Can dogs eat raw eggs?
In this article, we will answer the question,” Can dogs eat raw eggs?” along with some other questions like are eggs good for dogs? Is eggshell good for dogs? And how to feed your dog eggs?
Can dogs eat raw eggs?
No, dogs cannot eat raw eggs. Raw eggs have various pathogens that are dangerous for your dog’s health. The major of them is salmonella which is a notorious pathogen responsible for food allergies. Raw eggs are also deficient in certain kinds of nutrients, which is essential for a dog’s body.
Why can’t you feed your dog raw eggs?
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t feed your dog raw eggs. Following are some reasons why you shouldn’t feed your dog a raw diet:
Salmonella and E.coli
Salmonella and E.coli are both very dangerous and zoonotic pathogens. Zoonotic pathogen means it can spread infection from animals to human beings.
Salmonella is a common pathogen in the GI tract of animals. When an animal is under stress, these pathogens take advantage of that and spread infection in the body. It multiplies and causes disease in the body.
E.coli is also an inhabitant of the body, and it is as pathogenic as salmonella. These two pathogens are present in raw eggs. These two bacteria take advantage when the immune system of the body is under stress.
Following are the clinical sign of these bacterial infections in dogs:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sometimes blood in feces
If it spreads to human beings, it can be dangerous for human beings too.
A vitamin deficiency-Biotin
Biotin is required by your dog’s body to carry out many functions in the body. It has a wide variety of functions starting from digestion and metabolism to healthy skin.
Raw eggs are deficient in this vitamin. The reason why raw eggs are deficient in biotin is because egg white have avidin, which is responsible for preventing the absorption of biotin in the body. Biotin deficiency is not very common in dogs, but you should look out for it.
Allergic reactions
You must have heard that dogs are allergic to dairy products including eggs. Some dogs are allergic to eggs, but not all.
Look out for the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions in your dogs. Following are some signs of allergic reaction in dogs:
- Problem in breathing
- Hives
- Sneezing
- Swelling on skin
- Rashes on skin
So far, we have discussed problems with raw eggs. Now let’s dive into details of the benefits of eggs.
Are eggs good for your dog?
In general, eggs are very beneficial for your dog. As for us, eggs are a good source of protein and other nutrients. Same for the dogs, eggs are a good breakfast, whether there are scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, or poached eggs.
Following are the reasons why eggs are good for your dogs:
Iron
Eggs are a good source of iron. Iron is very important for the body. Iron is present in RBCs in a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is responsible for oxygen-carrying in the body.
In case of low oxygen in the body, the animal is unable to provide oxygen to the vital organs.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is required for vision. The deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness, which is very common in old age. Eggs have an adequate amount of vitamin A.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is needed for the brain to function properly. It is also essential to prevent anemia by the formation of RBCs in the body. Eggs are a good source of vitamin B12. A single egg has an adequate amount of vitamin B12.
Other nutrients
Eggs are also a source of other important nutrients like selenium, folate, fatty acids, and riboflavin. These nutrients are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Are eggshells good for your dog?
Eggshells are very healthy for your dog. If your dog is suffering from joint problems, eggshells can prove very beneficial. Eggshells have Collagen, Hyaluronic acid, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin. These compounds help in relieving joint problems.
Eggshell is a good source of calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are important for dogs’ bones.
How many eggs can you feed your dog?
It depends upon many factors like age, sex, activity level, and breed. It is very important that you should know the above factors related to your dog before giving eggs to your dog.
One full egg is good for your dog on a daily basis.
How to feed eggs to your dog?
The best way to give them is in the form of a hard-boiled chopped egg. Store the eggs in refrigerators.
Other FAQs about Eggs that you may be interested in.
Can I substitute egg yolks for whole eggs?
Can pickled eggs go in the fridge?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the query, “Can dogs eat raw eggs?” We also discussed other questions like why raw eggs are not safe? What are the benefits of eggs? And how much should you feed eggs to your dog?
References
https://www.australianeggs.org.au/questions/can-dogs-eat-eggs
https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2021/01/05/can-dogs-eat-raw-eggs/
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/can-dogs-eat-eggs
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/feeding-your-dog-raw-eggs-good-or-bad/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_multi_eggs_for_pets2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collagen
