Nature’s perfectly packed and delicious protein: the egg! The versatility that eggs bring to the kitchen is out of this world! You can cook them in so many ways. They can be appetizers, main courses, side dishes, or even desserts. But what about our furry friend, the dog? Can dogs eat raw eggs?
Read on to learn more about feeding your dog raw eggs and their benefits.
Are Raw Eggs Good for Dogs?
Your canine companion has a nose several times more sensitive to food odors than yours. If you are cooking a delicious breakfast of sunny-side-up eggs, scrambled eggs, omelets, or even boiled eggs, your dog will be right beside you, waiting for you to throw him a bit.
But have you ever been tempted to feed your dog raw eggs? Maybe when whisking up your eggs, you thought about adding some of the raw egg mixture to your dog’s food. It is just a harmless egg, after all!
But is it really harmless for your dog?
The answer is yes! Dogs can eat raw eggs. Raw eggs are a nutritious and delicious addition to your dog’s raw diet. You can feed raw eggs to your dog a couple of times a week.
Remember that in the wild, before dogs were domesticated, they were hunters and scavengers. Dogs and wolves would eat whole eggs from nests that were left unattended. Therefore, it is fine for you to feed your dog raw eggs! As a matter of fact, their stomachs are biologically built to eat raw diets.
Benefits of Raw Eggs for Dogs
Raw eggs contain a lot of good stuff, such as:
- Vitamin A
- Riboflavin
- Folate
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Selenium
- Fatty Acids
- 6 grams of protein
All these nutrients help support your dog’s overall health and keep its coat shiny.
Vitamins help by serving the metabolism, immune function, growth, and development. Fatty acids are essential for building and maintaining body cells.Amino acids are present in egg whites. They are broken down for their protein. Protein is crucial for dogs because it helps build and maintain muscle.
The best type of eggs to feed your dog is from free-range hens. If you can get them from a trusted source, that’s even better! The healthier the hen you get the eggs from, the more nutritious the eggs will be.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?
Feeding your dog eggs 3-4 times a week is okay. However, you should talk to your vet about how many eggs you can feed your dog. Vets have a specialized method of calculating the number of eggs your dog can digest, which relies on weight, activity, and other health issues.
Dogs with underlying health issues should avoid eating raw eggs. They can contain salmonella, a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Can Puppies Eat Raw Eggs?
Yes, just as adult dogs can eat raw eggs, puppies can, too. However, you might want to reduce the portion by giving your puppy one egg spread out over 2 or 3 days. This is because their stomachs are smaller in size, as are their bodies.
Can Senior Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?
Yes! If you have a senior dog, you can feed it raw eggs 2-3 times a week, and he will thank you for it! Raw eggs provide healthy proteins and fatty acids, which are essential for muscle strength. So, a senior dog can definitely eat raw eggs!
Can Pregnant Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?
Raw egg is a perfect addition to your pregnant or nursing dog’s diet. Because it contains proteins and nutrients essential for the growth of developing puppies, adding it to your dog’s diet will prove beneficial for puppies. It will also make their coats shiny and healthy.
Can Dogs Eat Eggshells?
What do you do after you crack an egg? Throw away the shell, of course! But, if you are a dog owner, don’t throw the shell away. Your dog can eat that, too! Eggshells provide an excellent nutritional boost to your dog.
Eggshells contain:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
And several other nutritious minerals that are good for bone health, muscle strength, healthy teeth, and gums. They are also very beneficial for older dogs because they help reduce joint pain and improve joint function. Not to mention, your dog will love the crunchy treat!
Conclusion
Eggs are a very healthy and nutritious addition to any meal, be it human or dog. Dogs are carnivorous animals that hunt and gather their food in the wild. After they became our friends, these canines no longer needed to hunt for food.
Now, it’s up to us to provide our furry friends with the best diet possible. Eggs are an excellent addition to your pup’s diet. You can give your dog a whole egg, including the egg white, yolk, and eggshell. The entire egg is full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which are essential for your dog’s health. And if you are worried that your dog may face stomach issues after eating a raw egg, remember that their stomachs are built to digest and process raw food.
FAQs
Can I Give My Dog a Raw Egg Every Day?
Giving your dog a raw egg every day may not be a good idea. Because of the high amount of cholesterol in egg yolks, this can lead to cardiac issues and weight gain for your pup. Feeding it raw eggs 3-4 times a week is enough for a healthy diet.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs with Kibble?
Yes, you can crack a whole egg over your dog’s kibble. Your dog will love the healthy addition to his everyday meals.
Can I Crack a Raw Egg Over My Dog’s Food?
Yes, cracking an egg open over your dog’s regular meals is one of the most convenient ways to feed it.
