Can Dogs Have Egg Shell?10 min read

Last Updated on March 30, 2025 by Falcone Dulce

As pet parents, we are constantly striving to offer the greatest nourishment for our animal friends. One recurring question is- can dogs have egg shell? The good news is that eggshells are a safe and nutritious supplement to your dog’s diet, but correct preparation is required.

Can Dogs Have Egg Shell? An Overall Look

Many dog owners often wonder, ‘Can dogs have egg shell?‘ This question arises due to tons of information suggesting that dogs may not thrive without the nutrients found in eggshells. From the perspective of nutrition, eggshells are a natural source of nutrition for dogs and include key elements. However, feeding dogs eggshells is not as straightforward as it may seem; there are many important details to consider. In this post, we will look at the health benefits, methods of preparation, and potential concerns of giving eggshells to dogs.

Nutritional Value of Eggshells

Eggshells are an excellent and frequently overlooked source of nourishment for dogs. They contain a lot of calcium carbonate and provide a sufficient amount of calcium, a critical mineral required for strong bones and healthy teeth.

Calcium: The Foundation of Bone Health

Dogs of all ages require calcium, but its importance spikes during growth phases and with older dogs. Here are multiple reasons why calcium is fundamental to your dog’s health.

• Bone Development: Puppies need calcium for skeletal system development. Achieving adequate calcium intake helps promote bone health which, in turn, is effective in reducing the chances of the bone suffering fractures and developing disorders.
• Bone Maintenance: Calcium intake is essential in maintaining strength and bone density in older and adult dogs. With ageing, there is a natural decline in bone density which makes dogs susceptible to trauma and illnesses like osteoporosis. Calcium intake, taken regularly, can help mitigate the effects osteoporosis has on dogs.
• Dental Health: Calcium is critical for dental health. It is helpful in making teeth stronger and keeps an ideal jaw shape which minimises dental issues that are painful and can even result in tooth loss.

Additional Essential Minerals

On top of calcium, eggshells also contain other essential minerals which help to boost overall health: 

• Phosphorus: Together with calcium, this mineral helps to strengthen one’s bones and teeth. It also plays a critical role in providing energy, aiding in cell repair, and DNA and RNA synthesis. Optimal health is greatly influenced by the ratio of calcium to phosphorus, and so a calcium phosphate ratio is recommended to be between 1:1-2:1.
• Magnesium: Magnesium is actively engaged in several metabolic processes in the body like muscle movement and nerve functions. It helps in energy production and manages calcium levels to ensure that a dog’s bones and teeth are healthy.

Collagen: Support for Joint Health

Eggshells have some characteristics that make them not so popular, but valuable assets because of their collagen content. Collagen is a protein that forms cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, which are important for joints, making collagen essential for one’s health. Here’s why this is so important for dogs.

• Joint Function: Collagen ensures that relevant cushioning and support are provided to the joint tissues. This is highly beneficial for active dogs or even those who face joint issues due to their age or breeding.
• Reducing Joint Pain: Including eggshells in the diet periodically will greatly assist with joint pain and stiffness, and will in turn enable elderly dogs to move with ease. Improved mobility makes it easier for them to perform their daily activities.
• Support for Recovery: Collagen can enhance a dog’s rehabilitation from injuries or surgeries by improving the repair of connective tissues.

Safety Concerns

Even with appealing nutrients, eggshells can be detrimental when not handled carefully. There is a risk of raw eggshells carrying dangerous bacteria like Salmonella that can infect both dogs and humans.

Risks of Raw Eggshells

Raw eggshells run the risk of being infected with Salmonella, an illness that is both common and can cause serious harm. Infection from Salmonella can result in various health issues such as:

• Symptoms in Dogs: Generally present as vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. A dog suffering from these symptoms will require immediate consultation with a veterinarian without delay.
• Risks to Humans: People who own pets may become unwell if uncooked eggshells are handled. Contaminated surfaces or food can result in Salmonella infection, and the sick individual will experience similar bowel issues as the pets.

Preparing Eggshells Safely

Proper preparation for your dog’s meal ensures appropriate safety considerations are taken into account, thus resulting in maximum nutrition being gained. Here’s an in-depth outline on how you can prepare eggshells for pets in a safe manner.

Consultation with Veterinarian

The first step that one must take when determining whether or not to add eggshells into the diet of your dog is to consult your veterinarian who will advise you depending on certain factors. Also, as for eggshells, your dog’s health condition will be assessed with particular concern on problems like kidney failure, allergies and so on. Age and size need to be taken into consideration as puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs have different nutritional needs. At the end of it all, the doctor will analyse your dog’s diet and how he or she can introduce eggshells in a manner that does not create any nutritional shortcomings.

