Can Dogs Eat Eggs? » Trusty Paw Pal

Can dogs eat eggs? The answer is yes, dogs can, and actually should have eggs. Continue reading to find out why…

Are Eggs Good For Dogs? – Find Out The Health Benefits

The same benefits that humans reap from them are also true for dogs, especially since they are incredibly rich in protein and other helpful nutrients such as vitamins. Dogs thrive on proteins, and the fact that it is readily available in eggs makes it a convenient food for them. That said, let us see why they are actually good for your dogs.

1. Protein, loads of Protein

Proteins are ideally the building blocks of the body, and they are important for facilitating the growth and development of new cells, and the repair of worn out cells. Just one egg contains up to 6.3% of protein that your dog’s body requires to fully thrive. In addition, there are a total of 9 essential amino acids inside an egg, making it a fully packed food that is great for your dog.

2. High levels of good cholesterol

Cholesterol is one of those elements that humans should stay away from, and in the same breath, you should make certain that your canine also stays away from unhealthy quantities. The good news is, an egg has the right kind of cholesterol which is known to facilitate healthy cardiovascular functions, reducing the chances of your dog suffering heart related conditions.

3. Lots of Vitamins and other nutrients

Aside from having a good deal of protein, eggs are also quite rich in both vitamins and minerals. These essentially are great for maintaining optimal physiological functions, as well as improving immunity in your dog’s body. Eggs contain Vitamin D, loads of folate, riboflavin (Vitamin B12), selenium and Vitamins A, B5, B12, and E. there are also such elements as iodine, phosphorus and iron which are also quite beneficial to your dog’s body.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Right from impacting positive brain development to enhancing cells’ cell membranes, omega-3 fatty acids are known to assist the body as a whole to grow and develop as it ideally should. They are not just great for humans, they are also great for dogs and cats, and an ample quantity of eggs would actually mean that you do not have to spend loads of money on omega-3 supplements. Aside from enhancing the overall functions of the body, this nutrient also helps with vision, allowing your canine to enjoy a good length of sight.

5. High in anti-oxidants

Eggs are rich in two types of anti-oxidants which are zeaxanthin and lutein. These two are found in abundance in multiple plant sources, but research has shown that often times, they are better absorbed when they are made available to the body through eggs. They are ideal for supporting optimal sight and eye development, as well as keeping away issues that may affect the retina, especially in old age.

6. They are incredibly filling

This protein rich food is also credited for promoting a feeling of fullness in the stomach. This way, your dog is likely to eat smaller portions, a characteristic that comes in handy if you have a dog that is slightly overweight, or one whose feeding routine you would like to keep an eye on.

So, in what way should you feed your dog eggs for a healthy lifestyle?

Feeding your Dog Eggs – How to go about it

Eggs can ideally be fed to dogs in two ways; boiled or fried. Boiled eggs are considered the healthiest especially since most of the nutrients stay intact. You should, however, be careful not to boil the egg too long since it tends to lose the essence of most of its nutrients. Remember that an egg is largely protein in nature, and so it tends to get denatured by heat, a characteristic that could make it nutritionally unavailable and indigestible to your dog.

In the case of fried eggs, also try and keep from extremely high levels of heat for the same reason as above. Try and get it to cook well, however, to reduce the chances that your dog may fall sick in case they have a sensitive stomach.

As an alternative, if you have no problem baking treats for your dogs, you can incorporate the egg into the recipe so that you do not necessarily have to serve it as a whole egg.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?

There has long been a notion that giving your dog raw eggs could actually cause them to become sick, especially due to contamination from salmonella. However, it has also been proven that dogs actually steal bird eggs from nests, and they eat them raw. It is believed that they actually have the capacity to handle any form of contamination. However, with domesticated dogs, you need to be very careful, especially if there is a history of a sensitive gut. It is most recommended that you serve your dog cooked eggs.

Can Dogs Suffer Egg Allergies?

Yes, they can. In most instances, dogs do not react to the egg as a whole, but to the egg yolk which is largely the most nutrient rich component of the egg. Often times, the canine reacts to the protein present in the egg, and you may notice a lot of discomfort in the dog. So, how can you tell that your dog is allergic to eggs?

