This past Easter, Joe got into some eggs. He ate the entire egg, including the eggshell! After freaking out for a bit about whether my dog was going to choke, I decided to look up if eggs were bad for them. It turns out that eggs are a good source of protein for dogs. But, can dogs eat eggshells? Stay tuned to find out …
Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells?
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I call Joe the doggy vacuum cleaner. Whenever something drops onto the ground, we yell “JOE!” and he comes running. And, surprisingly, he eats almost everything. (Or maybe I shouldn’t be surprised at all.)
The other day, he got into some eggs, the entire cooked egg including the eggshell, that I was prepping for Easter eggs. Good thing he didn’t eat any of the finished (dyed) eggs. Or the dye. I’m pretty sure that the food dye is safe … because, you know, kids … but that doesn’t mean I want to risk it.
(In case you are wondering, Joe pooped out the eggshells just fine.)
The Short Answer: Yes, Eggs (Including the Shells) Are Okay For Dogs
Most dogs and cats can tolerate eggs, but, just like humans, some have an allergy. And, just like in humans, eggs have great health benefits … including that they are great source of protein! This shouldn’t be a surprise, because humans can eat eggs for a protein source, too. I found out that dogs and humans are similar in a lot of ways, including that you can use the same medicine, like insulin, for animals.
Eggshells are like bones, and they have lots of calcium and phosphorous. And those things are good for healthy teeth and bones and stuff. Which means Joe knew exactly what he was doing. He’s so healthy.
Eggshell Powder
Another way that doggies can eat eggshells is if you grind them up with a Ninja or NutraBullet. Just like in our food, though, make sure you get organic, farm-fresh stuff because eggs can come from bad, stinky places. I think they even bleach the eggs in commercial operations – that kills lots of bacteria and other nasties like salmonella.
You can keep refrigerated for about two months. You can add it directly to their food or put it in some kind of treat.
I’ve also read that calcium is a great thing for dogs with kidney disease, but please double check that with a veterinarian.
A Good Egg
Another way to give dogs eggs, including the eggshell, is to give them the whole egg. Let them decide what to eat. Some dogs will eat the entire thing (just like Joe) or some dogs will want you to crush up the shells. For me, I plan on doing up some different recipes for him. I can cook an egg in the microwave inside of a bowl, so I don’t have to fry it, and maybe put crushed up shells in it like that. Or, I will sprinkle it on his food. Or maybe give him some softer food. Sometimes, I will cook up some brown rice for him because he loves cooked brown rice. He also likes his veggies like this.
Sometimes, I also give Joe some ground chicken. This is not the pre-made ground chicken that you buy in the store. It’s chicken that I boil. The grocery store sells chicken livers for like $1 sometimes. You can get an entire plastic container of them. They are great to boil and chop. And this would be a great way to enjoy some crushed eggshells. (I also sneak in some stuff like shredded zucchini for added nutrients).
Final Thoughts on Eggshells For Dogs
Would you feed your dog eggshells? How do you give it to your doggo? Let me know in the comments!