.7% proteinStella & Chewy’s SuperBlends Chicken & Salmon Dry Puppy Food: Raw Coated Oven Baked Kibble with Superfoods, Antioxidants & Probiotics Dry Dog Food31.8% proteinRayne Nutrition Rabbit Maint Rabbit-Maint Dry Dog Food28.4% proteinRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo Maint Quinoa Low Fat Kangaroo-Maint with Quinoa Dry Dog Food33.0% proteinRayne Nutrition Crocodilia Maint Crocodilia-Maint Dry Dog Food22.7% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Big Life Savory Chicken, Veggies & Barley Dry Dog Food27.8% proteinEvanger’s Complements Grain Free All Fresh Vegetarian Dinner Wet Dog Food29.2% proteinAuthority Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Dog Dry Food - Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food28.9% proteinRayne Nutrition Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food33.0% proteinVerus VēRUS Canine Small Breed Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food28.0% proteinVictor Classic Lamb and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinHill’s Science Diet Single Protein Adult Single Protein Beef & Carrot Recipe Fresh Roll Wet Dog Food26.5% proteinVerus Canine Chicken & Rice Paté Formula Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinVerus Canine Turkey & Veggie Paté Formula Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinVictor Classic Chicken and Rice Formula Pâté Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinVerus Canine Beef & Barley Paté Formula Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinVerus Canine Fish & Potato Paté Formula Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinDiamond Naturals Chicken Dinner for Adult Dogs & Puppies Wet Dog Food43.2% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Hearty Beef Stew Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinHill’s Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Rice Stew Wet Dog Food25.0% proteinI and Love and You Naked Essentials Lambarama Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Lamb Stew With Carrots Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinRachael Ray Nutrish Chicken Muttballs Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinWellness Core Digestive Health Chicken - Dog Wet Dog Food54.5% proteinWellness Core Digestive Health Beef Wet Dog Food54.5% proteinWellness Complete Health Paté Puppy Chicken & Salmon Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinWellness Core Digestive Health Lamb Wet Dog Food54.5% proteinSolid Gold Mighty Mini Turkey Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinOpen Farm Turkey & Salmon Hearty Stew Wet Dog Food43.8% protein

Our read // On the bag

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.

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
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

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED