One thing that seems to come up for all pet-owners is the question of whether or not they can share food with their animal. As a pet owner myself, I’m guilty of the same burning questions! Is it alright to share our favorite foods with our favorite fur-companions? What foods are okay, and what foods aren’t? Now that the U.S. is moving into spring, some foods are more tempting than others. For instance, many would agree that there’s nothing quite like whipping up some omelets on a nice spring day! This, of course, leads to the inevitable question of: can dogs eat eggs?
Clearly, there is a significant love for eggs among humans. But how does the love for eggs among humans compare to the love for eggs among dogs? Do eggs give the same benefits to dogs as they do for us? Can dogs eat eggs? Thankfully, Furzly has decided to dive into the world of egg-consumption for dogs in order to provide some insight!
Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
The good news is: yes, dogs can eat eggs- if done appropriately. The bad news is: after reading this, you might have to start sharing some of your breakfast! Let’s be honest, though- this probably isn’t quite bad news. There’s nothing better than sharing a snack with your pet, especially when it’s a safe and healthy one. And while it may surprise you, eggs aren’t entirely a new concept to the canine world.
The truth is that there is a long history of dogs eating eggs. Long before their humans slipped bits of egg under the table, dogs were known to steal eggs straight out of birds’ nests. Of course, this is no longer a needed survival tool for our dog companions. However, it suggests that eggs are nothing new to our canine friends. And fortunately for us, this means we have yet another treat we can share with our dogs! But before you start doubling your egg orders, let’s look at the benefits and risks of giving dogs eggs. Like all foods, it is important to assess the appropriate way in which to feed eggs to your dog.
Benefits of Giving Eggs to Your Dog
Like humans, dogs can receive many benefits from consuming eggs. In fact, using eggs in homemade dog food recipes is encouraged! But what exactly are the benefits of feeding your dog eggs, and do they outweigh the risks? Here are some of the added bonuses of feeding eggs to your dog:
- Just like eggs provide a good source of protein to humans, they provide protein for dogs as well
- Eggs also contain many essential fatty and amino acids which can improve a dog’s diet
- They can even be used to help treat your dog’s upset stomach
- Pieces of egg make for a nutritious and healthy treat alternative
- Best of all, your dog will probably love how they taste!
There’s a reason that dogs were known for stealing and eating eggs from nests. Aside from tasting great, eggs provide loads of nutrition and essential acids- all of which are beneficial. This is wonderful news for us humans! Because eggs are proven to be so great, you shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to share them with your furry pal. However, answering ‘can dogs eat eggs’ doesn’t exactly answer how to feed them eggs. In order to provide a safe diet for your pet, you have to answer both! To do this, we’ll have to explore some of the risks of feeding eggs to your dog.
Risks of Giving Eggs to Your Dog
A lot of the foods that we feed our dogs come with their own risks and guidelines. Sadly, eggs are not an exception. While eggs are generally safe and even an encouraged snack, there are a few things to consider. For one, it is crucial to know that there are added risks depending on how you prepare the eggs. Specifically, feeding raw eggs to your dog adds risks that are different from cooked eggs:
- Like humans, dogs are at risk of getting salmonella
- Excessive consumption of raw egg whites may result in a biotin deficiency
In general, handling of raw eggs is risky for both humans and their canines and should be avoided if possible. Although the risks of salmonella and biotin deficiency are rare, they are still definitely possible and can cause serious health concerns. Because of this, it is recommended to feed your dog cooked eggs rather than raw.
However, even this method comes with guidelines. Eggs prepared in any way still need to be prepared and fed to your dog in a safe way. For instance, when cooking eggs for your dog, you should avoid using things like salt, oil, and butter. In addition, it is important to remember that overfeeding your dog can lead to issues like obesity. You should adjust the amount of egg you feed your dog based on the calorie intake in order to avoid overfeeding. The American Kennel Club recommends keeping treats to ~10% of a dog’s caloric intake. If you’re unsure of how much to feed your dog, it’s best to speak with a veterinarian about your pet’s individual needs.
Conclusion
Despite the potential risks of eggs, there are safe ways of serving them to your dog. When prepared in an appropriate manner and distributed in appropriate amounts, eggs are a wonderful food option! Not only do they provide many benefits, but your dog will also thank you for the tasty treat. So, whether you’re looking for a dietary supplement or hoping to try an exciting new dog food recipe, know that eggs are a generally safe bet. It may even surprise you to know that leading dog food brands like Purina contain eggs in some of their products!
As always, we at Furzly encourage pet-owners to do plenty of research before offering new foods to your pet. It can be exciting to share “human” food with our animals, but not even food is an appropriate option. Even typically safe foods like eggs run certain risks, and it is important to be aware of them. This is why it’s so important for owners to ask questions like ‘can dogs eat eggs?’ A safe option is to talk with your veterinarian to develop a diet based on your individual pet’s needs. Who knows- maybe you can even slip in some eggs!