Don’t throw those eggshells away!

Eggshells and egg membranes, often overlooked and discarded as waste, offer various nutritional benefits and health advantages that make them valuable natural ingredients in dog food. Their components can support digestive health and promote joint function and mobility, as well as enhancing skin and coat condition. (And if you have any left over, they can even improve the soil!)
Source of Calcium
Including powdered egg shells in the diet provides a natural and readily absorbable source of calcium. Eggshells are predominantly composed of calcium carbonate, making them an excellent source of dietary calcium for dogs, helping to maintain strong bones, teeth, and muscle function in dogs of all ages.
Digestive Health
The membrane lining the inner surface of eggshells contains natural compounds like glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which support digestive health and may alleviate gastrointestinal issues in dogs. Incorporating egg membranes into dog food formulations can enhance digestive function and contribute to a healthier gastrointestinal tract.
Blood coagulation
Calcium plays a crucial role in the coagulation cascade. Calcium ions are essential for activating clotting in the blood, which ultimately staunches bleeding.
Joint Support
Eggshell membranes are a rich source of collagen, glucosamine, and other joint-supporting compounds that benefit dogs with mobility issues or joint disorders such as arthritis. Collagen provides structural support to joints, while glucosamine helps maintain cartilage health and lubricates joints, reducing inflammation and stiffness. Including eggshell membrane powder in dog food can help support joint function, alleviate discomfort, and improve mobility, enhancing the quality of life for dogs with joint-related conditions.
Skin and Coat Health
The proteins, vitamins, and minerals present in eggshells and egg membranes contribute to healthy skin and a shiny coat in dogs. Essential nutrients like biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids and GAGs promote skin hydration, support cell regeneration, and reduce inflammation, resulting in improved skin health and a lustrous coat. Incorporating eggshell and egg membrane ingredients into dog food formulations can help address skin conditions, such as dryness or dermatitis, and enhance the overall appearance and texture of the coat.

Membranes:
Wound Healing
Egg membranes possess antimicrobial properties and can aid in wound healing. Applied topically to minor cuts, burns, or abrasions, egg membranes create a protective barrier that shields the wound from bacteria while promoting tissue regeneration. Their natural adhesive properties help keep dressings in place, enhancing the healing process.
Rich Source of Collagen
Eggshell membranes are also a rich source of collagen, a protein vital for maintaining the health of connective tissues, joints, and bones. Consuming powdered eggshell membranes or supplements derived from them can support joint health, reduce inflammation, and alleviate symptoms of conditions like osteoarthritis.

Want to know more? These studies may be useful:

Vuong TT, Rønning SB, Ahmed TAE, Brathagen K, Høst V, Hincke MT, Suso HP, Pedersen ME. Processed eggshell membrane powder regulates cellular functions and increase MMP-activity important in early wound healing processes. PLoS One. 2018 Aug 6;13(8):e0201975. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201975. PMID: 30080894; PMCID: PMC6078314.

Guarderas F, Leavell Y, Sengupta T, Zhukova M, Megraw TL. Assessment of Chicken-Egg Membrane as a Dressing for Wound Healing. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2016 Mar;29(3):131-4. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000480359.58866.e9. PMID: 26866869.

Important Considerations:

  • Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
  • As some commercial foods contain eggshells as an ingredient, check the label to see whether it’s in your dog’s food before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
  • Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
  • Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
  • I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
  • Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.