Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells: So ultimately, I’m standing in PetSmart staring at calcium dietary supplements. $forty seven for a bottle that’ll close maybe six weeks. I’m wondering if there might be another way, proper?Then my neighbour mentions eggshells. I literally laughed out loud. You want me to feed my dog trash? But she swears by it. Says her vet recommended it. I’m skeptical but I Google it anyway.
Turns out yeah, dogs can eat eggshells. Been doing it with mine ever since. Saved me probably $300 already. But there’s a catch – you can’t just hand your dog a shell. That’s how you emerge with a vet invoice bigger than what you’d spend on dietary supplements.
Are Eggshells Good for Dogs?
My first strive turned into a catastrophe. I beat up a few shells with my hands, a notion that turned into suitable enough. My Boxer ate them great. An hour later she’s coughing and gagging. I’m freaking out seeking to parent out what’s incorrect.
Turns out those pieces were nonetheless too large.
Scratched up her throat a little. Nothing serious but definitely scared me straight. Now I grind them until they’re basically dust. Can’t even see individual pieces anymore.
And here’s something else I learned – don’t use raw shells. My dog got sick from them once. Threw up all over my carpet at like 2 in the morning. Not fun cleaning that up. Salmonella’s apparently a real thing with raw eggshells. Who knew? Now I boil every batch before grinding. Extra work but beats dealing with a sick dog.
High Calcium Content
My vet showed me X-rays of a dog with calcium deficiency. The bones looked almost transparent compared to normal ones. Kinda freaked me out honestly.
Puppies grow so fast they need tons of calcium. My sister got a Lab puppy last spring. Eight weeks old, already huge. The vet told her to be careful with calcium – too much is bad for big breed puppies but too little is also bad. She ended up using a tiny bit of eggshell powder mixed with what her vet recommended.
Old dogs need it too though. My Golden’s twelve now. Years ago she wouldn’t even try jumping on the couch anymore. Her joints were shot. Started giving her eggshells – not gonna say it’s a miracle cure or anything but she’s definitely moving better. Still jumps up now sometimes.
Pregnant dogs go through calcium like crazy. Makes sense right? Building multiple skeletons inside them. My buddy’s dog had nine puppies. He stated she began eating eggshells day by day for the duration of that time.Benefits of Eggshell Membrane for Joint Health
That weird slimy film stuck to the interior of shells?
Most people throw it away with the shell. I used to. Then I read somewhere it’s got glucosamine in it – same stuff they put in those expensive joint supplements.
I didn’t really believe it would work. But my old dog was limping every morning from arthritis. The vet wanted to put her on prescription meds. I figured why not try the membrane thing first since I’m already doing eggshells anyway.
It took about six weeks before I noticed anything. Then one day she just got up and trotted across the yard. Hadn’t seen her move that fast in months. Still limps sometimes but way better than before.
Peeling that membrane off is annoying as hell though. Gotta do it while the shell’s still wet after boiling or it’s impossible. It takes forever. I do it while binge-watching Netflix now. Makes it less tedious.
Why Calcium Matters for Dogs
Calcium’s not just for bones. I didn’t know that until my vet explained it. It’s involved in everything – heartbeat, muscle movement, even blood clotting.
My cousin had a dog that broke bones constantly. Just from normal play. Turns out he had a calcium problem from being fed a weird homemade diet with no supplements. The poor dog ended up needing surgery on his leg.
Most regular dog food has enough calcium already. But if you’re cooking your dog’s meals from scratch you gotta add it somehow. My friend makes all her dog’s food – chicken, rice, vegetables, the works. Sounds great except she forgot about minerals. Her dog started having problems until the vet figured it out.
Potential Risks & Precautions
Everything’s got downsides. Even free stuff like eggshells.
One time I gave too much. My dog got constipated for almost a week. She was miserable. I felt terrible. Cut the amount way back and she was fine again. Now I’m super careful about measuring.
Kidney stones are possible too if you go overboard with calcium. That’s scary because stones often need surgery. Expensive surgery. So yeah, don’t just dump powder on everything.
Some dogs gain weight from supplements. Not sure why exactly but I’ve seen it happen. One of mine started getting chunky until I cut back on treats and supplements both.
Start with barely anything. Like a pinch. See how your dog does for two weeks minimum. Then maybe increase a tiny bit. Going slow is annoying but safer.
Can Eggshells Really Give Your Dog Salmonella?
This worried me a lot when I started. Everyone talks about salmonella with raw eggs.
Dogs can handle more bacteria than people can. Their stomach acid’s stronger or something. But my dogs are pampered house pets. They’re not used to eating questionable stuff.
I cook everything now.Boil the shells for ten mins whenever. Sometimes I bake them if I’m already using the oven for something else. Two hundred degrees for twenty minutes works.
Farm eggs are supposedly cleaner than kept eggs. My aunt has chickens so I get eggs from her when I go. But I still cook dinner those shells too. Not taking chances.
