Can Dogs Eat Eggs and Eggshells?

Yes, eggs can be a source of protein for dogs, and ground up eggshells can provide calcium.

Are eggs good for dogs?

The short answer: Yes, dogs can eat eggs, but with some important things to note. In fact, the egg is a powerhouse of nutrition (including the shell!). Eggs contain all the essential amino acids and are a highly digestible source of protein with a high nutritional value. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals, too. Plus, eggs are a perfect source of protein.

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Ideally, you want to choose eggs from free-range or pastured chickens or organic, omega-3 enriched eggs, which come from hens who were fed flax. These eggs contain the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic (ALA), plus two other omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA). When giving your dog eggs, introduce them slowly to ensure they do not cause an upset stomach.

Can dogs eat eggs?

There are many ways to feed eggs to your dog. Ready to add eggs to your dog’s food bowl? Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

• Cook them (simply): You can give your dog hardboiled, scrambled, fried, poached—the sky’s the limit! Just make sure you serve them plain. You might be able to take all that salt, pepper, and chili sauce, but your dog should keep it simple.

• Steam hard-boiled eggs: Hard-boiled eggs for dogs are quick and easy, and steaming is the best, most foolproof way to cook eggs. Place cold eggs on a rack in a pot with one cup of boiling water. Cover and cook for ten to twelve minutes, depending on the size of the egg. Drain, then place the eggs in cold water for just a few minutes.

• Make an omelet or frittata: Just don’t add ingredients that can harm your dog (such as onions, chives and garlic), and go light on the salt and pepper. 

• Turn them into a topping: You can chop up cooked eggs and use them as a topper to enhance your dog’s usual meal. (Make sure you take into account the calories in an egg before supplementing your dog’s food.) 

Are eggs completely safe for dogs?

Even eggshells are a great and very affordable source of calcium for your dog, because they’re made of 94 percent calcium carbonate. Prepping eggshells to make calcium carbonate is easy. Rinse the cooked eggshells or boil raw shells for five minutes (to kill any bacteria). To dry them out, spread them on a baking sheet and place them in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven for ten minutes. Cool the shells, then grind them to a very fine consistency in a coffee grinder or a blender. Store them in a glass jar in the refrigerator. One eggshell contains 380-400 mg of calcium per gram. Half a teaspoon of eggshell powder is roughly 800 mg of calcium.

Consult with your veterinarian on how much calcium supplement is suitable for your dog. Soon, you’ll be packing in those nutrients together.

Other foods that are good for dogs

• Tuna: It’s stinky, it’s packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it’s affordable — what’s not to love?

• Broccoli: Broccoli can be a nutritious snack for dogs and has the extra benefit of easy preparation.

• Shrimp: When eaten in moderation, shrimp can be a nutritious treat for dogs, too.

Other foods that are not good for dogs

• Cheese: Generally speaking, cheese is not good for dogs, but it usually won’t cause harm in small amounts.

• Almonds: Because almonds are difficult for dogs to digest, they should be avoided.

• Avocados: Stomachaches and diarrhea can occur when dogs ingest avocados.

The bottom line: Can dogs eat human food?

Dogs can eat eggs, but should do so only in moderation. Like all treats, eggs should be supplementary to a complete and balanced dog food diet.

FAQs (People also ask):

Can dogs eat eggs?

Yes, dogs can eat eggs as long as they consume them in moderation.

Can dogs eat eggshells?

Ground eggshells can be an excellent source of calcium for your pup.

How many eggs can a dog eat?

To avoid an upset stomach or diarrhea, you should feed eggs to your dog only in moderation.

Are eggs safe for dogs?

Yes, eggs are safe, and can be fed to your dog in a variety of ways.

References

• Chicken eggshell as suitable calcium source at home

• Why Are Eggs Good for You? An Egg-Ceptional Superfood