As a source of a wide variety of highly digestible proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, eggs are a very nutrient-dense food. With 60 calories, 6 grams of protein, and 4 mg of fat per egg, they can be a nutritious treat. However, eating raw or undercooked eggs can expose people to dangerous bacteria like salmonella. Can, however, dogs consume raw eggs? Discover the solutions by continuing to read.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs? What Nutritions Do Raw Eggs Have?
So, are dogs able to eat raw eggs? Yes, it’s safe to give dogs raw eggs. But why should they?
An excellent source of fatty acids and amino acids that are great for your dog’s skin and coat is found in eggs, one of nature’s best sources of protein. They also offer a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, and Selenium, which makes raw eggs for dogs a superfood source.
Actually, eggs are already a common ingredient in many commercial pet foods, including Nutram, Blue Buffalo, and Carna4, which add valuable protein and important nutrients to the diet of dogs. Because they are so nutritious, companies like Big Country Raw have started to sell frozen, raw duck and quail eggs as a quick and delectable meal addition.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs Without Getting Sick?
Concerns exist when it comes to feeding dogs raw eggs. Below are a few things you need to take note of should you decide to include raw eggs in your dog’s diet:
Allergic Reaction
Usually, dogs with food allergies are allergic to proteins. The most frequent causes of allergic reactions in dogs are eggs, followed by pork, chicken, lamb, beef, rabbit, and fish. Give your dog just a little bit if it’s his first time eating raw eggs.
Once he has finished eating, keep an eye out for symptoms of allergies, including vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, itching, redness of the skin, and scratching. If your dog displays any of these signs, take him to the vet right away.
Biotin Deficiency
The risk of biotin deficiency is another issue when it comes to feeding raw eggs to dogs. The metabolism of fatty acids and the growth of new cells both depend on the B vitamin biotin. A dog with balanced biotin levels will clearly have healthy skin and fur.
Avidin, a protein that serves as a biotin inhibitor, is found in raw eggs, more specifically, raw egg whites. This interferes with how biotin works in the body and may lead to a biotin deficiency. But it’s crucial to remember that this condition doesn’t happen without a lot of avidins.
A typical dog would need to eat at least ten eggs daily to become deficient in biotin, according to raw egg feeders. It is less likely to result in this condition if you occasionally give your dog raw eggs.
Additionally, the egg yolk is a good source of biotin, which supports the balance of the biotin-avidin scales.
Risk Of Salmonella Contamination
Salmonella contamination can happen when raw foods are consumed, including chicken products like eggs. Both humans and dogs can contract the foodborne illness salmonella.
Diarrhea, vomiting, sluggishness, appetite loss, and fever are the most typical signs of this medical condition. Salmonella infection is seriously risky for puppies, senior dogs, and canines with compromised immune systems.
To conclude, healthy dogs with robust immune systems rarely contract salmonella from raw eggs.
The truth is that we are at greater risk of contracting salmonella than our canine or feline friends. The frequent instances of humans getting salmonellosis from tainted raw eggs in humans fuel the fear of dogs getting the illness.
Salmonellosis is thought to be prevented by a dog’s short and extremely acidic digestive tract. That’s because it prevents the bacteria in the dog’s digestive system from thriving and growing. No matter what, it is wise to exercise caution when giving your dog raw eggs.
Make sure the raw eggs are purchased from a reliable source. Choose organic or free-range eggs if at all possible. Then keep the eggs somewhere spick-and-span, cool, and dry. By doing this, the chance of salmonella contamination will be reduced.
Nutrition Imbalance
The nutritional composition of your dog’s daily diet may change if you add raw eggs to its food. Small dog breeds like the Maltese are quite prone to this.
One egg yolk already accounts for a sizable portion of the breed’s daily calorie and food intake. The dog may receive fewer nutrients as a result, increasing the possibility of malnutrition.
According to a human study, cooking eggs increases the amount of protein that our bodies can absorb by 90%. Our bodies can only assimilate 50% of the proteins in raw eggs, on the other hand. Dogs are thought to experience this in a similar way. Since this study concentrated on humans as opposed to dogs, more research is needed to establish this.
How Much Raw Egg Should A Dog Eat?
If given occasionally, raw eggs are beneficial for dogs. In general, 10% of their daily calories should come from treats like raw eggs. Dogs should only be given 1-2 raw eggs per day or roughly 1-2 times per week.
Before altering what your dog eats, make sure to first speak with a veterinarian. You can use their assistance to determine whether it is a suitable addition to his diet. They can also tell you how many raw eggs he can eat each day without getting sick.
Begin introducing small amounts of raw eggs into your dog’s diet. Our furry friends’ digestive systems are delicate.
A sudden change in their diet may cause digestive issues like diarrhea, an upset stomach, and vomiting. He should never be overfed when trying to eat raw eggs for the first time.
Alternatives To Raw Eggs For Dogs
Although cooked eggs are still protein powerhouses containing a ton of essential fatty and amino acids, raw eggs are not a good choice for dogs’ diets.
There are many ways to introduce cooked eggs into your dog’s diet, including:
- Adding scrambled eggs as a meal topper
- Feeding your dog bits of plain-boiled egg
- Using bits of the fully cooked egg as cost-effective training treats
- Making your dog special egg puff treats
Commercial treats can also contain eggs, like these crunchy egg and cheese dog treats.
Are Cooked Eggs OK For Dogs?
Cooking eggs lessens the risk of salmonella, so feeding cooked eggs to dogs is safe. However, it can also dissolve some of the vitamins and minerals present in eggs. Eggs are a healthy food for dogs, and they can be eaten scrambled, boiled, fried, or poached. These should all be prepared simply, though.
Avoid purchasing food products with eggs as much as you can. These consist of egg salad, egg noodles, and egg rolls. They frequently contain a lot of salt, fat, and spices. They could also include harmful ingredients like raisins, garlic, and onions. The future effects of feeding them to your dog will be dangerous.
Conclusions
Given the information above, it appears that even though dogs can eat raw eggs, they probably shouldn’t. Raw eggs are more trouble than they’re really worth due to the possibility of contracting salmonella and the fact that they aren’t more nutrient-dense than cooked eggs. If your dog is ill, very young, or old, take this into consideration more carefully. Additionally, think about your health as well as the health of your family members and pets.
