Does your dog like eggs? He doesn’t like how eggs are cooked, but what about the raw? Can dogs also eat raw eggs?
Although most of us do like eating raw cookie dough or tasting cake dough before going into the oven, the feeling of eating a thin, sticky, raw egg is a little stomach-churning.
Considering some of the gross items that dogs happily eat, raw eggs no longer seem weird, right?
Eggs-Benefits of Raw Eggs for Dogs
So, can dogs eat raw eggs? Yes, they can, but why should they?
Eggs are one of nature’s absolute protein sources and are packed with amino and fatty acids that are very good for your dog’s skin and coat.
They also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B, riboflavin, folate, iron and selenium, making raw eggs a superfood for dogs.
In fact, eggs are already used in many commercial pets, such as Nutram, Blue Buffalo, and Carna 4, to provide valuable protein and essential nutrients in the diet.
Eggs are very healthy, brands like Big Country Raw have started offering frozen raw duck and quail eggs as an easy and tasty meal topper.
Are Raw Eggs for Dogs safe? Common egg myths
Yes, eggs are healthy for dogs, so the question is: Is it safe for your dog to feed raw eggs? Here are some common safety issues when eating raw eggs for dogs:
Myth # 1
We have been told not to eat raw eggs because of the Salmonella risk, but dogs can process more bacteria than we can.
Dogs bite carnivores, and this is a carnivorous digestive system that allows them to safely eat raw foods such as meat, bones and eggs. The high acidic environment of their stomachs and bile allows harmful bacteria like salmonella to pass safely through their digestive system without being exposed to the population or any ill effects.
Myth # 2
Another myth when your dog eats raw or boiled eggs is that the egg white contains a biotin (vitamin B7) inhibitor called avidin. If this is true, egg yolks contain a lot of biotin, which can affect avidin whites. As long as they are fed together, the risk of biotin deficiency is almost non-existent.
You should give your dog unhealthy eggs to provide enough avidin to cause harmful effects on your dog’s biotin intake.
How many eggs should I give my dog?
Now that we know that raw eggs are beneficial, we need to discuss how many eggs are appropriate to feed them. Depending on your dog’s size and his caloric needs, you can feed him eggs several times a week.
There are many variables, including breed, age, weight, their current diet, level of activity, and how healthy the pet is. An egg has about 55-75 calories, so consider it and adjust their regular meal accordingly to the extra calories.
If you have a small dog, beat the egg and feed the egg over some meal. Larger breeds can usually handle the calories of a full egg, but if you are counting calories or your dog is on a lazy bed potato, feed raw eggs less often throughout the week.
You can add raw egg to their regular dog food or make an extra special treat between meals. Either way, it gives excellent nutritional boost in your pet’s diet.
You know your pet better than anyone. So pay attention to any changes in your dog’s behavior, appetite and digestion. Any changes in the dog’s diet can quickly cause abdominal pain, changes in gas and stool quality.