My Dog Ate Eggshells Will He Get Sick?

Reviewed By Kyoko •  Updated: 01/21/21 •  3 min read
Dog Moderate Toxicity Level
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You may be baking or cooking in the kitchen, maybe you’re even cooking eggs, and your dog comes in sniffing happily. When he realizes you’re not sharing anything with him, he may decide to rummage around in the garbage. There he finds those eggshells you threw away, and snarfs them down!

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Does this scenario sound familiar? Then you may want to read this article. Are eggshells bad for your dog? Can eggs shells make him sick?

Eggshells

In the wild, your dog’s canine cousins eat eggshells all the time. They eat them without problems; however, eggshells could cause a problem with your dog. If he’s not used to eating them, the eggshells could cause digestive problems. However, in most cases, your dog should be OK.

Eggshells are actually good for your dog! This is because they’re a rich source of calcium and other nutrients. There are even pet parents who feed their dogs eggshells on a regular basis. So, the shells can be a part of a healthy diet for a dog.

It is strongly recommended to contact a Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

Eggshells Can Cause Problems in Some Dogs

Eggshells are usually sharp and have jagged edges. This means the shells can cause choking or they can make small tears in the mouth, esophagus, or in the digestive system.

In addition, some dogs may develop diarrhea and vomiting after eating eggshells.

One more thing to be aware of is that eggshells can also cause salmonella, which is a dangerous type of food poisoning. While this is rare, it can still happen occasionally.

What to Do if Your Dog Ate Eggshells

If your fur baby has eaten eggshells, then you may want to monitor him for a day or two. It’s possible he could vomit and/or have diarrhea. In this case, your dog may experience diarrhea and vomiting over a 24-hour period. If these last longer, then it’s a good idea to call your vet.

On rare occasions, if your dog has eaten a large number of eggshells, he could even develop an intestinal blockage. This is a life-threatening medical emergency. You may notice these symptoms if your dog has an intestinal blockage:

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, then you’ll need to call the vet immediately. This is a life-threatening medical emergency. Your dog needs treatment now.

The good news is that for most dogs, eating eggshells will not cause a problem. However, if your dog is showing any signs of an intestinal blockage, he needs treatment right away. Dogs who receive treatment ASAP have a very good chance of a full recovery.

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Kyoko

Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!

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