Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
When dogs were hunters and gatherers, they could snatch eggs out of birds’ nests and eat them raw. Today, dogs don’t need to hunt for their own food, but eggs still provide a good amount of protein for dogs. As long as eggs are consumed safely, they make excellent treats or dietary supplements for dogs.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, Eggs are a great source of nutrition for your canine companion. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog inside and out.
Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from. Try to feed your dog eggs that are from free-range farm hens fed an organic diet. If you can get them from a trusted source, that is ideal. Just like us, chickens are as healthy as what they eat, and healthier chickens lay healthier, more nutritious eggs.
Before feeding your dog eggs, talk to your vet. Some dogs with medical conditions shouldn’t eat eggs so always check first. Consuming too many eggs can also lead to health problems like obesity, so talk to your vet about the appropriate amount of eggs to feed your beloved canine.
With that said, sometimes eggs can be used to help settle upset stomachs.
Eggs should not be used as your dog’s main meal but they are a great occasional treat.
How Do Eggs Help Dogs?
Eggs provide much-needed minerals and vitamins for dogs. Nutrition includes:
- Iron
- Fatty Acids
- Folate
- Protein
- Riboflavin
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
These nutrients and vitamins help support your dog’s skin and coat.
Can I Feed My Dog Raw Egg?
Most veterinarians recommend cooking eggs before feeding them to your dog, but some dog owners feed their dogs raw eggs. There are a few concerns about feeding raw eggs to dogs that owners should be aware of:
Salmonella — Dogs are at risk of contracting salmonella. Owners who feed raw eggs to dogs could also be exposed to salmonella. If a dog eats an egg contaminated by salmonella, they could get an infection called Salmonellosis. The symptoms of Salmonellosis includes fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
Biotin deficiency — Feeding raw eggs can lead to biotin deficiency, as egg whites contain avidin, an enzyme that prevents absorption of biotin in the body. Biotin is a vitamin that supports healthy skin, metabolism, cells, and digestion. Biotin deficiencies are rare in dogs, but can happen.
Bacteria — As eggs go bad, they can grow bacteria that can harm your pup.
It’s also possible that your dog will be allergic to eggs. Watch your dog for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, swelling, hives, problems breathing, lethargy, or coughing.
If you plan to feed your pup raw egg, speak to your veterinarian first.
If your dog eats raw egg, monitor them for any problematic symptoms, including the symptoms of Salmonellosis. It’s also a good idea to chat with your vet and take them in to get tested, just in case.
Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells? Are Egg Shells Nutritious for Dogs?
You can technically feed your dog egg shells but only if your veterinarian thinks it’s a good idea.
Egg shells contain calcium, which some dogs need supplemented in their diets. However, there are easier ways to give your dog more calcium and egg shells aren’t the tastiest option. Plus, egg shells have sharp edges.
Egg shells can help older arthritic dogs. Egg shell membranes significantly reduced joint pain and improved joint function in 51 dogs experiencing a range of joint problems, according to a 2016 study.
How To Feed Your Dog Eggs
Eggs should be cooked before given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesn’t matter how your dog likes their eggs — sunny side up, scrambled, or hard boiled — as long as they are cooked. There are several ways to integrate eggs into your dog’s diet, from the occasional bite of hard boiled egg to sprinkled scrambled eggs atop dog food.
Start by feeding your dog just one egg. Watch them for any signs of gastrointestinal distress like diarrhea or vomiting. As long as they don’t show any digestive discomfort, you should have no trouble giving them eggs.
Eggs can’t be the sole source of protein for your dog, as dog food contains other much-needed nutrients for any dog. Plus, since eggs are packed with protein, if your dog ingests too much it can lead to weight gain from too many calories consumed.
In general, dogs shouldn’t eat more than one egg per day. Ideally, get your eggs from an organic farmer so they haven’t been chemically treated.
You should treat eggs like a treat for your dog. Treating your dog to a cooked egg every so often is perfectly safe and keeps it a special surprise that your dog will enjoy.
For a healthy and happy dog make sure you feed him with the right products designed for his breed, age group and general activity and don’t substitute his present nutrition with something else altogether.
Ultimately, your dog health and well-being is very important and rushing him to the vet could not only be heart breaking but also extremely expensive. If you do not have an insurance for your dog, maybe it is worth considering it.
FAQ
1 – Can dogs eat raw eggs? No, you should steam or boil your dog’s egg before feeding him.
2 – Can dogs eat raw eggs with shell? No, raw egg is dangerous for dogs. The shell can be a choking hazard too
