Ana W – thank you for your reply. This continues to be an issue that I’m unsure about, but for now I’m avoiding foods that use any artificial phosphates. I read several articles that said artificial phosphates are absorbed MUCH more readily by dogs (and cats) than phosphorous from foods and therefore the dog can end up with a calcium:phosphorous imbalance. Plus, as you mentioned, problems for dogs with kidney issues.
Incidentally, after my original post I did find out from Steve’s Real Food that they have changed the recipes for all of their dog and cat foods and no longer use Dicalcium Phosphate.
Thanks again for weighing in.
