The dog has raided the chicken coop and feasted on the eggs! Obviously, dogs can eat eggs but the important question is Are eggs one of the human foods that have dangerous effects on the dog?
Providing the pet with the right kind and the right amount of food is the responsibility of dog owners. From the time the puppy was taken from the breeder up to adulthood, the nutritional needs of the dog must be provided. Dog owners would naturally want to maintain the health of the pet. Dogs are well loved pets thus owners would do anything possible to ensure the long life of the dog. Unfortunately, canine diseases cannot be totally prevented. Obesity is a common concern of companion dogs. Commercially prepared dog foods, even those hyped to be of premium quality typically contains more than 50% carbohydrates. Treats given to dogs are usually high in fat content. This of course is not an ideal diet for a dog. Fat could have been used for energy if the dog is highly active but because most companion dogs are left at home all day, less physical exertion results to obesity.
Being mainly carnivorous, dogs would thrive on high protein foods. An egg would be a great addition to the diet of the dog. An egg is a good source of high quality protein. This protein has all the amino acids essential to canines. Apart from being highly digestible, eggs have a very high biological value. Biological value is a kind of measurement that determines how well protein is absorbed by the body to be used for growth. Intake of foods that have high biological values allows the body to absorb, utilize and retain more nitrogen. As compared to the eggs biological value of 93 to 100 %, fishs is around 92%, milk is around 88% and beef around 77%. Eggs are excellent sources of vitamins and mineral as well.
An egg is actually considered as three separate foods so that the pet parent can cater to the specific need of the pet. You can give the dog the whole egg, the egg white or only the egg yolk. The fat content of eggs will be used for energy. Highly energetic or working dogs can be given whole eggs. Obese and less active dogs should cut down on carbohydrates and fat intake. As mentioned, eggs have high fat content. This does not mean though that eggs can no longer be made a part of the dogs diet. The dog can still get the protein and other vitamins by giving the dog only egg whites. Egg whites are high in protein but very low in fat and almost have no cholesterol. Egg white though is a good source of riboflavin or vitamin B2. Dogs are not very choosy with what they eat and although egg whites are less tasty as compared to egg yolks, a serving of egg whites will be relished by the dog. Eggs are good sources of biotin, the water soluble vitamin that aid in the metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The inclusion of egg whites in the dogs diet must be done in moderation as egg whites has a substance that hinders biotin from being absorbed by the body.
A dog would not gain health benefits from the egg itself alone. Did you know that egg shells are practically pure calcium? Powdered egg shell can fortify the bones and give the dog a healthy and shiny coat. Raw or cooked, an egg given two to three times a week will provide top nutrition for the dog.
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