Can dogs eat eggs?
The first question asked when you order breakfast is, “How do you like your eggs?” If your dog could talk you might ask him the same question, as dogs can benefit from raw, scrambled, sunny-side up, boiled … In other words, feed your dog an egg each day if you would like, eggs are a wonderful addition to his diet. Most commercial dog food contains eggs with all of the benefits they pose for canines. Even the ground eggshell has nutritive benefits for your dog. Can dogs eat eggs that are scrambled, boiled, fried, raw? Yep.
How are eggs good for dogs?
Dogs really enjoy the benefits from the Incredible Edible Egg. Vitamin A helps with healthy skin, hair and overall pet health along with B12 which has positive effects on the brain and nervous system. Eggs also include iron, folate, riboflavin, fatty acids and selenium which give additional benefits. Remember, an egg contains everything inside that shell to grow a healthy baby chick so it is a very complete food for your pet. Raw eggs actually offer more nutrients than the cooked variety, but the jury is still out about salmonella in the raw egg. Most sources say a dog’s stomach contains bacteria that help the salmonella pass through their body without detrimental effects. The ground shells (sharp points might cut their gums or catch in their throats) offer magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. These chemicals in the shells promote healthy teeth and gums, muscle strength, and bone health. A large egg (50 grams) has around 6.5 grams of protein. Dogs intake is recommended to be 1 gram of protein per pound of weight, so a tiny pet could get all of his protein from one egg. Don’t limit your dog’s diet with chicken eggs if you have access to others types such as duck, quail, pheasant, etc. All these eggs offer nutritional benefits. If you live on a farm or have access to other fowl you can add a bit of variety. Can dogs eat eggs… Yes they can!
Why are eggs bad for dogs?
A large chicken egg gives us about 75 calories with the small variety weighing in at around 55 calories. Check out your dog’s weight and size to see if that extra 75 calories each day could be too many for your pet. We don’t recommend making white egg omelets for your pet as too much egg white can cause a biotin deficiency. This deficiency is more often caused by anti-seizure medication, pregnancy, long term antibiotic use or leaky gut syndrome. Your pet might show up with hair loss, dry skin, lack of energy, mood changes, muscle aches and pains, cognitive impairment and digestive tract issues if they have only egg whites. If you notice this stop the egg supplement for a few days and see if you note improvement. If you have worries, call your veterinarian. The only other challenge to your dogs could come from not crushing the shells well enough and where your dog gets a piece caught in their throat or digestive tract. Treat eggs like any other supplement and stay at the 10% rule of their normal diet.
How do you feed eggs to your dog?
Just crack a raw egg on top of his kibbles or mix it right in. If you are planning to cook it watch out for too many spices and oil though a little soybean oil has lutein which is beneficial. When you are making your breakfast, you can scramble, fry, or hard boil and egg for your best friend and let him eat at the same time you do. Eggs are a common ingredient in most commercial dog treats and biscuits so your dog is probably not allergic if he has been eating store products. If you plan to add an egg a day just ask your vet to make you more comfortable with that decision.
Recipe for dog treats containing eggs.
If your dog is allergic to gluten you can substitute rice flour for the whole wheat. Your dog biscuits will be lighter with rice flour.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- ¼ c peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2-2 ½ cups flour
- Parchment paper
- Love
Instructions:
Hand mix or use an electric mixer. Place the peanut butter, pumpkin puree, eggs, & cinnamon in a bowl and incorporate all evenly. Slowly add the flour and mix in. Flour your counter and knead dough a few times. Use a rolling pin and roll about ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes, use a cookie cutter or just slice in bars. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, cool and store.
What do Veterinarians and nutritionists say about dogs and eggs?
Eggs are safe for your dog in many forms but like any other food limit the amount given daily to prevent weight gain or other health issues. Remember that the crunch factor of the shell pieces seem to add to his enjoyment. If you have questions speak to your vet before maintaining a constant diet of eggs as a supplement. Eating an egg might even help alleviate a dog’s upset stomach. Have fun making your dog’s day a little brighter. We’ve now answered the burning question… Can dogs eat eggs? Yes they can eat eggs.