Can Dogs Eat Eggshells?

Although dogs are now our gentle pets, they used to be wild wolves before becoming domesticated. To survive, our pets’ ancestors had fought to survive. Each day was a struggle to survive. To survive, you had to eat anything.

Can dogs eat eggshells? Dogs can eat eggshells. Eggshells provide a wealth of nutrients, including calcium, amino acids, and vitamins. Eggshells can be beneficial for dogs if they are given in moderation.

Related – Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

EggShells for Dogs – Benefits

It’s understandable that your instinct was to think dogs couldn’t eat eggshells. It is not considered edible, however, that the eggshell is often used as a cover. It is edible, in fact. Consider adding shells to the dog’s diet.

Strong Bones, Strong Teeth

Eggshells are an important source of calcium. Although milk is the most popular source of calcium, eggs can also be a good source.

The majority of eggshells are made up of calcium carbonate or CaCO3 (source). This is an important nutrient for bone health.

Powdered eggshells, which are rich in calcium, are used in arthritis treatments (source). Eggshells used to be the only ingredient in the canine arthritic medication.

Drug companies are now marketing eggshell membranes as their product.

The eggshell membrane is a thin, clear substance that lines eggshells. It’s the slimy, mucus-like substance that remains in an eggshell after you crack it.

Although it might not look appealing, it is a rich source of nutrients. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement by both dogs and humans.

Canine arthritis symptoms can be eased by eggshell membranes. This claim is supported by a source study. Researchers conducted a double-blind study in 2015 on eggshell membranes.

For six weeks, 51 dogs were given eggshell membranes daily for six weeks by the researchers. The membranes had a significant effect on joint pain in the dogs, according to the researchers. Dogs enjoyed a better quality of life thanks to the supplement.

Even if your dog does not have arthritis, eggshells can still be beneficial to them. Young dogs with calcium-fortified bones are less likely to have aging issues.

Calcium benefits more than just the bones. Calcium is a big benefit for the teeth. Calcium found in chicken eggshells can help maintain your dog’s healthy teeth.

Periodontal disease is a common problem according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Experts believe that by the age of three years, 80% of dogs will have signs and symptoms of periodontal disease (source). Canine periodontal disease can cause severe pain and even death.

Raw diets for dogs are praised by many people. This diet is often followed by dog owners who give their dogs animal bones to get calcium.

Eggshells are a safer alternative to feeding your dog animal bones.

Amino Acids

However, it’s not just about teeth and bones. Amino acids are found in eggshells. Protein gets more attention than amino acids. Protein is often associated with building muscle. But amino acids are not.

While protein is essential for muscle growth, amino acids are just as important. What food sources can you feed your dog amino acids, and why? Eggshells.

To stay healthy, domestic dogs need 10 amino acids ( Purina). These are the amino acids:

Arginine
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

Eight of the essential amino acids are found in chicken eggshells. It’s a great source of amino acids, containing 80% of the required. Arginine is the most abundant amino acid in eggshells. Leucine, Lysine, and Leucine are close behind.

Arginine has been proven to be beneficial for heart health. Arginine acts as a vasodilator. It dilates blood vessels.

It has been shown to lower blood pressure ( source).

Meanwhile, Leucine is essential in non-human diets. Animals do not have the ability to make their own Leucine, so they must have it.

Meats, eggs, and the shells! Leucine is abundant in meats and eggs (and the shells!). This amino acid has been shown slow down the degrading of muscle ( source).

Lysine, another essential amino acid, is also available. Studies have shown that Lysine may lower blood sugar through its special applications.

This is especially useful for dogs with diabetes. Anemia and deficient connective tissue can be caused by a lack of lysine (source ).

Additional Benefits
Your dog’s immunity system can be improved by eating eggshells. Nobody wants their furry friend to feel sick.

Vitamin E and magnesium are found in eggshells. These can boost a dog’s immune system. These are some of the potential benefits that your dog could reap.

