You’ve seen it on the Internet.
Lots of dog parents put raw eggs in their dog’s food.
And you wonder,
“Is this practice safe?”
Keep reading to discover:
- 5 benefits of raw eggs for dogs.
- The method to make eggs safe for your pooch.
- 7 risks of cracking raw eggs in your dog’s food.
- Precisely why you shouldn’t feed them too many eggs.
- And many, many more…
Table of contents
Can I crack a raw egg in my dog’s food?
You can crack a raw egg in your dog’s food, but there are risks. Raw eggs cause bacterial illnesses, interfere with digestion, cause biotin deficiency and allergies. And it’s a choking hazard. But it’s also a great source of nutrition, it helps with arthritis and helps your dog eat more.
5 benefits of raw eggs for dogs
#1: A great source of vitamins
The wild ancestors of the modern dog had eggs as a part of their diet.
They used to steal eggs from nesting birds.
And it’s no wonder because eggs are a great source of essential vitamins.
Such as:
- Niacin.
- Folic acid.
- Riboflavin.
- Vitamins A, D, E, K.
- Vitamin B- complex.
FirstVet tells us that these help with:
- Growth.
- Metabolism processes.
- Immune system function and development.
What’s not to like about that?
#2: Helps with arthritis
Eggs are a classic example of what’s outside is just as good as the inside.
The shells of dogs are great sources of:
- Calcium.
- Magnesium.
- Phosphorus.
Other trace minerals are also found in these white casings.
But did you know eggshells may help treat joint pain in arthritic dogs?
This is according to a study on 51 dogs. The researchers tested the efficacy of a supplement made from eggshell membranes.
The owners monitored the dog’s condition with a weekly questionnaire.
Within 6 weeks, there were improvements on:
- Pain (22.5%).
- Quality of life (26.8%).
- Treatment response (22.5%).
And the dogs didn’t experience any negative effects the whole time they took the supplement.
You might also want to know: 9 Ways To Massage A Dog With Arthritis (How-to)
#3: Encourages dog to eat more
A raw egg on the top is a great appetizer for your pooch.
Especially if they need to gain weight after an illness.
Almost all dogs like the taste.
I remember my friend telling me about her dog, Hela.
She had a love for eggs.
And it all started when she grabbed an egg tray on the kitchen counter. All 24 of the eggs dashed to the floor.
My friend came home to the dog licking her mouth after eating about half the eggs.
It was a miracle that she didn’t have any bad reactions.
Needless to say, all eggs from that moment had their place in the cupboard. Far from Hela’s reach.
You might also like: 9 Ways To Deal With A Dog That Is Always Hungry
#4: Great source of protein
PetMD tells us that protein has a lot of essential roles in a dog’s body:
- Growing hair.
- Providing energy.
- Hormone production.
- Forming new skin cells.
- Strengthening immunity.
- Building and repairing muscles.
Your dog needs these because their body only produces about half of the amino acids needed.
Eating protein-rich food supplies the amino acids missing.
#5: Rich in essential fatty acids
Essential fatty acids or EFAs are those that dog’s can’t produce. Which is why they have to get it from their food.
There are 2 classifications: omega-3 and omega-6.
According to Tufts, dogs need a mix of the 2 for maximum health benefits.
But commercial dog food diets are high only in omega-6. Because of this, vets will often recommend omega-3 supplements.
A good balance between these 2 is important.
Why?
Because omega-3s and omega-6s are a part of your dog’s response to injury and infection.
They also help your pooch develop a healthy coat. And fatty acids help treat skin problems or even other medical conditions.
“What are the sources of fatty acids?”
TVP says that dog food companies and dog supplement manufacturers often get it from:
- Fish oil.
- Corn oil.
- Canola oil.
- Flaxseed oil.
Did you know? There are omega-3 enriched eggs. Farmers feed free-range hens with flaxseed. As a result, they lay eggs high in this fatty acid.
7 risks of cracking raw eggs in your dog’s food
#1: Bacterial infections
As there are benefits to eating eggs, there are also risks. Especially when cracking raw eggs over your pooch’s dinner.
One of these is the risk of eating contaminated eggs.
Usually, cooking the eggs will kill the bacteria.
Uncooked eggs, on the other hand, may contain Salmonella bacterium.
And when dogs eat these, they can become sick with:
Salmonellosis
According to PetMD, this is an infection that could lead to other medical illnesses such as:
- Septicemia.
- Gastroenteritis.
- Spontaneous abortions.
This also affects humans. So there’s a chance that you’ll also have an infection if your dog has this.
Here are the signs to look out for:
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Collapse.
- Weight loss.
- Dehydration.
- Skin problems.
- Loss of appetite.
- Very fast heart rate.
- Slimy poop (mucus).
- Disinterest in activity.
- Swelling of lymph nodes.
- A lot of vaginal discharge.
And pregnant dogs can have sudden miscarriages with salmonellosis.
Warning: Take your dog to the vet if they display these signs. There are times when your dogs can get a chronic Salmonella infection.
Your vet will have to run a series of tests to diagnose your doggo. This also rules out other medical problems that have the same signs.
For more information, take a look at the CDC’s article on Salmonella and eggs.
You’ll also learn how to reduce the chances of getting infected. Whether it’s you or your dog.
#2: Contains enzymes that interfere with digestion
EmbarkVet explains that egg whites contain the avidin protein.
This is an enzyme that messes with your doggo’s digestion.
Because it prevents the absorption of several vitamins.
And when this is always happening, your dog can develop vitamin deficiencies.
One of which I’ll talk about in risk #3.
#3: Biotin deficiency
The presence of avidin in eggs prevents the absorption of biotin.
Which is part of the B-complex vitamins found in eggs.
