When it comes to complete nutrition, eggs are unparalleled. They are packed with almost all the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that dogs need. Additionally, eggs are rich in antioxidants and boast double the amount of choline per 100g compared to other foods.
Eggs contain all 10 essential amino acids for dogs, as well as antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are more bioavailable in eggs than in any plant sources. These antioxidants are crucial for protecting eye health. Choline in eggs supports brain function, liver function, heart health, fat metabolism, muscle health, and more. The amino acids in eggs are 100% metabolizable by the body, making them an excellent protein source.
Historically, humans have consumed eggs since at least 1400 BC, but dogs have enjoyed them for even longer. Wild dogs, and their wolf ancestors, often sought out eggs from nests. When dogs were domesticated, eggs were commonly fed to them, especially when they were ill, due to their nutritional benefits.
Introducing eggs into your dog's diet can provide a wealth of nutrients that support overall health and well-being.
How much should I feed:
The general rule of thumb is that eggs should be fed 2-3 days a week. Most raw feeders feed as follows for ease of routine:
Monday - egg
Tuesday - oily fish
Wednesday - egg
Thursday - oily fish
Friday - egg
Sat & Sun - no egg or oily fish.
Less than 10kg: 1-2 quail eggs per feeding day or 1/4-1/2 chicken / duck egg per feeding day.
10-20kgs: 3 quail eggs or 1 chicken / duck egg, per feeding day
20kgs- 40kgs: 4-5 quail eggs or 2 chicken / duck eggs or 1/2 goose egg, per feeding day
40kgs +: 6 quail eggs or 3 chicken / duck eggs or 1 goose egg, per feeding day
This is only a guideline, there is no hard and fast rule.
How do I feed it?
There are several ways to incorporate eggs into your dog's diet:
Whisked and Stored: Whisk an egg and give a small portion each day, storing the rest in the fridge.
Frozen Treats: Crack and freeze eggs into moulds, or freeze whole eggs (like duck eggs) and give them frozen.
Defrosted: Fully defrost and serve the egg as it is.
Mixed with Food: Mix the egg into your dog's regular food.
On Its Own: Serve the egg on its own as a treat.
Experiment with these methods to see which your dog prefers, ensuring they enjoy the nutritional benefits of eggs.
Can I feed the shell?
In the UK, feeding eggshells to dogs is perfectly safe. Some dogs prefer them crushed, while others will eat them whole or refuse them altogether.
If your dog won't eat the shell, try peeling off the thin membrane inside. This membrane is rich in collagen, elastin, protein, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin, making it excellent for joint health. Studies have shown that feeding eggshell membrane can reduce joint pain by up to 72.5%!
What about the stringy bits coming off the yolk?
The string-like structures you often see inside an egg white are called chalazae. These are most noticeable in fresher eggs and play an important role in keeping the yolk centred within the egg. This positioning is crucial for the proper development of an embryo if the egg were fertilised.
Nutritionally, the chalazae are completely safe and beneficial to eat. They are made of protein and do not affect the egg's taste or quality. In fact, the presence of prominent chalazae is a good indicator of the egg's freshness. So, there's no need to remove them when preparing eggs for your dog or yourself.
Including the chalazae in your dog's diet ensures they receive all the nutritional benefits that come from consuming the whole egg, enhancing their overall protein intake.
What about the specks of blood inside some eggs?
Specks of blood in eggs are perfectly safe to eat. These spots come from tiny blood vessels in the yolk and do not affect the egg's quality or nutritional value. So, there's no need to worry if you see them.
Does the source of the egg matter?
The source of eggs can indeed impact their nutritional quality. Higher welfare conditions for laying hens, such as those that are pasture-raised, tend to produce eggs that are richer in beta-carotene, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are beneficial for your dog's health, contributing to improved immune function, skin and coat health, and overall well-being.
Pasture-raised eggs come from hens that have access to outdoor areas where they can forage, leading to a more nutrient-dense egg. However, it's important to recognize that not everyone can access or afford these premium eggs.