Vuong and his colleagues discovered that avian eggs shells are anti-inflammatory in 2017. Researchers studied the powdered eggshell membranes of chicken eggs.

They concluded that eggshells had anti-inflammatory properties, making them a promising ingredient for wound treatment (source).

Another study looked at the effects of dietary eggshell membranes. The recovery time for exercise-induced joint stiffness or pain was reduced by using powdered eggshell membranes ( source).

These two studies were done on humans. Research on dogs is not a common area of funding.

These benefits could or might not be transferred to your dog. Talk to your veterinarian for more information.

Vitamin E can also be used as an antioxidant (source). Vitamin E can reduce the effects of aging. Vitamin E can prevent cognitive decline in senior dogs. As your dog ages, this will help to maintain his quality of life.

Vitamin E can be found in eggshells as well as in many senior dog food products (source). Vitamin E is an essential vitamin for the production of fur.

Eggshells are a great way to keep your dog’s hair shiny and healthy. This will keep your dog looking and feeling great.

Eggshells also have the following nutrients:

Folic acid – aids in the formation of strong cells
Vitamin B6 – Aids brain development
Strontium – Can prevent bone loss
Fluoride – Strong teeth
Selenium – Used to protect cells from cell damage
How to Feed your Dog an Entire Egg

A dog can be fed a whole egg or just the shell. You can make it as comfortable for you as possible.

It’s best to give your dog a hardboiled egg if you want him to enjoy the full eggs. Only boil the egg for 3 to 5 minutes.

Avoid overcooking eggs when boiling them. If necessary, set a timer. Eggs can be overcooked and cause damage to the nutrients. This would ultimately defeat the whole purpose.

You can only check for overcooking by inspecting the inside of the egg ( source). A properly cooked hard-boiled egg should have a yellow center when it is halved. It’s likely that the center is overcooked if it turns green.

After you are certain that the egg has been cooked, crack the shell ( source). Lightly crack the egg in a bowl or on another surface. The shell doesn’t need to be removed; the egg should be cracked on all sides to make it safe for your dog.

You can also feed your dog the shell and egg separately. It is possible to cook the egg separately and serve it with the shells at different times. There are no steadfast rules. Each part of an egg has nutritional value.

Your dog may love scrambled eggs, but the toppings and butter do not pose any benefits for him.

These can be left out of the dog’s diet. You can make your dog’s food as healthy as possible by removing as many additives as you can ( source).

According to recent health trends, humans should only eat egg yolks. However, your dog is not trying to lower his cholesterol. He doesn’t have to be afraid of eating egg yolks.

Dogs should be allowed to eat all parts of an egg, not just the whites. The yolk contains all the nutrients that your dog needs, and not just the whites ( source).

Cooking eggshells for dogs? This video is available:

How to Feed your Dog an Eggshell

You don’t have to give your dog the whole egg. The eggshells can be enough if you don’t want to give your dog whole eggs. There are several ways you can serve eggshells to your pet.

You can save the shells if you prepare your own breakfast. Are you able to buy organic eggs? If you do, then the eggs are ready for your dog to consume as-is ( source).

You will have to boil the shells if you do not choose organic eggs. The shells of commercial eggs are contaminated with bacteria and other pathogens.

Raw eggs should not be eaten by humans. Organic eggshells can be cooked, but it is best to eat them raw.

Any pathogens that cause illness should be killed by boiling the eggshells. Boiling just one eggshell can feel excessive. Instead, save shells from multiple breakfasts and boil them all at once.

After they have been boiled, the eggshells can be eaten by your dog. You can give the shell pieces as a treat, or you can have them with a meal.

Some owners make dog food out of shell pieces. Some owners simply give the dog the shell to eat.

Your dog might not like shell pieces, which is understandable. You can still give your dog the nutritional benefits of eggshells by making them into powder.

Make sure to boil or wash your eggshells before you start making powder. It takes only 10 minutes to boil eggs.

Let them dry overnight in a safe place. Ensure your dog is not allowed to touch the shells until they dry.

