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candogs eat egg shells

Yes, dogs can eat eggshells, but only in the right form, in small amounts, and ideally under your vet’s guidance.

Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells? (Quick Scoop)

Short Answer

  • Eggshells are not toxic to dogs and are rich in calcium.
  • They should be cleaned, cooked, and finely ground before feeding to avoid choking, sharp fragments, and bacteria like salmonella.
  • Most dogs on a complete commercial diet do not need extra eggshell calcium unless a vet suggests it.

Benefits of Eggshells for Dogs

  • High in calcium, which supports bones and teeth, muscle function, and nerve signaling.
  • Can serve as a natural calcium supplement in home‑prepared or raw diets when properly dosed.
  • Useful occasional add‑on if a vet has recommended extra calcium instead of bone meal (for example, for some homemade diets).

Example : A vet‑formulated homemade diet might call for a measured amount of ground eggshell powder per portion as the calcium source.

Risks and When It’s Not Safe

  • Whole or large pieces of shell can be a choking hazard, especially for fast eaters or small dogs.
  • Sharp fragments may scratch or irritate the digestive tract , and in large quantities could contribute to blockage or perforation.
  • Raw shells can carry bacteria (like salmonella) , which may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or infection in some dogs and can be a hygiene risk for people in the household.
  • Too much calcium over time can unbalance the diet and may affect bone development in growing dogs or worsen certain health conditions.

If a dog has a sensitive stomach, history of pancreatitis, kidney issues, or is on a prescription diet, extra supplements (including eggshells) should be cleared with a vet first.

How to Safely Give Eggshells (If Your Vet Approves)

If your vet is on board and you want to use eggshells as a calcium supplement:

  1. Clean the shells
    • Rinse off any egg residue to reduce bacteria load.
  1. Cook or bake the shells
    • Bake at a low temperature (for example, around 150–180 °C / 300–350 °F for several minutes) to help kill surface bacteria.
  1. Grind to a fine powder
    • Use a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or mortar and pestle so there are no sharp chunks.
 * Powder form mixes easily into food and is safer to digest.
  1. Use small, measured amounts
    • General guides suggest only small amounts of eggshell powder as a supplement; exact dosage depends on dog size and the rest of the diet, so your vet or a veterinary nutritionist should set this for you.
  1. Introduce slowly and watch for problems
    • Start with a tiny pinch mixed into food and monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or changes in appetite or behavior.

What If My Dog Already Ate Egg Shells?

  • If it was a small amount of shell and your dog seems normal, many dogs pass it without issues.
  • Watch over the next 24–48 hours for:
    • Vomiting or retching
    • Loss of appetite
    • Abdominal pain (restlessness, hunched posture, whining)
    • Straining, constipation, or bloody stool

Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if you see any of those signs, or if your dog ate a large quantity of shell or big, sharp pieces (for example, swallowed a whole hard‑boiled egg with shell).

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Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.