Yes, dogs can eat cooked eggs in moderation. It is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. However, raw eggs are not healthy and may pose a threat to your dog. Introduce eggs to your dog after consulting the vet.
Table of Contents
What Are Eggs?
Oviparous, including birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians lay eggs, and many of these have been consumed by humans for thousands of years. A protective eggshell, albumen (egg white), and vitellus (egg yolk) are enclosed within different thin membranes in bird and reptile eggs. Chicken eggs are the most often eaten eggs. However, other poultry eggs, such as duck and quail eggs, are also consumed. Roe and caviar are two terms for fish eggs.
Are Eggs Safe for Dogs?
Yes, eggs are safe for dogs as they are packed with numerous nutrients! However, it is important to avoid:
Raw eggs: Raw eggs may cause Salmonellosis and trigger various gastrointestinal issues.
Seasoned eggs: Eggs made for humans with all the spices and seasonings are not meant for dogs.
Why Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Eggs are good for dogs as it provides health benefits to them. They are packed with high-value nutrients which can aid your dog significantly. The benefits are:
Fatty acids
The egg yolk has a high concentration of fatty acids. Fatty acids are ingested as saturated and unsaturated fats in a dog’s diet. The fat is broken down by the dog’s body and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Fatty acids are utilized to generate and sustain bodily cells. Fatty acids also help fat-soluble vitamins to reach the vitamin-deficient target.
Antioxidants
Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of many complex health conditions in animals, is neutralized by antioxidants. Antioxidant intake may help with any chronic autoimmune illness.
Vitamins
A dog’s diet includes both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. In metabolism, immunological function, growth, and development, vitamins are the building blocks for a dog’s good health.
The egg yolk is rich in the following vitamins:
Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision, skin health, and heals wounds quickly. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D aids in the regulation, retention, and balance of calcium and phosphorus in dogs.
Vitamin E: One of your dog’s defenses against oxidative damage is vitamin E. Cell function and fat metabolism are also dependent on this fat-soluble vitamin. Deficiencies can cause vision and muscle deterioration, as well as reproductive issues.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble substance required to coagulate proteins necessary for clotting blood. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which is generated in plants and can be ingested through food or supplements, is the most common dietary source of Vitamin K.
Vitamin B1: Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is vital for your dog’s optimal health. It supports the nervous system, metabolizes carbohydrates, controls food and appetite stimulation metabolism, and stimulates healthy growth.
Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2, also known as Riboflavin, is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats into energy and helps in the production of red blood cells, which transports nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Vitamin B3: Vitamin B3, also known as Niacin, is an immunomodulator and nutritional supplement used with other drugs to treat inflammatory skin disorders in dogs, such as lupus or pemphigoid.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is essential. Glucose production, red blood cells and central nervous function, hormone control, immunological response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation are all aided by this vitamin.
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.
Folic acid ensures fast cell proliferation in puppies, adults, and pregnant dogs. In addition, it aids in regulating homocysteine levels in the blood and the use of 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.
Choline: This will aid in the healthy development of your dog’s brain and protect the liver from diseases such as hepatic lipidosis. Choline also aids hydration in your dog by decreasing water loss via skin.
Minerals
Minerals are also essential for dogs, and they are taken in the form of salts in their food. Metabolism, immunological function, growth, and development act as catalysts and building blocks.
Eggshells are high in several nutrients, which are also found in egg whites and yolks:
Calcium: Calcium is an essential dietary component for your dog’s health. It is required for bone and tooth development, nerve impulse transmission, cell communication, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Therefore, it’s critical for your dog’s general health that he gets adequate calcium.
Phosphorus: In dogs, phosphorus is necessary for maintaining healthy kidney function. Your puppy’s kidneys must be beneficial to drain toxins from his body through pee efficiently. As a result, he can stay in the most significant physical form possible. In addition, phosphorus aids motor function by assisting muscle contractions. This allows your dog to conduct typical duties such as walking, chewing, and following you on your morning runs. Phosphorus also aids your dog in maintaining a regular heart rate, which is especially important during activity.
Magnesium: At the cellular level, magnesium is involved in energy generation. Magnesium is required to allow the passage of energy whenever your pet moves a muscle, has a heartbeat, or thinks.
Sodium: Dogs require salt in their food to maintain regular bodily function. Fluid equilibrium, muscle and neuron process, and blood pressure stability are all aided by this electrolyte. Therefore, sodium is present in commercial dog diets as a balanced diet, either naturally or as an addition.
Note: Excessive sodium can disrupt bodily function in dogs.
Potassium: Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s health. It helps electrical charges in the heart, and proper functioning of nerves, and muscles. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is abnormal, or that they have no desire to eat.
