Egg yolks are packed with nutrients and vitamins, making them an ideal ingredient to include in your pooch's food. Many pet food manufacturers already include egg yolks in their canine formulations because they contain lots of healthy protein in an easily digestible form. You can even add some hard-boiled egg yolks to your pup's food yourself, in moderation of course.
Incredible Egg Yolks
Egg yolks score a perfect 100 for biological value. Biological value indicates how easily the body can absorb the protein and its amino acids to support his bodily functions. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and your pooch needs his diet to supply him with the 10 amino acids his body can't produce on its own. Egg yolks contain all of these essential amino acids in the proportions your pup needs. This makes them an excellent and even more highly digestible source of protein than meat or meat byproducts, according to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Nutritional Value
Egg yolks contain a variety of vitamins for your pooch, including vitamin A, biotin, vitamin B12, iron, folate, selenium, riboflavin and healthy fatty acids, according to "Dogs Naturally" magazine. Unlike egg whites, egg yolks don't contain avidin, an enzyme that can inhibit the absorption of biotin, a B-vitamin necessary for the metabolism of fats, according to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. A biotin deficiency may result in skin and coat issues, according to Waltham. While cooking egg whites can neutralize the avidin in them, avidin is not an issue with egg yolks. Plus, egg yolks are rich in biotin to help keep your dog's skin moisturized and his coat shiny. They also contain the majority of the healthy ingredients in an egg, unlike the egg whites.
To Cook or not to Cook
Controversy exists regarding the safety of feeding raw egg yolks to dogs because of the possibility of contamination with salmonella and other bacteria. While proponents of feeding raw foods, including raw egg yolks, claim the uncooked food contains more nutrients than cooked foods, the difference overall is minimal, according to petMD. It's best to play it safe and give Fido his egg yolks cooked, preferably boiled to avoid adding unhealthy butter or cooking sprays to the yolks when you fry them.
Reading the Ingredients
If you're looking for a dog food that contains egg yolks as one of the main ingredients, read the list of ingredients on the packaging. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires pet food manufacturers to list the ingredients in order of inclusion by weight. Choose foods that list egg yolks or dried egg yolks, specifically, as one of the primary ingredients listed on the label.
Feeding Egg Yolks
When feeding your pooch egg yolks, doing so in moderation is extremely important. Unless directed otherwise by your vet, keep your pup's egg yolk consumption to no more than one per day, petMD recommends. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol and calories, which can quickly pack on the pounds to your pooch. Dogs with kidney disease may benefit from eating a dog food containing egg yolks because they are lower in phosphorus than other proteins and easier to digest because of their high biological value, according to "Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats: Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements."
References
- Dogs Naturally Magazine: Feeding Your Dog Raw Eggs -- Good or Bad?
- petMD: The Incredible, Edible Egg: Nutritional or Deadly for Pets?
- Dog Food Advisor: Judging the Biological Value of a Dog Food Protein
- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine: Nutrition for the Adult Dog
- Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats: Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements; Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Nutrient Data for 01124, Egg, White, Raw, Fresh
- U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference: Nutrient Data for 01125, Egg, Yolk, Raw, Fresh
- University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Can I Feed Eggs From My Chickens to My Dog?
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Selecting Nutritious Pet Foods
Resources
Writer Bio
Based in Las Vegas, Susan Paretts has been writing since 1998. She writes about many subjects including pets, finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green. Her articles, short stories and reviews have appeared on City National Bank's website and on The Noseprint. Paretts holds a Master of Professional Writing from the University of Southern California.
Reviewed by Kathleen Claussen, DVM on December 05, 2021 Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they’re hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be
good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes. But before you start giving your dog eggs every day, there are some things you should know. By and large, eggs are safe for your dog. And, they are healthy. They’re high in protein and a great supplement to your dog’s meals. They can even be good for your dog’s digestive system. Eggs can be a
great source of: One thing to watch out for is raw egg whites. Egg whites contain a protein called avidin, and consuming them uncooked prevents your dog’s body from absorbing biotin. Biotin is an important vitamin for: With a
balanced diet, additional eggs during the week can provide nutritional value. Getting eggs from a trusted source is as important for your dog as it is for you. Free-range farm hens with a good diet lay healthier eggs to eat. You should talk to your vet before regularly feeding your dog
eggs. If your dog has medical conditions, you’ll need to check if adding eggs to their diet can cause problems. Your vet will also help you know the right amount of eggs to give your furry friend. There are people who prefer to give their dogs raw eggs as part of a raw, “natural” diet. But most veterinarians
will recommend cooking the eggs before giving them to your dog. There are some risks to raw eggs. Salmonella. If your dog eats an egg contaminated with salmonella, they could get an infection called Salmonellosis. Symptoms include: Bacterial infection. If you feed your dog expired or old eggs, bacterial growth can upset your pup’s stomach. There is no real nutritional benefit to giving your dog raw eggs. The risk is higher than the reward. Feeding your dog raw eggs could lead to vomiting and
diarrhea. It’s best to steer clear of this form of eggs. Are Eggs Safe for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?
While eggshells contain minerals that dogs need for metabolism, immune function, growth, and development, feeding a whole egg to your dog isn’t recommended. Nutrients in the egg’s shell are also in the egg whites and yolks. Can Dogs Eat Eggshells?
The calcium in the eggshell is the exception. But if your dog has a calcium deficiency, there are better ways to include more calcium in your dog’s diet. In addition to the risk of salmonella, eggshells can be sharp if not crushed properly and can get stuck in your dog’s throat on the way down.
Dogs can eat raw eggs. However, there are still some risks in eating raw eggs. You should not feed your dog eggshells. If the salmonella bacteria is present, most of it will be in the shell.
How Many Eggs Can a Dog Eat in a Day?
One egg a day for your dog is all that is recommended.
If you want to introduce eggs to your dog’s diet, add a cooked egg to their diet. Make sure it doesn’t cause stomach issues like vomiting or diarrhea. If there are no problems, you can start giving them eggs more often.
Eggs shouldn't be the only source of protein your dog gets. If your dog is eating too many eggs and too much protein, you’ll start to see weight gain from the extra calories. You should treat eggs as more of a treat for your dog. A typical large egg has about 60 calories and six grams of protein, with four milligrams of fat. You can talk to your veterinarian about the right amount to give them. They will use several factors to determine how much you should be feeding them eggs. These include:
- Size
- Age
- How active they are
- Any existing health issues
Can Dogs Eat Eggs Every Day?
Now that you've seen that cooked eggs can be a great addition to your dog's meal plan, you might wonder if you should include them every day. While there are many benefits when prepared the right way, you should stick to feeding your furry friend eggs a few days a week.
Every day can be a lot, and the extra protein can cause your dog to become overweight if you're not considering the extra calories the eggs add to your dog's daily food. Talk to your vet about the right amount of egg to add to your dog's diet.