Yep, eggshell powder for dogs is a thing, especially for DIY raw feeders.
And while you can buy the pre-made kind, too, today I’ll show you how you can easily make your own.
Besides the recipe for DIY eggshell powder, you’ll also learn about its benefits, how much eggshell powder to feed your raw-fed dog, and what you can mix it with.
Ready? Let’s jump right in!
How to Make Eggshell Powder for Dogs
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Eggshell Powder for Dogs Benefits
Let’s start with the benefits of egg shell powder for dogs.
Egg shells are chock-full of calcium, and dogs need calcium for healthy bones and teeth.
So that said, they’re actually a great alternative to raw meaty bones which are typically used for calcium in raw feeding.
Now, here’s when you’ll want to use eggshell powder in raw feeding:
- If you’re new to DIY raw feeding and don’t want to give raw bones right away
- If you’re still learning the correct bone amount for your dog
- If you run out of raw meaty bones for your raw dog food meal prep
Technically speaking, you could also use bone meal instead of eggshell power for dogs.
But bone meal got a bad rep over the years. Mostly because it’s made from slaughterhouse waste that can be contaminated with who knows what.
Eggshell Powder for Dogs Recipe
OK, now let’s get to the fun stuff.
Here are the 5 steps you’ll be taking to make DIY eggshell powder for your pup(s):
Step 1: Collect Eggshells
First things first, you’ll want to collect eggshells. How many exactly is up to you and depends on how large of a batch you want to make.
The eggshells from a dozen chicken eggs will make about 2.5 oz = 71 g of calcium powder.
You can also mix and match eggshells from different types of eggs. For example, from chicken eggs, duck eggs and quail eggs.
If you’re collecting the eggshells over the course of a few weeks, make sure to run them under water before you add them to your growing collection.
That’ll keep them from smelling while you’re waiting to collect more.
Step 2: Wash The Eggshells
You’ll also want to wash them again with hot water before you’re getting ready to turn them into calcium powder.
Tip: If you’re cracking a dozen eggs at a time to make a small batch of calcium powder for your dog, whip up some omelettes for you and the fam!
Or bake some yummy cakes.
Step 3: Let The Eggshells Dry
Once you ran the eggshells under hot water, lay them out on a baking sheet and let them dry.
You can set them up in the sun to speed up the drying process.
Step 4: Bake The Eggshells
Next, bake them on a baking sheet in your oven for 10 minutes at 250° F = 120° C.
Nerd tip: Open the oven for a moment and listen to the cute sounds of the eggshells while they’re baking.
I love it!
Step 5: Grind The Eggshells
Once the eggshells are done baking, it’s time to grind them into the actual powder we’re looking to make.
You can either do this in a food processor, a clean coffee bean or spice grinder, or you can also use a mortar and pestle.
Store the calcium powder in an airtight food storage container.
It’ll last for at least 2 months.
How Much Eggshell to Feed Dog
As far as how much of the eggshell powder you need for your dog, use 1 teaspoon per 1 lb of boneless raw dog food (or cooked dog food).
That’s the recommended amount by Dr. Judy Morgan.
You can mix the calcium powder with any ground meats you buy from the grocery store, or muscle meats you buy from raw dog food retailers.
For example, Raw Paws Pet Food or Raw Feeding Miami.
Store-Bought Eggshell Calcium Powder As A Quicker Alternative
If you don’t feel like making your own, you can also buy eggshell calcium powder on Amazon.
Or you may be able to find some at an independently owned pet food store.
How to Make Eggshell Powder for Dogs: Bottom Line
Now you know how you can make your own eggshell calcium for dogs!
It’s a good alternative for raw meaty bones in DIY raw dog food as far as the calcium source is concerned.
The only thing you won’t be getting is the dental and mental benefits that dogs have when they eat whole raw meaty bones.
But either way, making homemade eggshell powder for dogs is a pretty quick process, especially once you have all the eggshells you need.
Remember to run them under hot water and to let them dry before you bake them in the oven.
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