Can I Feed My Dog Eggs
Can I Feed My Dog Eggs
When budgets are tight and you’re looking to add some quality protein (and the associated calcium. Add an Egg… shell and all.
A whole egg is really a complete food. Rich in Vitamin A, Riboflavin/ B2, B5, B12, Iron, Selenium. The shell is rich in calcium, but also contains phosphorus (Remember the ratio). It’s good source of protein and amino acids and essential fatty acids. Eggs are also rich in Choline.
Eggs are good for the brain! Cellular structure, metabolism, and support for the liver. The egg shell membrane offers joint health benefits too.
That’s why they call eggs incredible! (ok, my age is showing — reference to an old commercial)
Some dogs will eat the shell like you’ve given them a treat. Some will eat it if crumbled or run through the food processor with their fresh veggies. If they won’t eat it “fresh”, make egg shell powder out of it — especially if you need to supplement calcium to improve your phos:cal ratio with your meats and homemade recipes.
Think about adding eggs to your kibble diet 2-3 days a week! Remember you’ll be adding calories, so if you have a dog that could stand to lose a little, you’ll need to adjust calorie intake elsewhere.
Does Cooking Your Egg Matter?
I have feed raw eggs to dogs for years. I will continue to do so. And there continues to be many written articles suggesting raw is best. I mean, after all, what dog would have ever found a way to cook the egg he found in the chicken house?
But
A recent study was published (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9772141/) that looked at the different ways in which eggs are cooked and which are methods are the most beneficial for the absorption of nutrients and protein.
Benefits of Feeding Raw Egg
33% more Omega-3
36% more vitamin-D
33% more DHA
23% more Choline
20% more Biotin
20% more Zinc
Benefits of a gently cooked egg
Cooking an egg white makes it more digestible. It also makes vitamin biotin more available.
According to the study, the best way to serve an egg is soft-boiled so that the egg white is about only 70% cooked/formed and the remaining egg yolk is runny.
(Podcast Source: Dr. Karen Becker/Rodney Habib April 2021)
Did you know you can Freeze Eggs? Just drop one egg (whole or scrambled) in section of an ice tray and let them freeze. Then transfer to a zippy bag and store up in the freeze. Thaw a couple as needed.
See our blog post on Making Egg Shell Powder Too!