As the Easter season continues, it is only natural to want to include your pet in all of the fun. Coloring eggs is a timeless tradition enjoyed by many families during Easter. However, what eggs will benefit fido? Or what ones will hurt your best friend?

Eggshells

Evidence has been found that eggshells are a great source of calcium and protein for your pet. Consider crushing eggshells and sprinkling about a half teaspoon into your pet’s regular food. Research does not point eggshells as a source of salmonella poisoning, but if that is a concern, try boiling the shells first. After boiling, allow them to dry thoroughly, then crush them. Crushing eggshells also makes it easier to store the shells in bulk, rather than crushing them daily. A crushed shell can be stored in an airtight bowl or jar for a week. Anther method is to store the shell in a bag or bowl in your refrigerator until you are ready to crush them.

Hardboiled Eggs

The eg itself is a great source of protein. They help build muscle, strengthen hair and nails, and repair tissue. There is no need for extra ingredients, so hard-boiled eggs are easy, straightforward ways to feed eggs to your pet. After cooled, the egg can be given as is, or cut into chunks and mixed into their usual kibble. If you leave the shell on, tap the egg against a counter until the shell is cracked all around. Your pet will be able to bite right into the egg and gain all the benefits of both the shell and the egg itself.

Raw Eggs

Raw eggs are not recommended for dogs or cats. They do not impart any significant health benefit and cause problems that could have been avoided by cooking the egg. It is always better to be safe and hard boil the egg. Oe issue with raw eggs is with a protein in the raw egg whites. This protein, if consumed in excess, interferes with the function of biotin in the body. Biotin is essential for the growth of cells, metabolism of fat, and transference of carbon dioxide.

Easter Eggs

If you want to include your pet in your Easter Egg hunt activities, give them their own eggs. As long as the eggs have been colored with a non-toxic food coloring, they should be safe for your pet. Be cautious when combining children and dogs for hunts. Count the eggs so that you don’t have rotting eggs in your back yard weeks after the hunt. Rotting eggs can be very upsetting to your pets gastrointestinal tract. Also, keep the plastic eggs away. If filled with chocolate and not found by one of the kids, your dog will find it. Ingestion of chocolate can cause problems ranging from a mild stomach ache to tremors, seizures and even death. Even if the eggs are filled with coins, keep them away. Some dogs will eat almost anything. Make sure that your pup doesn’t ingest any coins as they can cause severe anemia as well as kidney breakdown.

Including your dog in Easter activities is a great way to make the day fun for the whole family. As long as you are careful, Easter can be a fun holiday for your entire family.