Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells?
Yes, dogs can eat egg shells in moderation. These are not only safe but also good for dogs and can make a healthy addition to a dog’s diet. Egg shells are a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients that are beneficial to a dog’s health contain calcium, which is an essential mineral that dogs need in specific amounts to help them build and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
Egg shells can be fed raw, cooked, or ground in powder form and sprinkled over your dog’s food. The following are the nutritional benefits of feeding egg shells to dogs:
- They are super-rich in calcium which dogs need to build strong bones and teeth. It’s also great for enhancing joint health, improving blood clotting, promoting heart and muscle health, and boosting the immune system.
- Egg shells contain vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant to keep a dog’s coat and skin glowing. It’s also important for the cognitive health of dogs.
- Amino acids: These are necessary for proper muscle growth, heart health, as well as lower blood pressure and sugar levels.
- Phosphorus: This mineral is beneficial for healthy kidney and heart functions plus repair of dogs’ cells.
- Other beneficial nutrients: Egg shells also contain small amounts of nutrients like selenium, folic acid, and vitamin B6 which play important roles in supporting the overall health of dogs.
However, excessive feeding of egg shells is not advisable as it can lead to nutrient deficiency. Additionally, broken egg shells have sharp edges which can damage and cause injury to a dog’s throat or digestive tract if swallowed. Feeding raw eggshells also put dogs at risk of contracting salmonella infection. It’s thus important to observe moderation when feeding eggshells to your dog.
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Ground Egg Shells
Giving whole eggshells is not a good idea as dogs may be unable to digest them. While dogs can gobble down whole eggs including the shells, they wouldn’t break down in the dog’s digestive system. You’ll see white specks in their stool if eaten as a whole because the dog’s body isn’t able to digest the hard shell completely. It’s thus important to grind the shells before feeding to enhance digestibility.
Can dogs eat ground eggshells safely?
Yes, dogs can eat ground eggshells safely without any adverse effects. Grinding the eggshells before feeding them to dogs makes them easier to digest and enhances calcium and protein absorption as well as other vital nutrients.
Additionally, grinding will help avoid any pieces of shells getting stuck in the throat or digestive tract of dogs and causing injury.
Powdered Egg Shells
The best way to feed eggshells to dogs is to give them in powder form. Besides, the powder can be easily added to your dog’s food. If you decide to feed your dog powdered eggshells, ensure you opt for organic eggs rather than the bleached white eggs from the grocery stores.
Can dogs eat powdered eggshells safely?
Absolutely. Feeding this in powder form promotes the ability of your dog’s digestive tract to absorb vital nutrients including calcium, phosphorus, proteins, and others from the eggshells.
If your dog does not find eggshells appealing, you can mix the powdered form into their food as a way of meeting their calcium needs. What’s more, making the eggshells into powdered form enhances their digestibility and avoids the risk of injury to the dog’s digestive tract.
You can use a food processor or blender to grind the shares into powder and store them in airtight containers for future use. Powdered eggshells should be fed in moderation to avoid health issues.
Raw Egg Shells
Raw egg shells may be contaminated with salmonella bacteria which can cause salmonella infection in dogs. While this is uncommon, there’s still a chance that it can happen thus posing health risks to dogs.
Can dogs eat raw eggshells safely?
No, raw eggshells may carry salmonella bacteria which puts dogs at risk of contracting salmonella infection. Boiling the eggshells can help kill the bacteria and make it safer for dogs.
Symptoms of salmonella infection in dogs include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and low activity levels. The severity of salmonella infection depends
How to prepare Egg Shells for dogs?
In order for dogs to reap maximum nutritional benefits from eggshells, they must be prepared and offered in the right way. You can feed eggshells raw or cooked.
If you decide to feed raw eggshells to your dog, it’s best to go for those from organic eggs as they do not contain harmful chemicals or bleaches. Ensure that you properly wash the eggshells and break them into small pieces while feeding raw eggshells to dogs.
You can also make eggshells into powder form. This is the best way to offer this to dogs. This form enhances digestibility and absorption of nutrients. To make powdered eggshells, boil the shells and allow them to dry. Then, use a blender or food processor to grind them. The powdered eggshells can be easily mixed with your dog food.
What Else Can Else Eat together with Egg Shells?
These are some foods that you can feed to your dog together with eggshells;
Beans: Certain types of beans are safe for dogs to consume as occasional treats as long as they are given in moderation. These are not only excellent sources of nutrition but can also go very well with eggshells.
Beans contain a variety of beneficial nutrients including proteins, minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, as well as vitamins like A, C, and K. These nutrients can help dogs’ overall health and wellbeing. Some of the dog-friendly beans that you can feed your dog include lima, garbanzo, black, pinto, and kidney beans.
Dogs can reap the following health benefits from beans:
- Improved metabolism
- Better heart and eye health
- Reduced inflammations
- Healthy blood production and clotting
- Reduced cholesterol levels
- Better immune health
However, beans should only be fed in moderation as they cause excessive gassiness, bloating, and flatulence if fed in large amounts.
