Eggs are wonderfully nutritious for dogs (in moderation).
(Corny title, I know! Please enjoy.)
Treat or Meal Type Food? Use as a treat or mash up an egg in your friend’s meal.
Amount: In moderation. No more than one a day. However, if you are afraid of fat then limit to no more than a few a week.
Nutrients:
- Biotin
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Digestible protein
- Fatty acids
- Folate
- Iron
- Riboflavin
- Selenium
Benefits: Helps relieve digestive upset and provides a protein boost which helps build muscle, strengthens hair, and repairs tissue.
Hard boiled eggs are great.
How to feed:
- Hardboiled (no extra non-stick ingredients needed) and cut into chunks or diced and mixed into your dog’s food.
- Shells ground into powder are a good source of protein. Just sprinkle it over your friend’s food. But boil them first to remove the risk of chemicals and salmonella. Even better, get organic, free range chicken eggs.
Dangers:
- No raw eggs! The raw whites can cause biotin deficiency.
- And be careful of egg shell shards, they are a choking hazard.
Precautions:
- The protein avidin found in raw egg whites interferes with biotin (vitamin H or B7), which is essential for cell growth, fat metabolism, and carbon dioxide transfer. However, egg yolks are very high in biotin!
- Very young and very old dogs may not take well to eggs because the whites contain enzyme inhibitors which can interfere with digestion.
- Try to get organic, free-range chicken eggs and keep them cool in order to keep the salmonella risk down.
More information:
10 “People” Foods for Dogs
http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/10-people-foods-dogs/1896#sthash.1nM9aP2V.dpuf
The Incredible, Edible Egg: Nutritional or Deadly for Pets?
http://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_multi_eggs_for_pets2
Eggs For Dogs – Good Or Bad?
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/feeding-your-dog-raw-eggs-good-or-bad/
Note: This article is for information purposes only and is not intended for medical advice. Please consult your veterinarian on your dog’s health needs.