Is it OK to crack an egg in a dog’s food? Yes, you can crack a raw egg in your pooch’s food. It is an excellent source of nutrients and helps to mitigate arthritis. But many individuals believe that there is a risk in doing so. It is said that if you feed your fido raw egg then he might get bacterial infections like Salmonella and E.Coli.
However, it is not that true in the case of dogs. Many studies have shown that the chances of a dog being infected with Salmonella are 1 in 20,000. Also, dogs are more efficient to handle bacteria than humans.
Dogs have a shorter digestive tract than humans, this means that they can process food very quickly. Therefore, there is less chance of bacteria growing and multiplying in the digestive system of dogs. Also, they have an acidic stomach that easily kills bacteria.
Dog parents are also afraid of biotin efficiency due to raw eggs. Biotin is a Vitamin B that enables the growth of cell and fatty acids metabolism. In the case of dogs, it is responsible for smooth coats, fur, and health.
It is believed that the egg white contains Avidin that obstructs biotin. However, it is very rare if your dog suffers from biotin deficiency. Also, it will take dozens of eggs to cause biotin deficiency.
What are the benefits and risks of raw eggs for dogs?
Benefits
It is a great source of Protein
An egg contains 7 grams of protein. It is one of the most protein-rich foods for your pooch. It also has great biological values. This means that the protein in eggs is easily absorbed as compared to foods that have low biological value.
Eggs have essential amino acids
Amino acids are more important than protein. There are 20 amino acids, out of which your fido’s body produces 10. The remaining are called essential amino acids. Therefore, these 10 must be consumed via food.
An egg contains all the essential amino acids. Therefore, it is a good move to feed your pooch egg so that he can get his essential amino acids.
Egg have essential fatty acids
Essential fatty acids need to be consumed via food. Dogs need omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. But, commercial food only contains a high amount of omega-6. Therefore, vets usually recommend omega-3 supplements.
But you can provide natural omega-3 fatty acids by means of an egg. An egg contains both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are labeled as “Essential fatty acids”. These fatty acids help to fight infections and recover from injuries. They also promote a healthy coat in dogs.
Egg contain Vitamins
An egg contains niacin, vitamin B-complex, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin A, D, E, and K. Vitamin A promotes a healthy immune system.
B6 takes care of immune response and red blood cells. Also, all these vitamins contribute to the healthy growth of the body and good metabolism.
Egg as a topping
If your pooch is recovering from any illness or is a fussy eater, then it is difficult for you to feed him enough. An egg adds 75 calories to your pooch’s food.
In fact, if you crack a raw egg in the food then the whole food becomes delicious for your dog. Therefore, you can make his food habits a bit better.
Risks
Eggshells increases the isk of choking
Some dogs safely chew and swallows the eggshells and other find it difficult to do that. They end up choking. Smaller dogs are at more risk than bigger ones. If you are worried about your pooch choking an eggshell then your can grind the eggshell into a fine powder. This will eliminate the risk.
Eggs are high in Cholesterol
Eggs contain high levels of Cholesterol. However, only the diabetics and dogs that have hyperthyroidism are more exposed to the risk associated with Cholesterol. For healthy dogs, cholesterol does not poses any risk to their health.
Some dogs can have egg allergy
The egg is one of the most common allergens. The protein present in the egg can cause an allergy to your pooch. This allergy can cause gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea.
It can also affect your fido’s coat and skin. If the canine has an egg allergy, he may continuously rub, scratch, and lick his skin.
Look for these signs after you give raw egg to your canine. If you see so, immediately stop feeding eggs to your pooch. Also, talk to your vet about the medications.
Extra calories can make your canine overweight
Feeding an excess amount of eggs can lead to gaining some extra weight. An obese dog can have plenty of health issues that lead to a shorter lifespan.
Just make sure that you are not giving excess protein, nutrients, and calories to your dog. This will affect his health and lead to obesity.
Can I Add Cracked Raw Egg Over Dog Food?
Yes, you can add a cracked raw egg over dog food. However, there are different risks connected with this.
Raw eggs can be harmful in different ways. And one of them is Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria that causes different digestive problems like fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Therefore, many vets usually recommend not feeding raw eggs on a daily basis. Instead, you can cook it and feed it.
However, many individuals love to eat raw eggs. Therefore, they are at a higher risk of Salmonella than dogs. It means that those individuals are comfortable with the risk and are confident about storing the eggs.
How to feed a dog raw egg?
Eggs must be cooked before giving them to a canine. Cook eggs simply without oil, salt, butter, spices, seasoning, or any other additives. It does not rely on how your canine likes their eggs as long as they’re cooked. There are numerous approaches to combining eggs into your canine’s diet, from the occasional chunk of tough boiled egg to scrambled eggs in canine meals.
Start by feeding your canine simply one egg. Watch them for any symptoms of gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. As long as they do not display any digestive discomfort, you must have no problem giving them eggs.
Eggs can not be the only supply of protein to your canine, as canine food contains different vitamins for any canine. Since eggs are full of protein, in case your canine ingests an excessive amount of it may cause weight gain from too many calories consumed.
In general, canines should not consume a couple of eggs per day. Ideally, get your eggs from a natural farmer in order that they have not been chemically treated.
You must treat eggs like a treat to your canine. Treating your canine to a cooked egg once in a while is perfectly safe and maintains a unique surprise that your canine will enjoy.
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