Is boiled egg good for dogs
Can Dogs Eat Hard Boiled Eggs?
With a long list of human foods that we should never give our dogs, such as almonds, grapes, and chocolate, eggs are great for our pets.
Dogs have had eggs as part of their diet for a very long time. So the answer is YES dogs can eat hard-boiled eggs, and most dogs will love the taste, too.
Moreover, when serving your pooch eggs, boiling them until hard is the safest and most straightforward option.
History shows that canines would even take eggs straight from the birds nests or chicken coops, even if, at present, most dogs do not have the same access to eggs as they have in the past. But while eggs are safe for dogs to eat, owners should know how to prepare eggs for their pups, the benefits of feeding a dog eggs, and any potential side effects or dangers.
RECIPE:Homemade Dog Food with Eggs
How to Prepare Eggs for Your Dog
Even though dogs eat raw eggs, shells, and all, raw eggs are not the most practical way to feed your dog from a birds nest or chicken coup.
Feeding your dog a raw egg could be messy and potentially spread unwanted germs and bacteria, among other reasons mentioned below.
Preparing the egg by hard-boiling is the most foolproof and straightforward method for feeding eggs to your pet.
Making hard-boiled eggs is easy; follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Place the eggs in a pot.
- Cover the eggs with approximately one (1) inch of cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil on medium-high heat.
- Once the water has reached a spot, cover the pot and remove it from the heat.
- Allow the eggs to sit in the water for eight to ten (8-10) minutes.
- Drain the water and cool the eggs in an ice bath.
- Peel and discard the shell, or crush it and serve it with eggs.
The reason that hard boiling eggs for your dog are the suggested cooking method, instead of preparing them other ways (scrambled, over easy, over hard, etc.), is that it is the easiest and cleanest preparation method, and there is no need to add any extra fats, spices or other ingredients.
We tend to add extra stuff when we cook them using non-stick sprays, butter, oil, margarine, or salt, depending on the cooking method of the egg.
A hard-boiled egg cuts eggs into sizes that best fit your pups needs to serve your dog.
If you have a giant dog, you can cut the eggs into hearty chunks, or if you have a small dog, you can dice them into tiny pieces.
When feeding your dog eggs, you can give the pieces to them plain or put them in your dogs kibble as an additional source of protein.
Of course, if you do not want to feed your dog hard-boiled eggs but want them to receive the benefits listed below, you can poach or scramble the eggs, but remember not to add any additional ingredients.
The Benefits of Hard-Boiled Eggs for Dogs
Eggs are packed with nutrients. Like humans, there are many benefits that your dog can receive if they eat eggs. Eggs help your dog in the following four ways:
It promotes muscle development and helps repair damaged tissues.Eggs contain a high amount of quality protein to help your dog build muscle and repair any damaged tissues.
Settles uneasy stomachs.Eggs can help settle upset stomachs, so a hard-boiled egg can be a meal replacement or substitute if your dog has been ill or refuses to eat.
Good source of calcium, selenium, and riboflavin.Eggs promote strong, healthy bones because they contain the calcium that dogs need.
They also contain other vitamins and minerals that are essential to the overall health of your dog.
Excellent source of fatty acids and essential amino acids.Eggs are an excellent source of many essential amino acids and fatty acids.
By providing your dog with fatty acids and essential amino acids, you will help strengthen their hair and improve the quality and look of their coat.
If you want to use eggs as an occasional meal replacement or if your dog is sick, it is recommended to ask your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist how many eggs it would take to be a proper meal substitution.
Your vet or nutritionist will be able to give you the best answer by considering your dogs breed, weight, health, and the reason for meal substitution.
Even though eggs are pretty safe for most dogs, overfeeding your dog can result in obesity and other health problems.
Shell Or No Shell?
As previously mentioned, dogs would eat the eggs directly from the nests raw, shell included.
Studies have shown that eggshells contain an excellent source of protein and calcium, which are great for developing strong bones and teeth in canines.
Once the egg has been properly hard-boiled and cooled, you can serve the shell to your dog by simply crushing it into smaller pieces after it has been peeled from the egg.
Once the shell is removed, you will want to crush the eggshells using some food processor, grinder, or even put it in a baggy plastic use the bottom of a pan.
However, you choose to decrease the size of the shell, make sure it crushes into fine pieces.
Then, sprinkle the shells over your pups regular food source for extra nutrition. You do not have to feed all of the shots to your dog at one time.
Depending on the size of your dog, you may want to spread out the amount of shell that they eat. You can always refrigerate the eggshells for later use.
Potential Side Effects of Eggs for Dogs
Eggs, when fed to dogs in moderation, are generally safe, but there are a few side effects associated with providing your dog eggs when its not done correctly:
- They are at risk of salmonella poisoning if they eat the eggs raw;
- Dogs are at risk of biotin deficiency if they are fed only the egg whites for an extended period;
- They are at risk of obesity if they are provided too many eggs in addition to their regular food (eggs range between 50 and 100 calories per egg).
Side effects from feeding eggs to dogs are rare, but you should provide them to your dog after being thoroughly cooked and in moderation.
Common Questions about Can Dogs Eat Hard-Boiled Eggs
The above information lets you know that dogs eat eggs and are safe, but you may still have some questions about feeding hard-boiled eggs or other eggs to your dog.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Yes! Eggs are good for dogs to eat, thanks to being a rich source of protein. They also contain vitamin A and other fat-soluble vitamins and linoleic acid.