Safe Preparation Methods

Thorough Cleaning

The first step of eggshell preparation is cleaning and this is very important to make sure there are no bacteria remaining on the surface. Begin by rinsing the eggshells under warm running water to remove dirt or debris; scrub the surface lightly with a brush as necessary. For extra safety, wash the eggshells running water with mild dish soap, and rinse them thoroughly until no soap remains.

Boiling

Escalon directs you to boil the eggshells, which is an important step to kill any harmful microorganisms (like salmonella). To do so, fill a pot with enough water to completely cover the eggshells, and bring to a rolling boil. When the water is boiling, gently put the cleaned eggshells into the pot and bring it to a boil for approximately 10 minutes. The high heat will kill off most of the germs, so the eggshells are safe to use on the plants.

Baking

To ensure that all bacteria were eliminated, the boiled eggshells go through baking as well. To begin, turn on the oven to 300°F (150°C) and allow it to heat while preparing the eggshells. Once the shells are ready, put them onto a baking sheet and then place them into the oven for 10 minutes. During this time, the remaining bacteria on the eggshells will die.

Grinding

Since using whole eggshells may create a risk of choking, it is best to grind them into fine powder for easier digestion. The eggshells may be added to a food processor or finely ground in a mortar and pestle. After grinding, transfer the eggshells into an airtight container and store in a cool dry place to maintain their quality and protect from moisture.

Incorporating Eggshells into Dog’s Diet

If you’ve safely processed eggshells, adding them to your dog’s diet can be a great way to enhance its nutrients. Here’s one way to do it, step by step.

Introducing Eggshell Powder

Starting Slowly

When introducing eggshell powder into your dog’s diet, it is always a good idea to start small and gradually increase the amount over time to give your dog’s digestive system time to adapt to the new ingredient. Start with a small quantity, generally a pinch of eggshell powder (approximately 1/8 teaspoon) per meal, worked up to, as needed, which is usually adequate for small to medium dogs. For the higher doses for bigger dogs, you can look at a slightly higher starting dose but keep that minimum. Add the powdered eggshell to the appropriate mix of your dog food, adjusting to ensure even distribution into either wet meals or dry ones.

Gradual Increase

After starting with eggshell powder, you want to incrementally introduce more as time goes on. In order to make this addition safely, add only a small increment every few days, such as making that an additional 1/8 teaspoon, and monitor your dog’s reaction closely. Look for any signs of digestive distress, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite. If you observe negative reactions, lower the dosage or stop the treatment and contact your veterinarian for advice.

Balanced Diet Considerations

Nutritional Balance

Not to mention—if you’re adding eggshells to your dog’s diet, you have to keep dietary balance in check. Eggshell powder is high in calcium, which promotes bones and teeth, but an excess of calcium supplements increases health risks such as kidney problems and bone deformities. For this reason, you must make sure your overall calcium intake, from all sources, is in ranges (for your age, weight, and health) you should be aiming for. Consultations with your veterinarian are recommended to outline your dog nutritional needs, calcium included, contingent on your pet’s diet and lifestyle.

Creative Ways to Serve

You can make eggshell powder more palatable for your dog by doing any of the following: You can, for example, incorporate eggshell powder into your homemade dog treat recipes, making them healthy and very attractive to further increase palatability. There are also homemade dog food recipes wherein the eggshell powder can be incorporated and impart extra benefits to your dog without changing the flavor of what they eat. This is a great way for your dog to reap the benefits of eggshell powder in a delicious and fun format.

Potential Risks and Precautions

Although eggshells are beneficial, they come with some risks. One concern is the danger of bacterial contamination, since improperly prepared eggshells may contain pathogenic microorganisms, making it important to clean and cook them properly. However, too much calcium from eating too many eggshells can cause problems like constipation or kidney stones. So always start with small amounts and use it up or down as necessary. Finally, if your dog tends to be overweight, consider leaving eggshells out of its diet, as they may lead to increased total calorie consumption.

Final Thoughts

Can dogs have eggshell? The answer is yes, but with caveats that deserve special attention. As long as your dog is served eggshells properly, it can be a safe and convenient addition to their diet. They offer a natural source of calcium and essential minerals along with benefits to your dog. Always check with your vet before changing your pet’s diet, and remember to prepare eggshells properly. When done correctly (with moderation), eggshells can be beneficial to your fur baby’s diet. If you are interested to others similar questions such as ‘Can dogs eat raw chicken?‘ ‘What does dog side eye mean?‘, you are welcome to explore in our dog section.

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