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When dogs were in the wild, they could snatch eggs out of birds’ nests and eat them raw. Today, dogs don’t need to hunt for their own food, but eggs still provide a good amount of protein for dogs. As long as eggs are consumed safely, they can make excellent treats or dietary supplements for dogs.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Eggs can be a great source of nutrition for dogs. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog, inside and out.
Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from. Try to feed your dog eggs that are from free-range farm hens fed an organic diet. If you can get them from a trusted source, that is ideal. Just like us, chickens are as healthy as what they eat, and healthier chickens lay healthier, more nutritious eggs.
Before feeding your dog eggs, talk to your vet. Some dogs with medical conditions shouldn’t eat eggs, so always check first. Consuming too many eggs can also lead to health problems like obesity, so talk to your vet about the appropriate amount of eggs to feed your dog.
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With that said, sometimes eggs can be used to help settle upset stomachs. Also, it’s not a good idea to use eggs as your dog’s main meal. But when served cooked, eggs can be a great occasional treat.
How Can Eggs Help Dogs?
Eggs provide important minerals and vitamins for dogs, including:
- Iron
- Fatty acids
- Folate
- Protein
- Riboflavin
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
These nutrients and vitamins help support your dog’s overall health, as well as their skin and coat.
Can I Feed My Dog Raw Egg?
Most veterinarians recommend cooking eggs fully before feeding them to your dog.There are a few concerns about feeding raw eggs to dogs that owners should be aware of, including:
- Salmonella: Dogs may be at risk of coming into contact with salmonella bacteria when eating raw eggs or other raw foods. Owners who feed raw eggs to dogs could also be exposed to salmonella. If a dog eats an egg contaminated by salmonella, they could get an infection called salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
- Biotin deficiency: Feeding raw eggs can lead to biotin deficiency, as egg whites contain avidin, an enzyme that prevents the absorption of biotin in the body. Biotin is a vitamin that supports healthy skin, metabolism, cells, and digestion. Biotin deficiencies are rare in dogs, but they can happen.
- Bacteria: As eggs go bad, they can grow bacteria that can harm your dog.
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Dogs can also be allergic to various sources of protein, including eggs. Watch your dog for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, swelling, hives, problems breathing, lethargy, or coughing.
Before feeding raw eggs to your dog, talk to your vet.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Raw Egg
If your dog eats raw egg, monitor them for any problematic symptoms, including the symptoms of salmonellosis. It’s also a good idea to chat with your vet and take your dog in for a check-up, just in case.
Can Dogs Eat Eggshells? Are Eggshells Nutritious for Dogs?
Before giving your dog eggshells, talk to your vet first. Eggshells contain calcium, which some dogs may need to be supplemented in their diets. However, there are easier ways to give your dog more calcium, and eggshells aren’t the tastiest option. Plus, egg shells have sharp edges that can hurt your dog’s throat or internal organs.
Eggshells can help older, arthritic dogs. Eggshell membranes significantly reduced joint pain and improved joint function in 51 dogs experiencing a range of joint problems, according to a 2016 study. If your dog has arthritis, your vet may recommend supplements or medication to help their symptoms.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Eggs
Eggs should be cooked before being given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain, without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesn’t matter how your dog likes their eggs — sunny side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled — as long as they are fully cooked. There are several ways to integrate eggs into your dog’s diet, from the occasional bite of hardboiled egg to sprinkled scrambled eggs on top of dog food.
Start by feeding your dog just one egg. Watch them for any signs of gastrointestinal distress, like diarrhea or vomiting. As long as they don’t show any digestive discomfort, you should have no trouble giving them eggs.
FAQs
Takeaways. Dogs can eat eggs as long as they're fully cooked. Eggs are packed with nutrients that can be a healthy supplement to your dog's diet. Like humans, some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to eggs, so be sure to check for any signs of allergic reaction after feeding them eggs.
What is the best way to feed your dog eggs? ›
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Eggs. Eggs should be cooked before being given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain, without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesn't matter how your dog likes their eggs — sunny side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled — as long as they are fully cooked.
