Yes, dogs can eat egg whites in moderation. Egg whites are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Therefore, they can add nutritional benefits to your dog. However, it must not become a part of their daily diet. Being a responsible pet parent, you must feed egg whites in moderation after consulting the vet.
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What Are Egg Whites?
Egg whites are also called albumin, which is present in the outer layer of the egg yolk. Egg white is formed due to numerous secretions in chicken.
Are Egg Whites Safe For Dogs?
Egg whites are safe for dogs to consume. However, you must avoid giving your dog:
Raw egg whites: Raw egg white may contain salmonella, which is toxic for dogs and may lead to bad health.
Fried egg whites: Fried egg whites have oil or butter, making them dangerous for dogs.
Seasoned egg whites: Seasoned egg whites contain spices and salt, which are toxic to dogs.
Why Are Egg Whites Good For Dogs?
Egg whites are suitable for dogs as they provide many nutritional benefits to your dog. Let us see why and how egg whites are beneficial for dogs:
Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision and skin health and quickly heals wounds. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system.
Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin, is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats into energy and helps produce red blood cells, which transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Folic acid ensures fast cell proliferation in puppies, adults, and pregnant dogs. In addition, it aids in regulating homocysteine levels in the blood and using amino acids to form new proteins. In other words, B9, also known as folic acid, is required for regular blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue development.
Fatty acids are generally present in saturated and unsaturated fats that are broken down and absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract by dogs. They help in maintaining and building the body cells.
Vitamin B12: Beginning with the neural system, vitamin B12 aids in the formation and improvement of protective tissues that cover the nerves in the brain, giving the dog greater control over all physiological activities. Additionally, your dog’s spinal health benefits from a healthy neural system.
Iron is required to accomplish critical processes, including carrying oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells so that the cells can generate energy. Iron is also required to function various enzymes in the body properly.
Selenium is a microelement necessary for the proper functioning of the metabolism. Therefore, it is crucial in a dog’s body for various functions, including antioxidant activity, thyroid metabolism, DNA synthesis, and reproduction.
Arginine is a vital amino acid that produces nitric oxide combined with oxygen. Nitric oxide lowers blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles of blood vessels.
Histidine: Histidine aids in the production of histamines in the body. These are found in the body’s cells and aid in the fight against infection and increasing blood flow to the damaged areas.
Leucine and Lysine: In addition to the other essential amino acids present in complete and balanced pet food, leucine and lysine aid in the development and maintenance of muscles, bones, blood, organs, skin, and hair in dogs.
Methionine: DL-Methionine is an essential natural nutrient used to treat bladder infections and prevent bladder stones in dogs as a supplement. It works by acidifying urine to prevent struvite stones from forming due to high alkaline levels.
Phenylalanine: In dogs, a double amount of phenylalanine and tyrosine is necessary to generate and maintain a typical black hair coat color required for growth. The presence of phenylalanine-containing peptides in the intestinal lumen causes cholecystokinin (CCK) to be released.
Threonine: The amino acid threonine is found in structural proteins. The hydroxyl group on the side chain of threonine is frequently used as a location for phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events that regulate numerous proteins and enzymes’ functions.
Tryptophan: L-tryptophan is vital for dogs since it can assist them in coping with stress and aggressiveness in stressful settings. L-tryptophan is a natural amino acid in many proteins that create the hormone serotonin and has been demonstrated to reduce hostility and anxiety.
Why Are Egg Whites Bad For Dogs?
Providing your dog with egg whites everyday can be dangerous. Even though egg whites are beneficial for dogs, they have their downsides:
Biotin deficiency: Egg whites can cause biotin deficiency in dogs due to the enzyme inhibitor avidin. This can affect your dog’s health as biotin helps dogs keep their nails, skin, and coat healthy.
Salmonella: Consuming raw eggs can cause Salmonellosis in dogs. The consequences of consuming raw eggs are:
Abdomen pain
Stomach disorder
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gastrointestinal tract issue
Intestinal infections
High temperature
Itchiness
Inflammation
Colitis
Fried egg whites: Fried eggs contain oil or butter. Oil and butter are unhealthy for dogs as it triggers:
Fat
Obesity
Pancreatitis
Weight gain
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Cardiovascular issues
Joint issues
Arthritis
Seasoned egg whites: Seasoned egg whites contain spices like online and garlic powder, chili powder, pepper, chili flakes, etc. These ingredients cause:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
Convulsions
Frequent urination
Increase in thirst
Tremors
Seizures
Coma
Death
Offering your dog with a huge amount of egg whites can even trigger bile acid formation and synthesis of cholesterol. This will lead to high blood pressure in dogs.
How Much Egg Whites To Feed My Dog?
Moderation is the key! Never make egg whites a part of your dog’s daily diet—instead, a bite or two in two weeks. Always consult a vet before introducing egg whites.
How To Serve Egg Whites To My Dogs?
Here is a way you can offer your dog egg whites!
Boil the egg and separate the egg white from the yolk.
Cut the boiled egg whites into bite-sized pieces and top them in your dog’s daily diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat eggs. As a pet parent, you can provide eggs to your dog in moderation. Eggs provide various nutritional benefits to your dog.
Can dogs eat scrambled eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat scrambled eggs, provided they have no seasoning. Seasonings are toxic to dogs.
Final Thoughts
Coming to the end of the article, we can conclude that egg whites in moderation are great for dogs. However, excessive egg whites can harm your dogs’ health. Consult your vet before introducing egg whites to your dog as responsible pet parents. Ensure a healthy and happy life for your dog.
