HOW TO CARE FOR THE
VIRGINIA OPOSSUM
Copyright © 2005 - Laura Ledet - All Rights Reserved
THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCING CALCIUM
AND PHOSPHOROUS IN THE DIET :
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Phosphates can be toxic at levels over 1 g per day. Too much phosphate can lead to
diarrhea and calcification (hardening) of organs and soft tissue, and interfere
with the body's ability to use iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
When there is more phosphorus than calcium in the system, the body will draw on the
calcium stored in it’s bones for normal functions. This can lead to reduced bone
mass that makes bones brittle and fragile (MBD), or to gum and tooth problems. Low
calcium to phosphorus ratios (low levels of calcium in relation to levels of
phosphorus) may also increase the risk of high blood pressure and colorectal
cancer. A balance of calcium and phosphorus in foods eaten can help reduce
stress, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis
and other problems that are related to the body's ability to use calcium.
When feeding the opossums in your care, be certain to feed a diet higher in CALCIUM
and lower in PHOSPHOROUS to help prevent MBD and
other issues from developing.
It is believed that they should take in 2-3 times the amount of calcium as they
do phosphorous.
TABLE 1: FOOD ITEMS WITH
IDEAL CALCIUM AND PHOSPHOROUS RATIOS:
(All ratios are based on 1 cup servings of each food item)
Mustard Greens 104mg Cal. - 58mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.8 : 1
Watercress 40mg Cal. - 20mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2 : 1
Chard 102mg Cal. - 58mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.7 : 1
Endive 23mg Cal. - 14mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.6 : 1
Green Leaf Lettuce 28mg Cal. - 14mgPhos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2 : 1
Blackberries 46mg Cal. - 30mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.5 : 1
Raspberries 27mg Cal. - 15mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.8 : 1
Spinach
(note: only 1/3 of calcium is absorbable)
56mg Cal. - 28mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2 : 1
TABLE 2: FOOD ITEMS WITH HIGH CALCIUM TO PHOSPHOROUS RATIOS:
(All ratios are based on 1 cup servings of each food item)
Kale 98mg Cal. - 36mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2.7 : 1
Beet Greens 164mg Cal. - 58mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2.8 : 1
Chinese Cabbage 74mg Cal. - 26mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2.8 : 1
Dandelion Greens 104mg Cal. - 36mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 2.9 : 1
Parsley 78mg 24mg Cal. - 3.2 Phos.
Turnip Greens 106mg Cal. - 24mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 4.4 : 1
Papaya 72mg Cal. - 16mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 4.5 : 1
Yellow Wax Beans 174mg Cal. - 34mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 5 : 1
Collards (Cooked) 148mg Cal. - 19mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 7.8 : 1
TABLE 3: FOOD ITEMS WITH MODERATE CALCIUM TO PHOSPHOROUS RATIOS:
(All ratios are based on 1 cup servings of each food item)
Grapes 13mg Cal. - 9mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.4 : 1
Cabbage 46mg 34mg Cal. - 1mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 3 : 1
Turnips 36mg Cal. - 30mg Phos..
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.2 : 1
Radish 24mg Cal. - 20mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.2 : 1
Green beans 58mg Cal. - 48mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.2 : 1
Okra 100mg Cal. 90mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.1 : 1
Eggplant 30mg Cal. - 26mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1.1 : 1
Apples 10mg Cal. - 10mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1
Lettuce (iceburg) 16mg Cal. - 16mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1
Pineapple 11mg Cal. - 11mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1
TABLE 4: FOOD ITEMS WITH POOR CALCIUM TO PHOSPHROUS RATIOS:
Pears 15mg Cal. - 18mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.2
Rutabaga 72mg Cal. - 84mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.2
Cherries 10mg Cal. - 13mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.3
Cucumber 14mg Cal. - 18mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.3
Strawberries 42mg Cal. - 56mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.3
Guavas 18mg Cal. - 23mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.3
Apricots 15mg Cal. - 21mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.4
Beets 18mg Cal. - 26mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.4
Cantaloupe 17mg Cal. - 27mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.6
Blueberries 18mg Cal. - 30mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.6
Cauliflower 28mg Cal. - 46mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.6
Brussels sprouts 56mg Cal. - 88mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.6
Squash (all varieties) 26mg Cal. - 46mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.7
Parsnips 58mg Cal. - 108mg Phos.
Cal. and Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.9
Sweet potato 64mg Cal. = 124mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 1.9
Pumpkin 36mg Cal. - 74mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 2.1
Peaches 5mg Cal. - 11mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 2.2
Carrots 28mg Cal. - 64mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 2.3
Asparagus 44mg Cal. - 108mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 2.5
Banana 7mg Cal. - 22mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 3.1
Plums 4mg Cal. - 14mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 3.5
Yams 18mg Cal. - 66mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 3.6
Tomato 16mg Cal. - 58mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 3.6
Peas 38mg Cal. - 168mg Phos.
Cal. to Phos. Ratio: 1 : 4.4
Corn 10mg Cal. - 120mg Phos.
Cal to Phos Ratio: 1 : 12
Mushroom 4mg Cal. - 72mg Phos.
Cal to Phos Ratio: 1 : 18
HERE ARE SOME OTHER FOOD VALUES.
THE RATIO'S WERE NOT AVAILABLE:
THE FOLLOWING ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
Celery: Although I do not have the exact ratio statistics, celery is reported on
several websites as containing 2 - 3 times more calcium then phosphorous.
Zucchini (1 cup) 20mg Cal. - 42mg Phos.
Mushroom 4mg Cal. - 36mg Phos.
Kiwi 40mg Cal. - 62mg Phos.
Persimmon (1) 13mg Cal. - 28mg Phos.
Avocado 33mg Cal. - 119mg Phos.
Sweet Peppers 6mg Cal. - 22mg Phos
Cranberries 7mg Cal. - 8mg Phos
Turnip Greens 53mg Cal. - 12mg Phos.
Turnips 36mg Cal. - 38mg Phos.
Figs (1) 18mg Cal. - 7mg Phos.
Orange (med) 48mg Cal. - 21mg Phos.
Prickly Pear 58mg Cal. - 23mg Phos.
Papaya (1) 72mg Cal. - 16mg Phos.
Raw Collards (1 cup) 52mg Cal. - 3.6mg Phos.
Apple (1 med) 29mg Cal. - 8mg Phos.
Amaranth (1 cup) 138mg Cal. - 47 Phos.
Poultry: Contains 10 times the amount of phosphorous then it does calcium. Make sure to compensate for this by serving calcium rich foods to go along with it.
Red Meat: Contains 20 times the amount of phosphorous then it does calcium.
I do not feed red meat to my opossums and that is one of the main reasons.
Low fat Mozzerella:
Yogurt:
Ricotta Cheese:
******. None of these foods are unhealthy in and of themselves. It is what we pair them up with
that can make for an unhealthy situation for the opossum.
REMEMBER!! Make sure your serving foods appx twice as high in
calcium then in phosphorous at each meal.
MEDICAL / ANATOMY
