Why Is Calcium Sulfate in Cat Treats?

You've finally settled on a healthy diet for Fluffy, so the last thing you want is to compromise on her treats. If you noticed "calcium sulfate" on her treat package, you may wonder if it's safe or even necessary. Calcium sulfate is a mineral widely used in food processing.

  1. Gypsum = Calcium Sulfate

    • Calcium sulfate is the technical name for the mineral commonly known as gypsum. One of the most commonly used minerals, gypsum is sediment from ocean brine. Calcium sulfate is used throughout the world and you'll find it in many items. The food and beverage industry relies on it, as do the pharmaceutical, landscape and agricultural industries.

    Plaster of Paris

    • You may have been told to keep Fluffy away from calcium sulfate because it means she's eating plaster of Paris. The easy answer to that is technically, yes, she is eating the same ingredient found in plaster of Paris. However keep in mind that gypsum is just one of many minerals that does double duty for multiple industries. Calcium sulfate is approved by the FDA as a source for supplemental calcium.

    It's Almost Everywhere

    • It's hard to avoid calcium sulfate in your own diet. The baking industry relies on it to provide supplemental calcium in cereals, baking powder, yeast and enriched flour. If you enjoy a cold beer, your brand may use it to help provide a smoother taste and longer shelf life. Cat food and treats often use calcium sulfate to add calcium to the diet. The mineral also can act as a firming agent, so it may have two jobs to do in Fluffy's treats.

    Healthy Cat Treats

    • Food grade calcium sulfate is a safe mineral for Fluffy -- and you -- to ingest. If you aren't sold on the idea of treats with calcium sulfate, read the label to make sure your choice meets your requirements. The really important thing to remember about treats is that they're just that: treats. WebMD cautions against giving a cat too many treats and notes they shouldn't be more than 10% of Fluffy's diet. Dr. Arnold Plotnick recommends using treats to provide health benefits, such as dental chews, which can serve as a snack for Fluffy as well as a teeth cleaner. If you're still not sure about treats for her, try substituting a little TLC instead of a goody. She -- and her waistline -- will probably be just as happy with extra hands-on attention.