How much egg can I give my dog? ›
Large dogs can safely consume up to one whole egg in a day while smaller dogs should be limited to one small egg per week, and no more than ¼ of an egg per day. Make sure to factor in the extra calories you're feeding—remember one egg is about 70 calories—and don't exceed your dog's daily caloric allowance.
Are scrambled eggs OK for dogs? ›
Scrambled eggs are ok as an occasional treat, as long as you offer them plain scrambled eggs, without any added salt, pepper or butter. This means that you should avoid sharing your breakfast with your pet, as it's likely to contain seasoning we humans enjoy, but that can be detrimental to your pet's health.
Is it OK to put raw egg in dog food? ›
Yes, eggs are healthy for dogs both raw and cooked. In fact, they are rich in nutrients and can promote healthy skin and strong bones. Unlike some human foods, eggs are a great way to promote your dog's health as long as you don't feed too many eggs.
Do vets recommend eggs for dogs? ›
Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.
Is it better to give dogs raw or cooked eggs? ›
Eggs should be always be cooked before given to your dog. Cook or boil the eggs plain without oil, butter, salt, or any other additives. We suggest making scrambled eggs, as it's much easier for your dog to digest and can provide quick access to the protein dogs need for maintaining lean muscle and energy.
Is it OK to give a dog an egg everyday? ›
Eggs are rich in avidin, which inhibits the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin. However egg yolks are a very good source of biotin, so you can safely feed your dog a raw egg every day. Cooking will also destroy the avidin for extra safety.
Do eggs help with dog's itchy skin? ›
Yes, eggs can help alleviate itchy skin in dogs.
However, some dogs can have an intolerance to eggs so it's important to make sure that you start off by feeding them a small amount of egg and monitor their reaction.
Can dogs have cheese? ›
In most cases, yes, dogs can eat cheese. When given in moderation, it can make a great high reward training treat (particularly when there's lots of distractions). Most dogs adore the taste of it too! It's important to remember that some cheeses have added ingredients, which need to be avoided.
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.
Is tuna good for dogs? ›
Tuna is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins – all important nutrients for a dog's health and wellbeing. It also contains Omega 3 fatty acids which are good for the health of the skin, coat and cardiovascular system. This means that tuna is useful in some dog foods as a source of various nutrients.
Is Bacon good for a dog? ›
Bacon isn't recommended even as an occasional treat for dogs since it's so high in salt and fat. This rich food can even cause pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening for dogs. Signs of pancreatitis include lethargy, dehydration, vomiting, loss of appetite, hunched back and fever.
Is peanut butter good for your dog? ›
' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products. Xylitol is the only ingredient in peanut butter that's bad for dogs.
Can dogs have bread? ›
In short, the answer is yes, dogs can eat bread safely in moderation, as long as it's fully baked and doesn't contain toxic ingredients like raisins, garlic, seeds or chocolate.
Can dogs eat rice? ›
The answer is yes. Rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods. Many pet owners feed white rice to their sick dog. One of the reasons white rice is the chosen grain for a dog with an upset stomach is that it's easy to digest, quick to prepare, and low in fiber.
What is the healthiest way to cook eggs for dogs? ›
Steam hard-boiled eggs.
Hard-boiled eggs for dogs are quick and easy and steaming is the best, most foolproof way to cook eggs. Place cold eggs on a rack in a pot with 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and cook for 10 to twelve minutes, depending on the size of the egg.
Is it OK to give dogs eggs everyday? ›
Eggs are rich in avidin, which inhibits the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin. However egg yolks are a very good source of biotin, so you can safely feed your dog a raw egg every day. Cooking will also destroy the avidin for extra safety.
Can I add an egg to my dogs food everyday? ›
Dogs can eat a little bit of egg each day, but it's important to feed eggs like you would any treat. “Eggs are about 70 calories each, so how much you feed depends on your dog's size. Keep the 10 Percent Treat Rule in mind. The egg you feed should only make up 10 percent of your dog's total daily calories.