As a result, your dog can have a biotin deficiency.
And although it’s rare in dogs, it can have serious effects on them…
In particular, their skin.
This study states that avidin in the egg whites binds with biotin in the yolk.
This prevents the dog’s digestive system from absorbing it.
And as a result, the pooch will develop alopecia or hair loss. This happens around their face and eyes.
The researchers continue to say that the cause of this is feeding raw eggs to dogs.
#4: Possibility of allergy development
Eggs have a lot of protein.
And guess what?
Dogs can develop allergies to proteins!
According to FirstVet, eggs are among the top 10 foods that cause allergic reactions.
Food allergies happen because a dog’s immune system starts attacking the body. Because it senses that there is a foreign substance that’s dangerous.
This happens with certain proteins found in food.
Because of an overactive immune system, the skin barrier gets damaged.
This is why dogs allergic to eggs will display the signs of atopic dermatitis.
These are:
- Licking.
- Rubbing.
- Scratching
- Greasy skin.
- Yeasty smell.
- Hardened skin.
- Red, itchy skin.
And what’s tricky is that, might take some time for the symptoms to show.
Hela’s battle with atopic dermatitis
My friend’s dog, Hela. The doggo who loved eggs in risk #3 had a very bad case of atopic dermatitis.
My friend had to go on a trip for 2 weeks. So she left Hela behind with a dog sitter.
And unknown to her, the sitter fed Hela the wrong kind of dog food. It had chicken and eggs as the main ingredients.
After 2 weeks, she came home to a very miserable doggo.
Hela had:
- Very itchy skin.
- A very patchy coat.
- Swollen, crusty eyes.
It was months of going to the vet and daily medications.
Hela even had to have treatment for infected eyes. They got so itchy that she’d scratch at her eyes.
And it still flares up at times.
It’s no joke treating atopic dermatitis.
Note: If you know that your pooch is allergic to eggs or other poultry products, keep a close watch on them.
This rule applies to all things they’re allergic to.
If you want to know your pet’s allergens you can have a test done.
Allergy testing for dogs
First, there’s intradermal skin testing.
VCA says that it’s only performed by vet dermatologists. But it’s highly accurate.
It involves:
- An anesthetized dog.
- Shaving a portion of their fur to expose skin.
- Injecting allergen compounds under the skin.
- Monitoring for skin reactions from the allergens.
While the other test that vets use is a RAST test.
This involves your vet extracting a blood sample from your dog. And sending it to a lab for analysis.
It’s not so expensive. And your local vet can do it. You don’t need to search for a vet dermatologist.
However, there are a lot of instances of false positives. And these still need confirmation through an intradermal test.
But you can still use the results for hyposensitization therapy.
This is a treatment where the dog gets injected with their allergens at increasing doses.
This allows them to get used to it. And their flare-ups will decrease. It’s not a cure-all though.
Spectrum Vet says that the allergy isn’t removed. But it’s managed.
Want to learn more about food allergies in your pooch?
Then watch this video for more information:
#5: No nutritional benefit
Basically, feeding raw eggs is the same as feeding cooked eggs to your doggo,
Let me explain.
In terms of nutrition, your dog gets the same amount, as PetMD says.
But with cooked eggs, it’s minus the risk of salmonella.
A serious infection that can result in death. If not properly treated.
And it also prevents other bacteria from getting into your dog’s system.
Especially if you manage to feed a bad egg to your dog.
Or the egg isn’t prepared according to hygienic standards.
Note: Remember that eggs shouldn’t be the sole source of nutrition for your dog. In fact, most of what it provides is already present in quality dog kibble.
#6: Choking hazard
Eggshells are great sources of essential minerals.
But they can cause choking, especially in small dogs.
It also happens to dogs of all sizes.
I mentioned in benefit #3 that it’s a great appetizer.
Well, it does its job too well. Some dogs scarf down all of the egg. Without even chewing.
As a result, they can choke down on the sharp pieces of eggshells.
They might even injure their digestive tract as it travels down.
The shells are also where salmonella lives.
So without proper disinfection, you’re exposing, not just your pooch. But yourself to the bacteria.
#7: Too much can lead to an overweight dog
Dogs need protein. And yes, eggs are a great source of this.
But if you feed your pooch too many eggs, this can lead to an excess of protein in their body.
The AKC says that it can lead to weight gain. Because your pooch will consume more calories.
So they recommend that you limit eggs as a special treat. Not as a regular part of their diet.
Because an overweight dog will have a lot of problems.
“Why is obesity dangerous for dogs?”
According to this 2018 study, obese or overweight dogs tend to have shorter life spans. There’s also a risk of instantaneous death.
The study focused on 56,787 neutered dogs of 12 breeds, all across North America.
And the vets who did the experiment said that there needs to be an emphasis on obesity prevention in dogs.
Aside from this, an overweight dog can develop the following conditions:
- Skin disease.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Orthopedic problems.
- Heart and respiratory disease.
If your dog’s packing on the pounds, the AKC has some advice:
- Measure meals.
- Establish a schedule for feeding.
- Limit snacks and tasty treats.
- Choose low-calorie treats.
- Exercise with your dog.
It may be hard to do these for your pet. But consistency is key with your pooch.
Plus, it also allows you to spend more bonding time with them.
Conclusion: Is it ok to put raw egg in dog food?
It’s not okay to put raw egg in dog food. There are a lot of risks such as Salmonella infection, digestive problems, biotin deficiency, allergy development, or obesity. The eggshells can be a choking hazard for your dog. And there’s no additional nutritional benefit putting it in their food.
Read next: Can Dogs Eat Chicken Nuggets? 9 Dangers + 5 Safety Tips