Many dog owners completely exclude eggs from their dog’s diet fearing various adverse effects of feeding their dog eggs. Very often, however, these fears are unfounded and are the result of circulating myths. So we will try to explain what are the risks and values of including cooked eggs and raw eggs in a dog’s diet.
Eggs in a dog’s diet – advantages
Eggs are not only a nice treat, but also a very nutritious food supplement for your dog. They are a valuable source of protein and amino acids. They also contain nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as:
- Vitamin A
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
- Selenium
A few eggs a week will satisfy your pet’s need for many valuable ingredients.
Can a dog eat raw eggs?
Generally, raw eggs are considered a safe food for dogs. Most concerns relate to the risk of salmonella and the fact that chicken egg white can cause biotin deficiencies.
Of course salmonella is a danger, but the risk can be significantly reduced by using organic eggs and storing at the right (low) temperature. Here it should be noted that the organisms of dogs are adapted to raw food and can cope very well with various bacteria.
Egg proteins do indeed contain biotin inhibitors, but with rational dosage the dog will not be at risk of deficiency. A few eggs a week, treated as a supplement rather than a staple of the diet, will not be a threat to a healthy dog.
It’s also worth paying attention to the shells. If you give your dog raw eggs, don’t skip the shells, which will be an additional valuable ingredient supplementing the basic food. They will be especially valuable for dogs who have problems eating bones.
Finally, we must draw attention to the dangers arising not from the eggs themselves, but from the way they are stored. In supermarkets, they can be sprayed with chemicals, so it’s worth looking for a natural, reliable source and buying organic eggs.
Can a dog eat boiled eggs?
Many vets recommend this way of serving eggs, because cooking eliminates many risks. Unfortunately, in the process we also get rid of many of the valuable ingredients that raw eggs offer.
When giving your dog boiled eggs, remember to prepare them without the use of spices, salt, oil and other additives that can be potentially harmful to your dog. The last thing to keep in mind is possibly overfeeding your dog with eggs, which can result in high cholesterol and obesity.
Eggs for your dog – to add to the diet or not?
In conclusion, including eggs in your dog’s diet brings more benefits than possible risks to your pet’s health. Of course, taking into account the state of your dog’s health, it’s worth consulting with your vet beforehand whether it’s completely safe to use eggs in a given case. The specialist will also advise whether our dog can eat raw eggs, or whether boiled eggs are better for it.