You can speed up the turnaround by placing your shell pieces on a baking tray and drying them in the oven.

An oven temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit is sufficient to cook for 15 minutes. To prevent them from burning, keep an eye on the shells.

Consider what you have at hand to help you grind your shells into a fine powder. You can use a blender, food processor, coffee grinder, or food processor. It is important to grind the pieces evenly.

You can also manually use a mortar-and-pestle to get the job done. You can also put the shells into a Ziploc bag, and then crush them with a rolling mill. These methods will save you the hassle of cleaning an appliance later.

Add the shell powder to your dog’s regular food once you have it. Mix the powder well with the food if you don’t want your dog to become irritated by the sight. Dogs are not picky.

You can make more power than you need and save the rest for later. If sprinkled sparingly, a few eggs shells can last several weeks. It can be added to your meals as well.

Eggshell eating by dogs can pose a danger to their health

As you can see, eggshells are not without danger. It’s like most foods, there is a risk/benefit analysis. If you choose to take this step for your dog, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.

Avoiding a Biotin Deficiency

Your dog should eat all parts of an egg, as we have already mentioned. Egg whites can be a healthy choice for humans but not for pets.

Egg whites are rich in enzyme inhibitors that bind with biotin. These inhibitors can lead to a biotin shortage. Biotin is essential for healthy thyroid function, digestion, skin health, and good skin.

Dogs that are deficient in biotin can experience energy problems, hair loss, and reduced growth rates.

How can you prevent deficiency of biotin by eating the whole egg? The yolk of an egg contains a lot of biotins.

This helps to counteract the enzyme inhibitors in the egg white. It is microbiologic teamwork, basically.

You should not separate the egg for your dog if you have to. Only feed your dog the yolk and not the white. The yellow center of eggs is a nutritional goldmine.

It is important to remember that one egg white does not give your dog a deficiency in biotin. This problem is caused by the regular consumption of egg whites. Egg whites, like all things in life, should be enjoyed in moderation.

Foodborne illness: Risk

Salmonella can also be a problem in chicken eggs. Salmonella can pose a serious threat to humans ( source).

Salmonella can be found in chicken eggs and eggshells. When eggs are laid, eggshells can be infected by things like chicken droppings. Although it is unpleasant, you should consider the place chicken eggs end up once they are laid.

Salmonella is rare in dogs. According to a 2017 study done by the CDC ( Source), salmonella cases in dogs are declining every year.

However, for susceptible animals, salmonella can be devastating. Salmonella can be fatal to dogs with previous medical conditions. The infection can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs for up to 7 to 12 days.

How severe a salmonella infection depends on how many bacteria were ingested. Avoiding it is the best thing. Salmonella infection can be minimized by cooking the egg and shell.

Avoiding Excessive Calories

Too many good things can happen with eggs as well as all foods. Shells and eggs should be an addition to your dog’s daily diet (source). Eggs can quickly add weight.

The number of calories your dog needs daily will depend on how much weight they have. A 50-pound dog will need 700 to 900 calories per day. A smaller dog requires even fewer calories.

A small egg contains only 70 calories. A jumbo egg is 90 calories. This is a snack for a human. This is 10% of the daily caloric intake for a dog of 50 pounds. It can be easy for small dogs to exceed their daily caloric requirements.

Although your dog might not mind extra food, the vet will notice. If you are not sure about your dog’s caloric requirements, consult your veterinarian.

You can keep your dog from eating too many eggs. You should consider full eggs a treat “occasionally”. Do not be smitten by puppy dog eyes!

Related: What should you do if your dog ate fish? This guide will help you determine if fish is toxic to dogs.

Conclusion

Eggs are a staple breakfast item for humans. Eggs are inexpensive and simple to prepare.

There are many ways to enjoy eggs. They are also a good source of nutrients.

Eggs and their shells can be a wonderful addition to any dog’s food. You can either eat the shells as a whole egg or grind them into a powder.

You can feed your dog eggshells, no matter what method. They have many health benefits and your dog will enjoy them.