Feeding your dog any type of egg is still highly beneficial. Even if you cannot obtain pasture-raised eggs, conventional eggs still offer a good source of protein, essential amino acids, and other nutrients. So, while higher welfare eggs might provide additional benefits, incorporating any eggs into your dog's diet is better than none.
While the source of the egg can enhance its nutritional profile, the most important thing is to include eggs in your dog's diet in any form that is accessible to you.
Should I cook the egg?
In the wild, dogs naturally consume eggs raw. Therefore, we recommend feeding raw eggs to your pets. Raw eggs retain about 25% more omega-3 fatty acids, choline, vitamin D, biotin, and zinc compared to their cooked counterparts. Cooking eggs diminishes vitamin A content by approximately 20% and reduces certain antioxidants by around 12%. Thus, feeding raw eggs ensures your dog receives the maximum nutritional benefits.
What about salmonella?
Salmonella is naturally present in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs, making it generally not a concern for them. Dogs have evolved to handle such bacteria without issues, so feeding raw eggs, which may contain salmonella, does not typically pose a risk to their health.
What about Avidin from egg whites?
Avidin is a protein found in egg whites that binds to biotin, a vital B vitamin. There’s some misinformation suggesting that this binding means egg whites should be avoided or eggs should be cooked to neutralize avidin.
However, the reality is different. Egg yolks contain such high levels of biotin that even after avidin binds to some of it, a significant amount of biotin remains available. The biotin content in the yolk more than compensates for any biotin bound by avidin in the white.
Thus, feeding your dog the whole egg raw is not only safe but also highly beneficial, as it ensures they receive the full spectrum of nutrients eggs offer.
I'd still prefer to cook it, how is best?
If you prefer to cook the egg, that's perfectly fine. Just keep in mind that cooking does reduce some of the available nutrients.
If you choose to cook the egg, we recommend keeping the cooking times short. A soft-boiled egg is the best option if feeding raw is not possible. By boiling the egg for about 3 minutes, the shell and egg white protect the yolk while the white gets enough heat to neutralize the avidin.
Poaching is another option, but it results in a loss of about 20% of the vitamin D in the egg, making it a slightly less optimal choice. However, it's still a viable alternative if needed.
Fresh egg test:
Eggshells have thousands of tiny pores that allow air to pass through over time. As an egg ages, it absorbs more air, which affects its buoyancy.
To test an egg's freshness, you can use the water float test:
Fill a Bowl with Water: Use a bowl or a deep container and fill it with enough water to submerge the egg.
Submerge the Egg: Gently place the egg in the water.
Observe the Egg’s Position:
- Fresh Eggs: Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lie flat on their side.
- Slightly Older Eggs: These eggs will stand upright on the bottom but remain submerged. They are still safe to eat but should be used soon.
- Old Eggs: Older eggs will float to the surface. These eggs have absorbed more air and should be discarded, as they may no longer be safe to consume.
This simple test helps you determine the freshness of your eggs and ensure you are using the best quality for your needs.
Why is the yolk in some chicken eggs deeper colour than in others?
The colour of an egg yolk can tell you a lot about the chicken's diet, which in turn can impact your dog's health. Here's what different yolk colours indicate:
Light Yellow Yolk: This colour suggests that the chicken consumed a wheat-based poultry feed. If your dog has a sensitivity to wheat, consuming eggs with light yellow yolks might cause them to experience itching or loose stools.
Darker Yellow Yolk: A darker yellow yolk indicates a diet based on corn. Dogs with a high sensitivity to corn may react negatively when eating these eggs.
Dark Yellow/Orange Yolk: This colour signifies that the chicken had a diverse diet, including a variety of plant materials such as green vegetables. Eggs with this yolk colour are often more nutrient-dense and less likely to cause dietary sensitivities in dogs.
By paying attention to yolk colour, you can better understand the source of the eggs and make more informed choices for your dog's diet, especially if they have specific food sensitivities.
Where's the science to support this information?
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