If you occasionally make homemade dog treats, you might be unsure about the safety of putting a cracked raw egg on top of his food. Eggs are effective sources of a variety of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins, so including them in your dog’s diet is a good idea. However, there is a raging argument between scientists and pet owners about whether or not it is safe to feed raw eggs to dogs.
People have long been concerned about the potential risks associated with fresh eggs, and as a result, pet owners have always questioned the safety of feeding uncooked eggs to their dogs.
In this article, I’ll discuss the frequent disagreements surrounding the use of cracked eggs in dog food and provide you with information on how to proceed properly.
Risks of Feeding Raw Eggs to Dogs
One risk that worries veterinary professionals is the potential for foodborne illnesses like salmonella. Bacteria like e. Any raw food can be contaminated with E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella if it isn’t cooked to kill the pathogens. PetMD does point out that there haven’t been any significant health-related incidents involving feeding dogs raw eggs as of yet. However, this does not rule out the possibility of one in the future. If you are not using safe food handling procedures, you should take into account the risk to humans when handling raw food.
If your dog is raw-fed, their gastric pH is lower, and better equipped to handle raw eggs and other raw foods than those that are fed kibble. That doesnt necessarily mean dogs that are kibble-fed shouldnt be fed raw eggs, but you may notice some diarrhea or loose stool when first starting to incorporate the raw eggs into a kibble-fed dogs diet.
Another concern about adding raw eggs to a dogs food is the presence of the enzyme avidin. Egg whites are high in avidin, and it can cause problems with biotin absorption. Biotin, or vitamin B7, found in egg yolks, is critical for a dogs health, and disruption in biotin processing can harm cell growth and fat metabolism, as well as affect the health of a dogs coat and skin. Feeding a dog a raw egg occasionally is not likely to cause problems between avidin and biotin, but the more often they are fed, the higher the risk. However, raw egg feeders also respond that biotin deficiency is quite rare and you would have to feed the average dog eight to 10 eggs a day to create the conditions for it to occur.
Theres also a concern that allowing a dog to eat a raw egg, including the eggshell, can be a choking hazard. It could also cause dental problems if a shard cuts into a dogs gums. Some raw dog feeders take the raw egg shells and allow them to dry, then run them through a coffee grinder or a blender, thus removing the chance of choking and dental damage. You can mix the eggshell powder you create into their dog food and even keep it in an airtight container for future use.
Eggs can also upset a dogs nutritional imbalance, especially if youre feeding them to a smaller dog and more often. While eggs contain many wonderful nutrients, theyre also high in cholesterol, although theres little evidence that dogs get the same types of diseases that humans do from cholesterol. Another concern is the digestibility of protein. A study on humans found that when humans ate cooked eggs, they were able to absorb 90% of protein from the eggs whereas they only were able to absorb 50% from the raw eggs. However, while thats a striking difference, it should be noted this was a study on humans, not dogs, and the sample size of five patients for the study is very small.
Are Eggs A Salmonella Risk For Dogs?
While you might be concerned that eating raw eggs could make you sick, dogs have strong digestive juices that make it possible for them to handle bacteria in raw foods, including salmonella. To keep the bacterial levels normal, there are a few factors you should take into account when selecting your eggs.
The welfare of the hen that produces the eggs is crucial. Your dog should ideally consume eggs from healthy, organic, pasture-raised chickens.
Feed your dog high-quality eggs that have been kept at a cool temperature to keep bacteria under control.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs? Can Dogs Eat Cooked Eggs?
Yes, cooked eggs are safe for dogs to eat, whether they are hard-boiled or scrambled. The need to cook the eggs is the primary goal. Do not feed raw eggs to dogs.
Due to their excellent source of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein, eggs are beneficial for canines.
Dogs can essentially eat the entire egg, including the eggshell.
Yes, puppies can eat eggs. Eggs provide puppies with the same nutritional value as they do adult dogs.
FAQ
Is it OK to put raw egg in dog food?
Although cooked eggs can be a healthy treat for your dog, raw eggs are dangerous and should never be given to them. Similar to humans, dogs can contract harmful salmonella from eating raw eggs, which can then spread to their pet parents (especially those with weakened immune systems).
Can I put an egg in my dogs food everyday?
All that is advised for your dog is one egg per day. Add a cooked egg to your dog’s diet if you want to introduce eggs to it. Verify that it doesn’t cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the stomach. Give them eggs more frequently if there are no issues.
Is it OK to give your dog a cooked egg?
Yes, cooked eggs are safe for dogs to eat, whether they are hard-boiled or scrambled. The need to cook the eggs is the primary goal. Do not feed raw eggs to dogs.