Can Dogs Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Yes, just like dogs can eat hard-boiled eggs, they can also enjoy scrambled ones. The key is to keep the ingredients simple.
Dont add salt or pepper as you would to your eggs. You should also avoid using butter or oil.
Follow the same rules when cooking eggs in any way for your pup. Your pup can eat the egg yolks as well as the whites but shouldnt have non-dog-friendly foods in them.
Can I Feed My Dog Eggs Every Day?
Yes, you can give eggs to your dog every day but with a few important caveats. The AKC suggests sticking to one egg per day at the most.
They also suggest sticking to organic eggs, which means they dont contain chemicals that could be bad for your pup.
Finally, think of eggs as treats and make sure they dont make up more than 10% of your pups daily diet.
Are Raw Eggs Good for Dogs?
Their wild ancestors ate raw eggs, but you shouldnt feed your dog them. They can contain salmonella, which is dangerous for canines.
Are Egg Shells Good for Dogs?
Yes, but with caveats. Eggshells provide protein and calcium, but you cannot feed them to your dog without grinding them up.
You dont want to feed your dog whole (or mostly whole) eggshells because of the sharp edges.
Instead, dog owners should grind them into tiny pieces and mix the shells in something else, like wet food or a treat.
RECIPE: Dog Food Meal for Sick Dog with Eggs
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Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
Many pet parents wonder which human foods are good for their pets. A common question that I get from pet parents at my animal hospital is: Can dogs eat eggs?
Heres everything you need to know about the nutritional value of eggs for dogs.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs? Can Dogs Eat Cooked Eggs?
The answer is yes, cooked eggs are good for dogs! Dogs can eat hard-boiled or scrambled eggs. The main objective is that the eggs need to be cooked. Do not feed raw eggs to dogs.
Eggs are good for dogs as they provide an excellent source of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein.
Essentially the entire egg, including the eggshell, can be nutritious for dogs.
Can Puppies Eat Eggs?
Yes, puppies can eat eggs. Eggs offer the same nutritional value for puppies as they do for adult dogs.
Are Raw Eggs Good for Dogs?
There is no nutritional benefit in feeding raw eggs to dogs.
There is, however, the risk of your dog contracting Salmonella infection from a raw egg. This bacterial infection can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
For more information on egg safety, please refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;this information on Salmonella applies to people and animals.
Can Some Dogs Be Allergic to Eggs?
Dogs tend to be allergic to proteins in food. Since eggs have protein, dogs can become allergic to eggs.
Signs that your dog is having an allergic reaction include gastrointestinal (GI) issues like vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes they can have skin issues like itchiness around the ears, paws, and other areas.
If you see any of these signs, seek help from your local veterinarian. For more information about food allergies in dogs, please refer to Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University.
Why Are Eggs Good for Dogs? What Are the Health Benefits?
Each part of a cooked egg offers health benefits for dogs: the egg yolk, eggshell, and egg white.
Egg Yolks Contain Fatty Acids and Vitamins
Dogs need fatty acids and vitamins, and egg yolks provide both.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are concentrated in the egg yolk.
Fatty acids are consumed as saturated and unsaturated fats in a dogs diet. A dogs body breaks down the fat, and it is absorbed through the GI tract.
Once inside, fatty acids are used to build and maintain body cells.
Fatty acids also provide a delivery system for fat-soluble vitamins. Dogs are not predisposed to heart disease like people, so we dont worry about their cholesterol.
Vitamins
Vitamins are consumed as water-soluble and fat-soluble nutrients in a dogs diet.
Vitamins serve as catalysts and building blocks in metabolism, immune function, growth, and development.
These vitamins are concentrated in the egg yolk:
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B12
Riboflavin
Niacin
Folic acid
Choline
Eggshells Contain Necessary Minerals
Minerals are also necessary for dogs, and theyre consumed as salts in a dogs diet.
They serve as catalysts and building blocks in metabolism, immune function, growth, and development.
These nutrients are concentrated in eggshells but also found in egg whites and yolks:
Calcium
Phosphorus
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Manganese
Selenium
Iodine
Egg Whites Provide Amino Acids
Dogs need amino acids. Amino acids are consumed as meat and plant-based protein in a dogs diet.
A dogs body breaks down the protein, and it is absorbed through the GI tract. Once inside, the protein is used to build and maintain muscles.
These nutrients are concentrated in the egg white:
Arginine
Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
How Much Egg Can a Dog Eat?
Eggs can be great as special treats for your dog.
The average egg contains 60 calories and has roughly 6 grams of protein and 4 milligrams of fat.
To figure out how much to feed your dog, you should talk with your veterinarian. The appropriate serving size of eggs as treats for your dog will depend on a variety of factors, including:
Size
Age
Activity level
Existing health issues
How to Feed Eggs to Your Dog
The safest way to feed eggs to your dog is to hard boil them and chop them up. Its safest to feed eggs to your dog immediately after cooking.
Store eggs at 40F when raw and boil eggs at 160F to properly cook them. If youre not serving them right away, it is recommended to refrigerate them at 40F until ready to serve.
Featured Image: iStock.com/MeePoohyaphoto
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