So you have prepared a lovely meal, poured yourself a glass of wine, and sat down on a couch in front of your TV. You're ready for a relaxing evening. Yet you cannot concentrate on the TV screen because there are two beady eyes following your every mouthful.
You try to ignore the unblinking stare of your pup, but before you know it, you feel a gentle scratch on your foot. He cannot speak, but he can definitely let you know what he wants: your food.
All dog owners have probably found themselves in a similar situation at some point — feeling guilty as you eat, your pup’s dribble making a puddle on the floor.
Yet it’s risky to share a meal with your pooch. There is a lot of food out there that dogs cannot eat. To help you get some more knowledge about bites you can share with your furry friend, see our article about 16 People Foods That Are Safe For Dogs. But there’s one food in particular that your dog can, and should, eat: eggs.
Can Dogs Have Eggs?
“It is appropriate, even smart, to occasionally feed eggs to your dog,” reports Can I Give My Dog…? “The nutrients in this budget-friendly food will improve your dog’s coat. There are many health benefits associated with pet dogs eating eggs.”
Eggs contain lots of amino and fatty acids, which are very beneficial to your dog’s health. They are also high in protein, which makes them an excellent treat or food supplement when they are served appropriately.
How Many Eggs Can Dogs Eat?
You should always ask your veterinarian for a correct answer to this question. Each dog is different in regards to size and sensitivity.
But to give you a general understanding of how many eggs dogs can eat safely, it’s OK to give your pooch a few eggs throughout the week. If there doesn’t seem to be any upset stomach, then you can try to increase the number and make eggs a regular part of their balanced diet.
However, it’s very important to give this treat in moderation. Its nutritiousness can lead to obesity if your doggy gets too many.
Are Eggs Healthy For Dogs?
Yes, eggs can be very healthy for dogs — in moderation. According to The United States Department of Agriculture, eggs are full of vitamins, iron, healthy acids, and protein, all of which are very good for your puppy’s health. However, it is also very important to serve them in the correct way.
What Types Of Eggs Can Dogs Eat?
There are a few good ways to serve eggs to your doggy, each beneficial in a different way. An egg cooked in just about any way is good for your pooch, as long as you didn’t use any oil, seasoning, butter, or other ingredients. Here are your options in more detail.
As long as scrambled eggs are prepared plain, they are absolutely safe for your pup. But you must make sure that there is no seasoning, butter, or any other ingredients, as this will make the egg more harmful than beneficial.
Fried eggs are tricky, as it depends what the eggs are fried in. If they're fried alongside smoked bacon or onions, they could potentially poison your pup. Overall, we think it’s best to avoid giving fried eggs to your dog.
Hard-boiled is an excellent fashion in which you can serve eggs to your pup. And you don’t even need to remove the eggshell in most cases, which leads us to the next point.
Can Dogs Eat Eggshells?
The shell of an egg is a perfect source of nutrients that your dog might otherwise find in bones from animal carcasses (if your pooch still lived in nature, of course). Eggshells are full of calcium and protein, which will help to strengthen your puppy’s bones and teeth.
If you are worried about the eggshells scratching your pup’s mouth, try grinding them to a powder and mixing that in with the dog food. The nutrients will still be there, and the eggshell will be much easier to digest.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Egg?
This is a more controversial option than the ones we have mentioned above. While many veterinarians say that it is safe to give raw eggs to dogs, many still argue that the risks are not worth it.
Although low, there is a chance of your dog catching salmonella or E. coli from eating raw eggs. However, uncooked eggs also contain the most nutrients that can improve your pup’s health immeasurably.
As Dr. Bruce Syme BVSc (Hons), a qualified veterinarian and founder of Vets All Natural describes, “It's perfectly safe to feed cooked eggs, but, if you want to deliver maximum nutritional benefit, raw eggs are preferable, as cooking destroys vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.”
However, it is entirely up to you whether you want to take the risks, even if they’re small. You are the one to decide if they outweigh the benefits or not.
Best Way To Feed Eggs To Your Dog
Looking at the pros and cons of all the choices, we believe that hard-boiled eggs are the best option for your dog. They're easy to prepare, safe from any potential illnesses, and still contain most of those good nutrients your pup needs.
As the veterinarians from PetMD argue:
“Hard-boiled is the most foolproof and straightforward method for feeding eggs to your pet, since there is no need for extra non-stick ingredients (i.e., butter, oil, or margarine for scrambling). The cooked egg can be cut into heart chunks, or diced and mixed into the usual kibble. The egg can even be given as is — after it has cooled thoroughly.”
So next time you are making yourself a breakfast, pop a few eggs in the pot and treat your pooch to some eggy goodness. You will start seeing the benefits soon enough!
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