Can dogs eat egg yolk? [Safely]

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Once frowned upon by the medical establishment as a source of too much cholesterol, eggs are now back on the favored list for both humans and dogs. Why? They are a great source of many nutrients. Some of these are Selenium, Riboflavin, Folate, Fatty Acids, Vitamin B12, and Iron. A bonus from eggs for your dog is a glossy coat and skin health.

CAN I FEED MY DOGS EGGS EVERY DAY?

Just like humans, dogs can get too much of a good thing. Even though eggs are high in the nutrients listed above, they also contain calories. You are probably safe giving your dog one egg every other day. Also take into consideration the size of your dog and his/her caloric needs to avoid overfeeding. When in doubt, ask your vet. For example, it is much easier to overfeed a Dachshund or a Lhasa Apso than a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd.

CAN LHASA APSO EAT EGGS?

Surely. They seem as eager as any other breed to consume an egg. Remember that Lhasa Apso is a small breed, so overfeeding them can occur more quickly than with a larger dog.

CAN ENGLISH BULLDOGS EAT EGGS?

According to Shrink-A-Bull, “eggs really are the best source of nutrition for an English Bulldog. Eggs are high in Omega 3 fatty acids and contain needed vitamins in natural form.” They make excellent treats as well as dietary supplements. Every part of the egg, including the shell, contains nutrients that can benefit your dog.

AT WHAT AGE CAN A PUPPY EAT EGGS?

Puppies can begin to eat eggs as soon as they are in the process of being weaned from the mother’s milk. Most breeders keep the puppies until they are about twelve weeks old. Any time after that is fine to give your new puppy an egg a day, or every other day. It is fine to give him a cooked yolk alone, but not just the white. Eating just egg whites can result in a deficiency of the nutrient biotin, aka Vitamin B7.

CAN I FEED MY PUPPY EGGS EVERY DAY?

If your pup tolerates the egg and is in no danger of getting overfed, he/she can have one every day. Do remember that many pups develop gas from eggs in their diet, and may smell unpleasant at times as a result.

CAN DOGS EAT POACHED EGGS?

They sure can. But take care not to salt them. Pets usually do not need the extra salt. Remember: once upon a time dogs roamed wild and ate eggs from birds’ nests. These days finding eggs in nests is a rare occurrence. Because we are now giving them chicken eggs, we want to be as careful with their preparation as we would be for ourselves. That means no raw eggs; therefore, no salmonella. Poached and hard boiled are fine.

MORE ON RAW EGGS

Even though there have been no health scares about raw eggs transmitting diseases to cats and dogs, it is safer to avoid them. Especially since eating the eggs raw does not impart any significant health benefits. There can be problems with raw egg whites. The whites contain a protein called avidin, which interferes with the functioning of Vitamin B7. B7 functions in many ways, including the growth of the cells, metabolism of fat, and transference of carbon dioxide, to name just a few. After all, it takes just a few minutes to poach an egg and a few more minutes to hard boil one. If you hard boil three or four at a time, you can store them in the fridge and have several days’ supply at the ready.

CAN DOGS EAT HARD BOILED EGGS?

Of course. And you may be surprised to learn that eating the shells is beneficial for them also, as the shells contain calcium. Many dogs seem to enjoy crunching on the shells when you give the egg to them in pieces. You can tap the egg against a counter top, tapping it on all sides until the shell has many cracks. Then your pet can bite right into the egg, shell and all. If not, grinding up the shell and adding it to their other food works as well.

CAN DOGS EAT EGGS WITH SALT AND PEPPER?

It’s much better to give them a cooked egg without salt or pepper. If you happen to be eating an omelette yourself and give your dog a piece of it, there will be little effect from the seasonings. But extra salt for a dog is just as hazardous as extra salt for you and me.

CAN DOGS EAT OMELETTE?

They can from time to time, but not on a regular basis. Whether you’re a dog or a human, a plain hard boiled or poached egg has no added calories. As soon as you turn the egg into an omelette, you have added milk or cream, cooking oil, and, perhaps, bacon or some other meat. In so doing, you have increased the caloric content of the egg. Dogs are just as content with a hard boiled or poached egg. Save the extra calories! You don’t want an obese, inactive pet.

CAN DOGS EAT EGG SALAD?

Dogs can have cooked eggs, so that ingredient in egg salad is fine. If your dog likes mayonnaise, he/she will probably not become sick after eating some. Could you have pickles or pickle relish in the egg salad and still give it to your dog? The amount of relish in a standard human serving of egg salad should not cause your pooch any problems. As always, and especially in hot weather, take care that the egg salad is not sitting out of refrigeration for very long, one hour max when the temp is 90 degrees F or above. Listeria, Salmonella, and Staph are bacteria that will often grow in foods with mayonnaise if not refrigerated. Ignoring this advice can make you sick as a dog, as well as your pet.

CAN PREGNANT DOGS EAT EGGS?

A pregnant dog, like a pregnant human, needs extra high quality calories for her developing offspring. Once her time of morning sickness is over (yes, dogs can get morning sick when they’re pregnant) the Purina company recommends a hard boiled egg added to her daily diet. The egg will boost her protein intake at the time she needs it most. Sometimes the egg protein will help settle her queasy stomach, definitely a plus!

WHAT CAN I FEED MY SICK DOG?

That will depend on the sickness. Scrambled eggs can help settle the upset stomach of your dog. If your pet has diarrhea, he/she can quickly become dehydrated. Then the scrambled eggs can help replace some of the lost fluid. Puppies can also have scrambled eggs. If the sickness is one that requires medication in pill form, you can try the practice of my friend Rosy. She tucks the pill into the yolk of a hard boiled egg, and Freya wolfs it down without any problem.

CONCLUSION

Considering all the protein and other nutrients in eggs, and their low cost, why wouldn’t you include them in your dog’s diet? Their low cost and nutritional value, when compared with other treats, make your choice of eggs a no-brainer.

Can dogs eat egg yolk?