You will notice such symptoms as;

Skin rashes
Infections on the skin
Extremely swollen feet
Balding on the skin
Chronic gassiness
Ear infections
Coughing
Face rubbing
Biting paws
Stunted growth, especially in puppies
Wheezing
Vomiting

As you can tell from the symptoms, it can get uncomfortable, and sometimes extremely painful when a dog has an egg allergy. In case you notice any of these symptoms, it is advisable that you rush your pet to the veterinarian for diagnosis and management since the allergy a prove fatal in some cases.

An egg allergy could also trigger a phenomenon called anaphylactic shock which is extremely dangerous and that could lead to death in case it goes unchecked. Below are some of the symptoms associated with anaphylactic shock.

Trouble breathing
Coma – general unresponsiveness
Cold limbs
Extremely high heart rate
Excessive drooling
Seizures
Low blood pressure
Pale gums
Diarrhea
Vomiting

So, what action should you take in case your dog is diagnosed with egg allergies?

Simple – discontinue eggs in the dog’s diet. The truth is that it may actually take a while for the swelling and skin irritation to subside, but this is the only way to make sure that your dog does not experience any such issues again in the future.

In case the skin infections and rashes are too many, your veterinarian might recommend a corticosteroid that will get rid of the said symptoms and allow your dog to feel more at ease over time. This is not medication against the allergy, though, and it only works to eliminate the symptoms so that your canine is a lot more comfortable.

Dangers of Feeding Your Dog Too Much Eggs

Having established that your dog actually needs eggs in their diet, it is important to recognize that a little control is actually recommended. As cliché would have it, too much of something is actually poisonous.

When consumed in excess, your dog may actually suffer indigestion issues, especially since they have been proven to contain certain enzyme inhibitors which are largely found in the egg whites. These enzymes have the capacity to interfere with the digestive process, particularly in puppies and in dogs that are advanced in age.

In addition, egg whites contain a compound called avidin which is a biotin inhibitor. Biotin is a type of Vitamin B that helps in the cellular growth of your dog, as well as the development of a healthy skin and coat. However, it would take copious amounts of eggs to actually cause this deficiency, and so it is quite rare.

However, if you do not notice any adverse effects on your dog’s digestive functions, you can increase portions from an egg a week to 3 or 4, but remember to still exercise control.

Can Dogs Egg Shells?

Egg shells are actually an incredibly rich source of calcium which is important in your canine’s body for proper bone formation. However, you need to recognize that calcium synthesis an absorption is not as easy as 1, 2, 3, and giving your dog crushed egg shells does not necessarily mean that they are getting the calcium they ought to.

The better approach would be to consult with your dog’s vet for advice on how to go about supplementing your canine’s calcium intake.

What Can Your Dog Eat if it is Allergic to Eggs?

In case your canine has an egg allergy, there are several alternatives that may prove quite ideal and even helpful in your dog’s diet. Below are a couple.

Salmon – This is actually a fatty fish that is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that are ideal for a myriad of physiological functions, and the development of a healthy skin and coat. It is also incredibly rich in protein and, therefore, makes an excellent food for your pet. Before serving salmon, make sure that it is cooked all the way through.
Yoghurt – This food is known to be rich in protein, calcium and probiotics which are ideal for healthy gastro intestinal functioning. When purchasing for your dog, go for natural yoghurt that does not have sugar or flavor.
Flax/ Lin seed – This little grain is packed with protein, soluble fiber, omega 3 and vitamins. It is an incredible food for dogs and humans, and it is known to promote overall body wellness, and it is easy to digest.
Oatmeal – Rich in soluble fiber, oatmeal proves quite helpful in the digestive functions of a dog. It is actually recommended for dogs that are advanced in age, and that have trouble digesting their food as well as they should.

Conclusion

Dogs can eat eggs, they are considered a super food, largely for the high quantities of nutrients they contain, and seeing as dogs thrive on protein, it would do them a whole lot of good to have eggs in their diet.

It is advisable, however, to find out whether or not your dog reacts to eggs before going full throttle, especially when you do not know much about your pet’s interaction with eggs. Otherwise, it would prove incredibly beneficial to your dog, especially if it is still growing, to have eggs in their meals constantly.