Wild canines, including foxes, wolves, and dingoes, love eating eggs. Does this mean it’s safe for domestic dogs to consume eggs?
Yes! Eggs are perfectly safe for doggos to eat. More importantly, eggs provide a host of nutritional benefits that can keep our canine pals healthy and happy.
So why are eggs good for dogs? Let’s find out!
Why Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Eggs supply dogs with the nutrients they need to stay in great health. These nutrients include:
Protein
Eggs are famously rich in high-quality protein, with a single egg containing around 7 grams of the stuff. In fact, eggs are among the best protein sources for dogs.
This nutrient benefits dogs in various ways. For instance, dogs require protein for the development and health maintenance of muscles, skin, nails, hair, blood, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. The canine body also breaks down protein to produce energy, which dogs need not only to stay mobile but to survive.
While all dogs need protein, the nutrient is especially important to breeds that require regular physical stimulation. Examples include working dogs (e.g. Siberian Huskies, Rottweilers), herding dogs (German Shepherds, Border Collies), and sporting dogs (Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers).
Vitamins
Eggs boast many vitamins crucial to every dog’s health.
Retinol (vitamin A) is necessary for healthy growth, vision, immune system function, nerve function, and reproduction. It also keeps a dog’s skin and coat in great condition.
Folic acid (vitamin B9) is essential to the production of red blood cells, which transport oxygen from the lungs to various bodily tissues, providing a dog with the energy they require to survive. Red blood cells also play a key role in the removal of carbon dioxide waste from the body, thus preventing lethal toxicity. In addition, vitamin B9 is necessary for DNA synthesis and metabolic functions.
Biotin (vitamin B7) is essential for healthy skin, proper digestion, cell regrowth, and good metabolism.
Cobalamin (vitamin B12) is involved in various metabolic processes and helps maintain healthy cell function.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) metabolizes carbohydrates and fats into energy. It also plays a role in red blood cell production.
Eggs are also particularly rich in choline, a compound that’s similar to B-complex vitamins. Choline is vital for the healthy development of the canine brain as well as the health of the nervous system, heart, liver, and muscles.
Minerals
Eggs are a good source of minerals.
Eggs boast a considerable amount of phosphorus, which is crucial to many biological functions, protein and amino acid synthesis, cell growth, energy storage, and energy use.
Iron produces hemoglobin, a substance red blood cells need to transport oxygen throughout a dog’s body.
Selenium helps maintain immune system health and protects cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Healthy fats
True, eggs contain saturated fat. However, a significant amount of healthy unsaturated fats is also found in eggs. These are good for dogs as they boost heart health and lower bad cholesterol.
Low calories
The egg is a high-protein, low-calorie food that can support weight loss, making it an excellent snack for obese dogs that need to shed pounds. It also helps healthy dogs maintain their ideal body weight.
Can Eggs Be Bad for Dogs?
If an egg isn’t prepared for canine consumption, it can harm your pooch. Also, some dogs can’t tolerate eggs.
Below are the problems that may arise when a dog eats an egg.
Raw egg issues
Some dogs can eat raw eggs without experiencing any problems. However, feeding a dog raw or undercooked eggs may also lead to the following concerns:
Salmonellosis: Salmonella bacteria are sometimes found in raw eggs. When salmonella enters your dog’s system, it can cause an infection known as salmonellosis, whose symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and lethargy. Seek veterinary assistance if you suspect your dog has salmonellosis.
Biotin deficiency: Raw egg whites contain an enzyme called avidin, which prevents a dog’s body from absorbing biotin. Eating raw eggs may therefore contribute to biotin deficiency, which can result in dermatitis, a dull coat, hair loss, stunted growth, and neurological problems.
For these two reasons, it’s recommended to cook eggs before feeding them to your dog.
Bad egg issues
Eggs that are no longer fresh or are already rotten can expose your dog to a wide range of bacteria species that may cause diarrhea or even more severe issues such as cellular and tissue death.
