To this day, there is an immense discussion on the subject of whether dogs can eat eggs or not, it is even argued that if they do, it is best that they eat it raw instead of having been cooked. It seems that there are supporters of all kinds of ideas, so in this article we want to show you the main benefits of including eggs in your dog's diet and what the possible drawbacks are.
Can dogs eat eggs?
The answer we give you, in principle, is yes, in fact not only can they eat it, but also, the egg is a food that is very nutritious, in particular because of the large amount of protein, fat, minerals and even vitamin D. that contain. That is, the egg is a food that contains great nutritional value at a biological level. As long as it doesn't turn out that the dog is allergic, which is a totally fortuitous matter.
We have to tell you that the vast majority of dogs can eat eggs in their normal diet, either because they consume it through the type of feed you buy at the supermarket, or through a natural diet such as ACBA, which means Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding, and which is a method of feeding that is widely used today.
Is raw or cooked egg better?
At this point, you will find many opinions about it and we have to indicate that all of them are correct. There are people who claim that raw eggs manage to provide more nutrients than cooked eggs, and in that they are right, because during the cooking process of the egg, it will lose some of its much-esteemed nutritional properties.
But those who affirm that it is better to give the cooked egg, will also be partly right, for the simple reason that a food that has been cooked is better assimilated in the body and is more digestible for your pet. So, whether it is raw or cooked, dogs can eat eggs and that will be very beneficial for them.
Another point is the kind of cooking with which you are going to prepare the egg and, in this regard, we have to tell you that you should never give your dog a fried egg. If you choose to give your dog a cooked egg, you can do so by cooking an unsalted French omelette, or in the form of a boiled egg without the shell, even as a poached egg, if you like.
Is it good to give them the shell too?
In case the egg is raw, there are many people who also give their dog the shell. In fact, there are people who give it to them whole and others who eat it after having crushed it a bit. But we recommend that you never give the dog the eggshell.
What is the reason of that? Well, if the shell is raw, it can make your dog sick with salmonellosis, something that will greatly harm his health. But, if it's cooked, it usually becomes a sharp instrument that can cause tears in your dog's digestive system.
So, in our opinion, dogs can eat eggs, but don't give them the shells. The shell will only provide them with calcium and there are other much safer ways for your dog to acquire calcium without inconvenience, such as with meaty bones.
How many eggs can a dog eat?
Dogs can eat all the eggs you want to give them, but we advise you to use your common sense, considering that everything that is consumed in excess is harmful. It is true that there is no exact amount of eggs that a dog can eat, but by way of example, if you weigh about fifteen kilos, it is reasonable that you eat one boiled egg without the shell a week, while a large dog of forty kilos eats two weekly.
How should I give my dog eggs?
You can do it like any other food, you can place it in his food bowl as a reward for his behavior, or as a snack. Another thing you can do is mix it with your regular food for extra flavor.
In case the egg has been cooked, what you have to do is wait for it to cool down a bit, to prevent your dog from burning. If the egg is cold because you took it out of the fridge, we recommend that you let it come to room temperature before giving it to your dog.
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