We all know eggs are, well, real good eggs. Packed with nutrition, able to be cooked in a multitude of ways (although, let’s be honest, scrambled is definitely king), and easily portable, there’s lots to love about these nifty little foodstuffs. But are they just as beneficial for our canines? Can dogs eat eggs or are they best avoided?
Here’s the lowdown on whether or not they make egg-cellent additions to your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat eggs?
You’ll be glad to know that it’s not just us humans who get to enjoy eggs – our dogs can eat them too. They can chow down on eggs as treats, as supplements to their meals, or as ingredients in their favourite healthy dog food. In fact, eggs offer a lot of health benefits to our puppers.
First up, eggs are packed with protein. This mighty compound ensures your dog’s body runs smoothly, and provides much-needed essential amino acids. These keep your doggo’s hair, skin, muscles, and tissue in good shape. Eggs also contain lots of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, riboflavin (Vitamin B), Vitamin B12, folate, and iron. There’s a bunch of nourishing fatty acids in eggs, too.
In short, eggs are nutritional powerhouses that can safely be part of a dog’s diet – with a few precautions.
Can dogs eat eggs when they’re raw?
So if eggs are indeed safe and good for our furbabies, can they eat them raw? To be completely frank, the jury’s still out on this one.
Many Owners add a bit of raw egg to their pooch’s fresh raw dog food to up the nutritional ante. Some animal experts advise that eggs are perfectly safe when raw, as long as you can guarantee that they’re fresh. And in fact, many raw dog food advocates argue that wild animals like wolves, foxes, coyotes, and dingos devour raw eggs (shell and all!) in the wild, so our doggos can safely eat them, too.
On the other hand, numerous animal experts believe you should always cook eggs before feeding them to your dog.
They say that raw eggs expose your dog to salmonella, which could lead to a Salmonellosis infection. Raw eggs can also develop bacteria if they sit on the shelf for too long. And lastly, eating an excessive amount of raw eggs may lead to a biotin deficiency. This is because raw egg whites contain an enzyme called avidin. While a very rare occurrence, avidin can disrupt the absorption of biotin in the body.
So, in answering the question, “Can dogs eat eggs when they’re raw?”, there’s really no clear-cut answer. It’s an individual choice that you’ll need to make, ideally in conjunction with your vet’s advice.
What about the outer part of an egg? Can dogs eat egg shells?
Yep! Dogs can safely eat both the shell and membrane. These provide a slightly different mix of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy stuff, which are also good for your dog. Egg shells contain calcium and phosphorus, which keep your dog’s bones and teeth nice and strong. The membrane has glucosamine and collagen, among other things.
Ground egg shells are a popular addition to dog meals, but just be careful when breaking them up. Jagged-edged shells can get stuck in your dog’s throat or digestive tract. This is incredibly unpleasant for your pooch, to say the least.
Some experts also advise purchasing organic eggs, as their shells haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals.
Before feeding your dog egg shells, it’s always best to chat to your vet. They’ll be able to tell you if your dog should eat them, and if not, what other foods you can use to replace them.
A few extra tips for feeding your dog eggs
There are several things you should know to ensure eggs remain a healthy part of your pupper’s diet – and not a hindrance.
Start slow
Before you add eggs to your dog’s feeding routine, ask your vet for advice. Some dogs have conditions that mean they shouldn’t eat eggs, such as being overweight or obese.
If your vet gives you the go ahead, start with a single egg to see how your dog reacts. If you notice any signs of allergy or gastrointestinal upset (more on these shortly!), your dog may not be able to tolerate eggs.
And if your vet advises against feeding your dog eggs, they’ll provide guidance on how your dog can receive a similar nutritional boost using other foods.
Watch out for any kind of reaction
Many dogs can safely eat eggs, but some can’t. Eggs just may not agree with your dog’s digestive system, so should be avoided. Signs of stomach upset after eating eggs can include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constant licking of the lips
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
And while not overly prevalent, eggs are one of the most common allergens among dogs. The signs of an egg allergy include:
- Itchy skin or paws
- Skin rash
- Constant licking
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing, coughing, or wheezing
- Eye discharge or red eyes
If you notice any of these after you start feeding eggs to your dog, remove them from their diet immediately. You can also take your dog to the vet to treat any of the allergy symptoms – especially issues like skin rash.
Keep it simple
When cooking eggs for your dog, you can generally prepare them any way you like: boiled, scrambled, fried, or poached. But plain is always best. Make sure to avoid additives like oil, butter, salt, flavourings, and any foods that are toxic to dogs, like garlic and onion.
Make sure they’re fresh
Fresh eggs are always best, ideally from a free-range supplier. Make sure they’re stored in a cool, dry spot, or the fridge, to maintain their freshness for longer. In short, you basically want to feed eggs to your dog at the same standard you’d feed them to yourself. This is especially important if you decide to include raw eggs in their diet.
Don’t go overboard
Eggs should never form the bulk of your dog’s diet. Instead, you should treat them as exactly that: a treat. Too many eggs can lead to your dog being overweight or obese. This is especially the case if they’re already on the chunkier side or not particularly active.
Generally speaking, one egg per day is considered a safe amount. But this also depends on your dog’s size, age, activity levels, and any existing health conditions. This is why it’s a good idea to chat to your vet before feeding eggs to your doggo. They’ll provide a clearer idea of how much egg to feed your dog and any precautions you’ll need to take.