Risks of Feeding Dogs Eggshells
Choking’s my largest worry. Saw a video once of a dog choking on something. Scared the crap out of me.
Never provide chunks. Never supply pieces. Only powder. That’s the guideline. No exceptions ever.
Upset belly happens on occasion whilst you begin. My Dachshund had diarrhea for 3 days. I think perhaps she has become allergic or something.
Waited a week, tried half the amount. The second time was fine. Her stomach just needed to adjust I guess.
Dogs with kidney problems can’t have extra calcium. Makes their kidneys worse. Heart issues too sometimes. That’s why you really should ask your vet first even though I know most people probably don’t.
How to Safely Prepare Eggshells for Dogs?
Alright, here’s my actual process. Done it probably a hundred times by now.
I save shells in a Tupperware container in the fridge. Every time I cook eggs the shells go in there. When I’ve got ten or twelve I’m ready to process them.
First I rinse them real good under the sink. Get any leftover egg off. Then I boil water, drop them in, set a timer for ten minutes. Sometimes I bake them instead – 200 degrees spread out on a cookie sheet for fifteen to twenty minutes. Both work the same basically.
Let them cool completely. Hot shells don’t grind right. They get weird and sticky.
Then the coffee grinder. It takes maybe thirty seconds to turn them into powder. I bought a separate grinder just for this after my morning coffee tasted weird once. Not making that mistake again.
Store the powder in whatever. I use an old vitamin bottle. Sits in my pantry for months no problem.
Mixing Eggshells with Dog Food
Just sprinkle it on their food. That’s it. Nothing complicated.
Works better mixed into wet food. The powder kinda disappears. With dry kibble it sits on top and my picky dog tries to eat around it. She’s annoying like that.
How much depends on what they’re already eating. My 45-pound mutt gets a teaspoon daily but she eats homemade food with zero calcium in it otherwise. If your dog eats regular kibble you probably need way less. Maybe a quarter teaspoon. Maybe even less.
I do it once a day at dinner. Some people do it twice a week. Haven’t noticed a difference either way honestly.
Suggested Serving Sizes
Small dogs beneath 20 kilos – start with barely something, like 1/8 teaspoon
Medium dogs 20-50 pounds – strive 1/4 or half of teaspoon
Large puppies 50-a hundred kilos – maybe half of to at least one teaspoon
Giant breeds over a hundred kilos – 1 to at least one.Five teaspoons
These are difficult guesses. Every dog’s different. Depends what else they consume, how old they’re, how lively. Start decreasing than you watched. You can usually add extra.
Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
My dogs definitely cross the nuts when I crack an egg.
All three of them swarm the kitchen immediately.
Eggs are a great protein. Good fats. Vitamins. All that. I give them as treats maybe three times a week. Their coats definitely got shinier after I started. Even the groomer noticed.
Just don’t give a bunch. One egg for a medium dog is plenty. Small dogs get half. Big dogs can maybe handle two. But not every day. A few times weekly is enough.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?
People argue about this online constantly. The raw feeding people say it’s totally fine. Regular vets say it’s dangerous. Everyone’s convinced they’re right.
Something in raw egg whites blocks biotin supposedly. But raw yolks have biotin. So theoretically feeding the whole raw egg balances out. That’s what raw feeders claim anyway.
I don’t do it raw. Not worth the risk to me. My Boxer got food poisoning once from something – never figured out what exactly but it was horrible. Now I cook everything. Eggs included.
If you really want to feed raw eggs use fresh farm eggs at least. And definitely feed the whole thing, not just whites. Don’t do it daily either. Maybe once a week tops.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Eggs?
Cooked eggs are way safer. Easier to digest too.
Scrambled, boiled, poached – whatever. Just plain though. No butter, salt, pepper, onions, garlic, nothing. Dogs don’t need seasoning and some stuff’s actually toxic to them.
I keep hard-boiled eggs in my fridge all the time. Perfect training treats. Dogs love them and they’re not super high in calories. Plus my old dog with bad teeth can still eat them soft-boiled.
Scrambled eggs work great mixed into meals. Cook them plain, cool them down, stir them in. Super easy.
How Many Eggs Can a Dog Eat?
I wish I had an exact answer. Don’t though. Too many variables.
My 45-pound mutt could probably eat one egg daily without issues. My sister’s tiny Yorkie? One egg twice weekly max. My friend’s huge German Shepherd? Maybe two or three weekly.
Gotta think about their whole diet. If they’re eating high-protein kibble already eggs should be occasional extras. Too much protein’s hard on kidneys especially in older dogs.
Watch their weight and their poop.If they may be getting fat or having stomach troubles you are giving too much.
Why Feed Your Dog Eggs and Eggshells?
Because it works and prices basically nothing.
One egg’s got around seventy five energy, 6 grams protein, five grams fats.
Decent vitamins. Add the shell for calcium and you’ve got a solid supplement for pennies. Compare that to the forty to sixty bucks monthly I was dropping on supplements before.