Iron: 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.
Copper: Copper is necessary for producing bones, tendons and ligaments, collagen, and myelin in dogs. Copper also aids in absorbing iron, making it an essential component of red blood cell activity.
Zinc: Zinc is a mineral found in numerous things in the dog’s body, including enzymes, proteins, and hormones. Zinc is also necessary for the immune system and thyroid function. Therefore, zinc insufficiency can cause various issues in dogs, including incapability of infection protection.
Manganese: Manganese is required to produce energy, metabolize protein and carbs, and form fatty acids in dogs. Manganese is a component of many enzymes and aids in the health and preservation of bone and cartilage in joints.
Selenium: Selenium is a microelement necessary for the proper functioning of the metabolism. It is crucial in a dog’s body for various functions, including antioxidant activity, thyroid metabolism, DNA synthesis, and reproduction.
Note
Only eggshells ground into a fine powder are safe for dogs to eat.
Dogs with arthritis can consume finely-powdered eggshells to reduce joint pains.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are required for dogs. In a dog’s diet, amino acids are found in meat and plant-based protein. Proteins are broken down by the dog’s body and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. It is used to create and maintain muscles inside the body.
The egg white has a high concentration of these nutrients:
Arginine is a vital amino acid that produces nitric oxide when 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 present in many proteins involved in creating the hormone serotonin and has been demonstrated to reduce hostility and stress.
Why Are Eggs Bad for Dogs?
Eggs are significantly good for dogs; however, there are downsides to eggs.
Eggshells: Eggshells may cause choking in dogs due to hard and sharp shells. Even if it is blended well to make a powder, sharp edges may cause internal injuries in your dog. In addition, consumption of eggshells can lead to:
Throat injury
Mouth injury
Esophagus rupture
Internal organ damage
Raw eggs: 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
Biotin deficiency: One of the B vitamins is biotin. It’s necessary for cellular development, fatty acid metabolism, and healthy skin and hair in your dog. Avidin, a biotin inhibitor, is found in egg whites. Therefore, consuming excessive egg whites may lead to biotin deficiency.
Allergic Reactions: Dogs can be allergic to egg yolk as they are abundant in protein. Symptoms include:
Lethargy
Hives
Skin issues
Itchiness
Swelling
Coughing
Sneezing
Difficulty in breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
How Many Eggs to Feed Your Dog?
Dogs can consume a small amount of egg every day, but it’s essential to treat eggs as any other treat. Since eggs contain roughly 70 calories each, the amount you give depends on the size of your dog. Generally, vets suggest that a small dog can eat one egg per week, a medium dog can eat two eggs per week, and one large dog can eat three eggs per week. Also, keep in mind the ten percent treat rule. The egg you feed should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. That way, he gets his complete and balanced meals while avoiding excess calories.
How to Serve Eggs to Dogs?
Serve cooked (hard-boiled) or poached eggs simply as a snack or combined with a grain and vegetable in your dog’s regular diet. Boiling or poaching an egg in plain water destroys any leftover bacteria and eliminates the danger of gastrointestinal discomfort caused by various cooking oils. Then, sprinkle over your dog’s food dish for a nutritious, protein-rich dinner.
Cut the boiled egg into bite-sized pieces for your dogs to chew and swallow easily.
What If My Dog Ate Eggs?
If your dog has consumed raw eggs, it is best to look out for inconsistency in his health for a week. He will face some digestive issues like diarrhea and vomiting, pale gums, lethargy; it is not necessary to panic. You can take your dog to the veterinarian for a regular checkup after he has consumed a raw egg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can puppies eat eggs?
Yes, puppies can eat cooked eggs occasionally.
Can puppies eat eggshells?
Yes, puppies technically can eat finely-powdered eggshells, but it is best to skip until they have a strong gut.
Can eggshells be a bone substitute for dogs?
Eggshells can be a bone substitute for dogs if they cannot chew down a raw bone. However, eggshells cannot meet the minerals present in bone meal.
Can dogs eat scrambled eggs?
Yes. Dogs can eat scrambled eggs in moderation. However, remember to serve it plain without spices, oil, butter, sauce, pepper, and seasonings.
Final Thoughts
From this article, we can rightly say that cooked (hard-boiled), poached eggs are the best choice for dogs instead of raw eggs. Eggs are abundant in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids, and amino acids, which can aid your dog in various ways. There is also not much risk in feeding your dogs eggs, but gradually introducing them into the diet is vital. Before introducing eggs to your dog, it is best to visit the vet to examine your dog’s health condition. Ensure a healthy and happy life for your dog!
