Subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) has been linked to other fresh cow metabolic disorders and many practices have been used to prevent the postpartum drop in circulating Ca. Both low Ca diets and acidogenic diets with negative dietary cation-anion differences (DCAD) to prime Ca homeostasis are common strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of 3 close-up dry cow dietary strategies on concentrations in blood of Ca and other minerals as well as metabolites associated with energy status in multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 81) through the transition period. Cows were assigned to 1 of 3 treatments during the close-up dry period (−28 d to calving): (1) a positive DCAD diet with low dietary Ca (0.4%DM; CON); (2) a fully acidified DCAD diet (urine pH 5.7) with low dietary Ca (0.4%DM; LOW); or (3) a fully acidified DCAD diet (urine pH 5.7) with high dietary Ca (2.0%DM; HIGH). An iSTAT (Abbott, Princeton, NJ) was used to analyze ionized Ca concentrations (iCa) in whole blood within 1 h (±1 h), 24 h, 48 h, and 4 d after calving. The iCa concentration was considered a risk for SCH if <1.0 mmol/L. Plasma BHB and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were determined at calving, 24 h, 48 h, and 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d postpartum. If BHB values were >1.0 mmol/L at 24 h after calving the cow was diagnosed with subclinical ketosis (SCK). The MIXED procedure in SAS was used to contrast: (1) CON vs the average of LOW and HIGH; and (2) LOW vs HIGH. Cows fed LOW or HIGH had greater iCa at calving (1.10 and 1.11 mmol/L) and 24 h postpartum (1.11 and 1.05 mmol/L) when compared with cows given CON (0.98 mmol/L; P < 0.01). Inversely, postpartum BHB was lower in cows fed LOW or HIGH (0.91 and 0.88 mmol/L) compared with cows given CON (1.47 mmol/L; P < 0.01). Postpartum plasma NEFA concentrations did not differ among treatments. Cows receiving CON had greater occurrence of SCH and SCK based on iCa and BHB, which could increase the risk for clinical disorders and decrease production. Dietary Ca content of prepartum acidogenic diets did not affect these variables.