My dogs look better. Coats are shinier. Energy’s more consistent. And my old dog moves around easier which is huge.
Plus I like not wasting stuff. Threw shells away for years before this. Now they’re actually useful.
Understand the nutritional value of eggshells
Eggshell consists almost entirely of calcium carbonate. Like 95% or something. The rest is magnesium, phosphorus, and trace stuff. Nothing fancy but it works.
One eggshell’s got roughly 2,000 mg of calcium. That’s actually a lot. A 50-pound dog only needs about 1,000 mg total daily from everything – food, treats, supplements, all of it combined.
That’s why measuring matters. Can’t just eyeball this. I use real measuring spoons and keep track.
Dogs absorb eggshell calcium pretty well. Better than some supplements even. Read that somewhere. Makes sense based on results I’ve seen.
Alternative Sources of Calcium for Dogs
Maybe eggshells aren’t your thing. He is ok.Other options exist.
Raw meaty bones work great. Chicken necks, wings for small dogs. Turkey necks, beef ribs for bigger dogs. Just watch them closely and never ever give cooked bones. Cooked bones splinter and cause internal injuries.
Regular calcium supplements come in pills or powder form. Different types – calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, others. Your vet can tell you which kind’s best.
Some vegetables have calcium. Kale, broccoli, stuff like that. But dogs don’t absorb plant calcium nearly as well as animal calcium. Better than nothing though.
Dairy works too. Plain yogurt, cottage cheese. But tons of dogs can’t handle lactose. Start tiny if you try dairy.
Check out the American Kennel Club website if you want more nutrition info. They’ve got a bunch of articles.
Consultation with Veterinary Professionals
Really should talk to your vet before starting any supplements. I know most people probably skip this step but it’s important.
Dogs with kidney disease can’t have extra calcium. Makes things worse for them. Some heart conditions too. Certain medications don’t mix well with calcium supplements. And breeds that get bladder stones easily – Dalmatians especially – can have more problems with excess calcium.
Your vet knows your dog’s complete medical history. They know what to watch for. They can figure out exactly how much calcium your specific dog needs based on size, age, health, current diet – all of it.
If you’re making homemade dog food, definitely talk to a canine nutritionist. They’ll balance everything, not just calcium. Otherwise you might create deficiencies or excesses without realizing.
Why is Professional Guidance Essential?
Because guessing causes problems. Real ones.
Not enough calcium creates deficiencies. Weak bones, bad teeth, other issues. Too much calcium creates toxicity. Kidney stones, constipation, worse stuff. Finding the right amount means understanding your individual dog.
Puppies need different ratios than adults. Large breed puppies especially – too much calcium makes them grow too fast which causes bone problems that need surgery later.
Sick dogs process calcium differently than healthy ones. Kidney disease dogs need way less. Pregnant dogs need way more.
What they eat matters hugely. Raw-fed dogs get calcium from bones. Kibble-fed dogs get it from their food. Homemade diet dogs usually need supplements added.
Only a vet can look at everything together and give you a safe plan for your specific situation.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat egg shells? Yeah absolutely. When done right they’re great for bones, teeth, joints. That membrane thing even helps with arthritis from what I’ve seen.
But they’re not right for every single dog. Some do great with them. Others have issues. Start slow, watch closely, adjust based on how your dog responds.
Important stuff – cook them thoroughly, grind into fine powder, measure carefully, introduce gradually. Never give whole shells or big pieces ever.
If eggshells don’t work for your dog there’s plenty of other calcium sources available. The end goal is keeping your dog healthy whether that’s with eggshells or something totally different.
Been using eggshells with my three dogs for almost three years now. Stronger bones, better motion, shinier coats. But I turned cautious about it and checked with my vet first.Do the same and your dog will probably benefit too.
1. What happens if dogs eat eggshells?
Eggshells are safe in small amounts — they give calcium and minerals that help bones and teeth.
2. Can you feed dogs raw egg and shell?
Not recommended. Raw eggs can carry bacteria (like salmonella). Always cook before feeding.
3. How to prepare eggshells for dogs?
Wash, boil for 5–10 minutes, dry, then crush into fine powder before mixing with food.
4. Can dogs eat eggshells raw?
Better not — raw shells can have germs. Cook or bake first.
5. Can dogs eat eggs raw?
Avoid raw eggs; cooking kills bacteria and makes nutrients easier to digest.
6. Can dogs eat eggshells every day?
No, only occasionally. Too much calcium can cause health issues.
7. Are crushed eggshells good for dogs?
Yes, when cleaned and ground — they’re a natural calcium source.
8. How often can dogs eat eggshells?
1–2 times a week is enough for most dogs.
9. Can dogs eat eggshells raw or cooked?
Cooked and crushed is best. Avoid raw shells.
10. Can dogs eat eggshells (Reddit)?
Most dog owners say yes, but only in moderation and always cleaned/cooked.
11. How to cook eggshells for dogs?
Boil or bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes, let cool, then crush into powder.