Seek a veterinarian’s help if your dog experiences distress following the ingestion of bad eggs.
Weight gain
A dog that’s fed many eggs daily ends up consuming too much protein, which in turn leads to the absorption of excess calories. This is conducive to unnecessary weight gain, so if you aren’t careful, your dog could grow obese from eating eggs. Obesity is associated with serious health risks such as diabetes and heart disease.
To avoid weight gain, give your dog only a single egg per day.
Allergic reaction
Some dogs are allergic to eggs. If your pet is such a dog, eating an egg can lead to the following concerns:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Facial swelling
- Inflamed, reddish skin
- Sneezing
- Runny ears
- Excessive licking
A severe allergic reaction can even result in a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock, during which the blood pressure plummets and the airways narrow to cause extreme breathing difficulty.
Contact a vet if your dog displays the above symptoms after eating eggs. Bring them to the pet clinic or hospital if the symptoms are severe.
It’s ideal to have a vet determine what foods your dog is allergic to so you can avoid feeding them anything that can make them ill.
FAQs About Eggs for Dogs
Below, we answer commonly asked questions about eggs for dogs!
How should I prepare eggs for my dog?
It’s ideal for eggs to be cooked if you plan on feeding them to your dog. Hard-boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, and sunny side up eggs are all great options for canines.
However, make sure you don’t use any seasonings or ingredients (e.g. salt, sugar, spices, herbs, dairy, fat, or oil) when cooking eggs for dogs, as such additives can harm them. In short, cooked eggs should be as plain as possible.
How many eggs can I feed my dog?
Generally speaking, you can give your dog one egg a day as a treat.
Remember to observe the 90% and 10% rule when feeding dogs treats. This means 90% of what your dog consumes should be high-quality dog food approved by a vet, while the remaining 10% should consist of treats that supplement their regular diet.
Make sure to consider your dog’s age, size, activity level, and existing health conditions before feeding them eggs. A whole egg may not be as healthy for a tiny dog as it is for an average-sized dog, while a dog that’s already enjoying a high-protein diet may not benefit from eating eggs daily. For this reason, consult a vet for advice to determine the ideal serving size for your pooch.
How should I introduce eggs to my dog?
For your dog’s first taste of eggs, give them a whole egg or a portion of an egg, then observe them for gastrointestinal issues (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea) and symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g. itching, sneezing). If no problems occur, your dog should be fine eating eggs every day.
Contact your vet for aid if any issues occur after egg consumption.
Can dogs eat raw eggs?
Technically, they can. However, we don’t recommend feeding dogs raw eggs.
This is because there are risks associated with consuming raw eggs, chief among them salmonella contraction and biotin deficiency, both of which can harm your dog.
Can dogs eat eggshells?
Yes, but your pooch is better off eating other foods.
Eggshells are rich in phosphorus and calcium—minerals every dog needs to stay healthy. Eggshells can also improve joint function and reduce joint pain in older dogs suffering from arthritis.
However, there are better sources of these minerals, including vet-approved, high-quality dog food and nutritious treats such as spinach, green beans, broccoli, and beets.
If you insist on feeding eggshells to your dog, ensure you grind them into tiny pieces to avoid choking and internal injury due to sharp edges.
Should dogs eat organically produced eggs or chemically treated eggs?
The organic option is always best for dogs, as the substances used in chemically treated eggs can cause an allergic reaction in canines.
Can dogs eat scrambled eggs?
Yes—as long as you ensure they don’t contain ingredients and seasonings. So when scrambling an egg for your pooch, say no to additives such as salt, sugar, spices, herbs, dairy, fat, or oil.
Conclusion
So, can dogs eat eggs? They definitely can! Which is a good thing, because eggs are an excellent source of protein and other nutrients your pooch will benefit from. Just make sure to cook those eggs before feeding them to your pet, and consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns about adding this food to their menu of treats.