Dogs can eat almost anything. However, if you want your dog to be healthy and to avoid future health issues, then you have to pay attention to the food you give them.
Dogs’ digestive system can indeed vary depending on their breed and size. Therefore, some dogs can eat certain foods without any issues, while others can’t tolerate certain foods too.
One of the main questions that a lot of dog owners ask is: “can dogs eat eggs?” The answer is it depends. It depends on certain factors such as:
- What type of egg you’re going to give them
- If your dog has certain intolerances
- How you prepare the egg
This article will be discussing some of the frequently asked questions regarding incorporating eggs in a dog’s diet.
Health Benefits of Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of:
- Protein
- Iron
- Selenium
- Vitamin A or Retinol
- Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
- Vitamin B12 or Cyanocobalamin
Raw Eggs for Dogs
Can dogs eat raw eggs? Yes, they can eat raw eggs. However, be wary that there may be certain health risks involving the ingestion of raw eggs in dogs.
Some veterinarians suggest that raw eggs be incorporated in a dog’s diet while other veterinarians strictly prohibit it. This is something which you, as the dog owner, must decide for yourself after proper consultation with your veterinarian.
In short, dogs can eat raw eggs, but just like almonds, this doesn’t mean that they should be fed with it. As much as possible, choose what you feed your dog wisely.
Why Dogs Are Not Supposed to Have Raw Eggs
Humans and dogs alike are supposed to avoid eating raw eggs because of the possibility that salmonella could breed in raw eggs. These bacteria can grow in eggs that haven’t been pasteurized and can cause infection.
Do note that salmonella is known to be zoonotic. This means that if your dog will be infected with salmonella, the infection may be passed on to you.
Another concern is when dogs are fed with raw egg whites, this can cause biotin deficiency because raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds biotin.
Biotin deficiency symptoms in dogs include the following:
- Alopecia
- Diarrhea
- Anorexia
- Other skin conditions such as hair loss, dermatitis, brittleness in the hair, dullness of the coat, and others
Why Dogs May Eat Raw Eggs
On the other hand, other veterinarians believe that it is safe for dogs to eat raw eggs as long as it is given in minimal amounts. Furthermore, cooking diminishes the nutritional value of eggs.
Contrary to common knowledge and belief, it requires months or even years of huge intake of raw egg whites for dogs to suffer biotin deficiency. Therefore, it is safe to feed raw eggs to your dog as long as you do not give too much of it and you can still maintain a proper and balanced diet of the dog by giving fruits, vegetables, meat, and others.
Some also suggest that the eggshells can be blended and mixed in the dog food since the shells are a good source of calcium and biotin, which can counteract the supposed effect of the biotin deficiency when taking raw egg whites.
As a safety precaution, veterinarians highly suggest that the eggs be free-range as it is chemical-free and that these eggs be kept in a cool and dry place to avoid bacteria from breeding.
Hard-Boiled Eggs are Better
Can dogs eat hard boiled eggs? Definitely yes. Dogs can eat hard boiled eggs as long as it is properly cooked. Although studies show that avidin is still present after cooking the eggs, it is still the safer option because the avidin becomes partially denatured and it eventually reduces its binding capacity to biotin. Hence, the level of avidin in cooked eggs is lower than that in raw eggs and it is highly unlikely for your dog to suffer from biotin deficiency.
Plain Scrambled Eggs
Can dogs eat scrambled eggs? Yes. Dogs can eat scrambled eggs as long as it is not cooked with oil or butter and there are no other additives to it such as salt, pepper, and other herbs or spices.
In short, the scrambled eggs should be plain and dogs should not be given the usual scrambled eggs that humans have which contain unnecessary fat which dogs’ digestive system cannot process properly.
Fried Eggs Can but Shouldn’t be Given
Can dogs eat fried eggs? Yes. Dogs can eat fried eggs. However, it is not highly recommended because frying eggs would require you to cook it with oil and it is an unnecessary ingredient that can have negative consequences on your dog’s health. It is still best to cook eggs by boiling it or cooking it by other means as long as it is plain.
Eggs for Days
Can dogs eat eggs everyday? It depends. The amount of eggs a dog can consume in a day depends on the breed, size, and condition of your dog. You have to double-check whether your dog is allergic to it or not. To be safe, it would be best for you to consult your veterinarian on this matter to clarify things.
Eating too many eggs can result in obesity in dogs. So make sure that your dog is eating the recommended amount for his or her daily intake. It should only comprise 10% of the total caloric intake allowed for your dog.
Lastly, ensure that eggs are only given as a treat and not as a meal replacement.