Broccoli: Broccoli is safe for dogs to consume, whether raw or cooked, as long as no additives are included. Broccoli is high in nutrients that support the overall health of dogs when consumed in moderation.
Some of the nutritional advantages of feeding broccoli to dogs include:
- It’s loaded with lutein in addition to other antioxidants, which are great for reducing inflammation and promoting eye and heart health.
- It has folic acid that’s helpful in the formation and maintenance of healthy body cells.
- Broccoli is rich in fiber which aids digestion and aids in weight management.
- Loaded with minerals like magnesium, chromium, potassium, and sodium, which dogs require for healthy bones, muscles, and nervous system functioning.
- Rich in vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, which help with vision, skin and coat health, immune function, bone health and density, blood clotting, and overall health.
Due to its high fiber content, broccoli should be fed in small amounts to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach. Broccoli florets also contain isothiocyanates which can cause severe gastric irritation in large amounts.
Rice: You can mix ground eggshells with rice that’s cooked plain without additives such as oil, seasonings, or spices. Rice is a good source of easily digestible carbohydrates. These are crucial for energy supply and fueling dogs’ activities. Rice is highly and often recommended for the treatment of stomach upsets, including mild diarrhea, due to its digestibility and low fiber content.
Rice is safe to feed to dogs in moderation. Dogs can eat plain-cooked rice that does not contain any oil, seasonings, or spices. It’s high in easily digestible carbohydrates, which provide energy to keep dogs going. Rice, being low in fiber and easy to digest, is frequently prescribed as part of a bland diet for dogs suffering from stomach upset, including mild diarrhea.
While it’s low in fat and sodium, it’s high in antioxidants and packed with minerals like calcium, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, and selenium, which all play active roles in supporting the overall health of dogs.
However, rice is highly starchy and loaded with calories which can lead to an unhealthy weight gain and obesity if fed in excessive amounts to dogs.
Zucchini: Feeding this vegetable is not only safe but also beneficial to a dog’s health. It’s loaded with important nutrients like minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that help promote the overall health and wellness of dogs. This vegetable is low in calories but high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, making it ideal for dogs struggling with weight issues and those with very high appetites.
Other benefits of zucchini for dogs include:
- It’s high in antioxidants that are important in fighting off diseases, combating oxidative damage of the free radicals, boosting skin health, as well as slowing down the aging process in dogs.
- It has a high fiber content which aids digestion, improves bowel health, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- It contains vitamins A, C, B6, and K which promote healthy vision, bone, skin, and cartilages while also aiding proper blood clotting.
However, feeding this in large amounts can lead to gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea and vomiting.
What are the health advantages of feeding Egg Shells to your dog?
Eggshells are without doubt very beneficial to the health of dogs. However, this has to be prepared and fed in the right way to enable dogs to reap maximum benefits from them. If fed in moderation, eggshells can offer the following health benefits to your dog:
- They make excellent calcium supplements and can thus help your dog build and maintain strong bones.
- Eggshells can help improve your dog’s joint health making them useful for dogs struggling with arthritis and other joint issues.
- They also contain phosphorus which works together with calcium to enhance your dog’s blood coagulation, muscle growth, and healthy nervous system functioning.
- Eggshells contain magnesium which can help your dog absorb calcium more effectively as well as aid in the development of healthy muscles and bones.
- They also make a good source of vitamin E which can improve your dog’s cognitive function as well as keep its coat and skin in top condition.
Should you feed your dog with Egg Shells?
Whether you need to feed your dog with eggshells depends on the needs and condition of your dog. If your dog gets a well-balanced diet and is in good health, you do not have to give it eggshells.
However, if your dog has calcium deficiency or has joint problems, adding eggshells to their food can help provide an excellent calcium supplement to improve its bone health. Dogs with arthritis and other joint problems can also be given eggshells. This will provide the calcium and phosphorus they need to maintain healthy joints.
It’s important to consult your vet before giving eggshells to your dog as he will guide you on the appropriateness of the eggshells as a source of calcium and the ideal amount for your dog. You’ll also discuss the potential side effects of feeding these to your dog.
If your vet gives you a go-ahead to include eggshells in your dog’s diet, remember to observe moderation. Feeding eggshells in excessive amounts can lead to biotin deficiency and other health issues. It can also lead to hypercalcemia, a condition in which your dog has too much calcium in its body.
What are the best dog foods with Egg Shells?
Eggshells are without any doubt very beneficial to the health of dogs. They are excellent sources of calcium and phosphorus which dogs need to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
Eggshells also contain other nutrients including vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, folic acid, and zinc which play critical roles in supporting the overall health of dogs.
In recognition of these health benefits, many dog food brands include eggshells in their recipes. Some of our favorite dog food that has eggshells include;
