There are a number of “people foods” out there that dog lovers across the world keep away from their canine companions. Things like chocolate, grapes and even citrus fruits have been connected with health complications in dogs. But one “people food” that was once thought to be downright dangerous may become a regular addition to your pet’s food dish.
Eggs have been hailed as a superfood for years, being both low in calories and rich in nutrients, while also being quite affordable. But for years, popular opinion has been to steer clear from eating eggs raw, out of fear of diseases like salmonella. However, a 2005 risk assessment report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that modern pasteurization processes can cut the risk of salmonella in eggs by up to 99.9 percent.
And by keeping eggs at the optimal temperature of 45°F and sourcing your eggs from free-range or organic farms, you can further reduce your risk of salmonella. This all means these magical little ovoids are perfectly safe for your pups when consumed in moderation and in their most nutritious form, raw or lightly cooked.
What Makes Eggs so Great
It would make sense that eggs would contain a large array of nutrients and vitamins, given that their purpose is to feed and grow an entire chicken. And that’s just in the egg whites, which accounts for the majority of protein, magnesium, and potassium in an egg.
In total, eggs are generally an excellent source of:
Riboflavin
Folate
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Iron
Selenium
Fatty Acids
Antioxidants
And amino acids, which make up protein
Omega-3 enriched eggs can also be found, and have up to five times more omega-3, which many veterinarians say can help prevent and treat disease, than conventional eggs. However, pasture-raised eggs are still ideal, due to their higher amounts of vitamins A, E, omega-3 and lower levels of cholesterol and saturated fats, according to studies from the Cambridge University Press and Mother Earth News magazine.
But what are the real benefits to feeding your dog raw or lightly cooked eggs?
Raw or Cooked
While some may still be squeamish about feeding their dogs raw eggs, the health benefits and aforementioned diminished risk of salmonella contamination, may or may not make up for any risk incurred.
According to the USDA’s national nutrient database, 100 mg of raw egg has far more minerals and vitamins when compared to the same amount of boiled egg. Minerals such as phosphorus, potassium and vitamins A, B-6, and choline, which has been shown to prevent dementia in dogs, can all be found in higher levels in raw egg.
It should also be noted, however, that some studies have shown that the bioavailability in cooked egg is much higher than in raw, with almost twice as much protein being available when eggs are cooked. Considering that cooking also entirely eliminates the possibility of salmonella, soft or hard boiled eggs can still be a healthy and delicious treat for your pet.
Which Parts of the Egg Should Your Pet Eat
One of the main concerns pet owners and veterinarians have had with dogs ingesting raw egg is the substance avidin. A protein found in the reproductive systems of birds, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as the whites of their eggs. This protein inhibits the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin which is important for skin and coat health, as well as metabolism and cellular growth.
However, dogs and people need relatively little biotin per day, with humans requiring only 30 micrograms, nearly the entire amount of biotin found in a single egg yolk. So while feeding your dog only raw egg whites may cause a biotin deficiency, feeding them the whole egg a few times a week will help you avoid this issue. Cooked eggs do not contain avidin, but also contain fewer nutrients.
Egg shells are also a good source of protein and calcium. The shell can be left on a hard or soft-boiled egg, after lightly cracking on a kitchen counter or peeled away, dried, ground up and added to your dog’s normal kibble to add nutrients they may be missing.
Ways to Stay Safe
The digestive system in dogs is better equipped to handle raw food when compared to humans, but not chemicals and additives that may be used in commercially raised eggs. These chemicals may cause complications when feeding those eggs or shells to your dogs, so they should always be cooked and the shells boiled before giving to your pet.
While there may be some risk to feeding you dog eggs, either cooked or raw, these nutrient-dense treats are well worth the work it takes to find organic and pasture raised eggs. For a more complete and balanced diet considering having breakfast with your dog over a nice dish of eggs, just be sure to keep the cheese, butter, and salt in your omelet and not your pup’s.
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