Are eggs too high in fat for dogs
Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
When dogs were in the wild, they could snatch eggs out of birds nests and eat them raw. Today, dogs dont need to hunt for their own food, but eggs still provide a good amount of protein for dogs. As long as eggs are consumed safely, they can make excellent treats or dietary supplements for dogs.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
Eggs can be a great source of nutrition for dogs. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog, inside and out.
Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from. Try to feed your dog eggs that are from free-range farm hens fed an organic diet. If you can get them from a trusted source, that is ideal. Just like us, chickens are as healthy as what they eat, and healthier chickens lay healthier, more nutritious eggs.
Before feeding your dog eggs, talk to your vet. Some dogs with medical conditions shouldnt eat eggs, so always check first. Consuming too many eggs can also lead to health problems like obesity, so talk to your vet about the appropriate amount of eggs to feed your dog.
With that said, sometimes eggs can be used to help settle upset stomachs. Also, its not a good idea to use eggs as your dogs main meal. But when served cooked, eggs can be a great occasional treat.
How Can Eggs Help Dogs?
Eggs provide important minerals and vitamins for dogs, including:
- Iron
- Fatty acids
- Folate
- Protein
- Riboflavin
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
These nutrients and vitamins help support your dogs overall health, as well as their skin and coat.
Can I Feed My Dog Raw Egg?
Most veterinarians recommend cooking eggs fully before feeding them to your dog.There are a few concerns about feeding raw eggs to dogs that owners should be aware of, including:
- Salmonella: Dogs may be at risk of coming into contact with salmonella bacteria when eating raw eggs or other raw foods. Owners who feed raw eggs to dogs could also be exposed to salmonella. If a dog eats an egg contaminated by salmonella, they could get an infection called salmonellosis. The symptoms of salmonellosis include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
- Biotin deficiency: Feeding raw eggs can lead to biotin deficiency, as egg whites contain avidin, an enzyme that prevents the absorption of biotin in the body. Biotin is a vitamin that supports healthy skin, metabolism, cells, and digestion. Biotin deficiencies are rare in dogs, but they can happen.
- Bacteria: As eggs go bad, they can grow bacteria that can harm your dog.
Dogs can also be allergic to various sources of protein, including eggs. Watch your dog for any symptoms of an allergic reaction, including sneezing, swelling, hives, problems breathing, lethargy, or coughing.
Before feeding raw eggs to your dog, talk to your vet.
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Raw Egg
If your dog eats raw egg, monitor them for any problematic symptoms, including the symptoms of salmonellosis. Its also a good idea to chat with your vet and take your dog in for a check-up, just in case.
Can Dogs Eat Eggshells? Are Eggshells Nutritious for Dogs?
Before giving your dog eggshells, talk to your vet first. Eggshells contain calcium, which some dogs may need to be supplemented in their diets. However, there are easier ways to give your dog more calcium, and eggshells arent the tastiest option. Plus, egg shells have sharp edges that can hurt your dogs throat or internal organs.
Eggshells can help older, arthritic dogs. Eggshell membranes significantly reduced joint pain and improved joint function in 51 dogs experiencing a range of joint problems, according to a 2016 study. If your dog has arthritis, your vet may recommend supplements or medication to help their symptoms.
How to Safely Feed Your Dog Eggs
Eggs should be cooked before being given to a dog. Cook or boil eggs plain, without oil, butter, salt, seasoning, spices, or other additives. It doesnt matter how your dog likes their eggs sunny side up, scrambled, or hard-boiled as long as they are fully cooked. There are several ways to integrate eggs into your dogs diet, from the occasional bite of hardboiled egg to sprinkled scrambled eggs on top of dog food.
Start by feeding your dog just one egg. Watch them for any signs of gastrointestinal distress, like diarrhea or vomiting. As long as they dont show any digestive discomfort, you should have no trouble giving them eggs.
High Cholesterol in Dogs
What Is High Cholesterol in Dogs?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in all cells in the body.
While it has a bad reputation, cholesterol itself is not bad. Some cholesterol is necessary to make certain hormones, utilize certain vitamins, and build new cells. Its only when a dog has too much cholesterol that it can become a problem.
High cholesterol is often referred to as hyperlipidemia, or too many fats in the bloodstream. This is measured by levels of both triglyceride and cholesterol, different types of fats that circulate in the blood.
A dogs cholesterol level is considered high when its measured outside the normal blood range (120-270 mg/dL).
High cholesterol is common in dogs and not always indicative of a problem. Often, cholesterol and triglyceride levels are just temporarily high after theyve had a high-fat meal.
Other times, cholesterol may be high because of underlying disease or genetic predisposition.
High cholesterol in dogs is not considered a medical emergency by itself.
However, many conditions that can cause high cholesterol should be addressed by your vet.
Symptoms of High Cholesterol in Dogs
Most cases of high cholesterol in dogs show no symptoms and are often found during routine blood tests. However, if symptoms do show, they may include:
Causes of High Cholesterol in Dogs
High cholesterol in dogs can be caused either through an underlying condition or a specific event. This includes:
How Veterinarians Diagnose High Cholesterol in Dogs
High cholesterol in dogs is diagnosed with a physical exam, blood work, and a urinalysis.
If you are specifically testing your dogs cholesterol levels, its important to avoid feeding them a fatty meal right before their appointment. Ideally, try to withhold food for at least 12 hours before your visit.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional lab work when searching for an underlying cause of high cholesterol.
Treatment of High Cholesterol in Dogs
High cholesterol in dogs cant be cured but it can be managed.
The treatment of high cholesterol in dogs focuses on minimizing fats in your pups diet. A low-fat diet that is high in fiber can be helpful to reduce the amount of circulating fats in the bloodstream.
A low-fat diet will probably be recommended for life, as management of high cholesterol is a lifelong commitment. Similarly, limiting high-fat treats, feeding your dog the right amount, and good exercise habits are helpful for your dog to maintain a healthy weight.
If an underlying disease is present, then treatment is primarily geared toward management of the underlying health condition.
Always encourage regular exercise with your dog. Daily long walks are great for fat burning and building muscle tone.
Consider a food puzzle to keep your dogs mind engaged and slow down intake so that they feel more full while eating. Be sure to observe portion control and avoid feeding table scraps.
If any medications are prescribed by your veterinarian for other underlying medical conditions, follow the instructions. Dont skip follow-up appointments, as they are helpful in adjusting the medication and finding the best routine for your dog to stay healthy.
Some dogs who have high cholesterol may benefit from a fish oil supplement such as Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Soft Gels. While fish oil is a type of fat, it is primarily composed of omega-3 fatty acids, which are an example of good cholesterol. They may help lower the bad cholesterol and overall fat levels in the bloodstream.
Always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements.
Prevention of High Cholesterol in Dogs
While genetics play a large part in cholesterol levels in dogs, you can help your dog by helping them to maintain a healthy weight by:
Feeding your pup the recommended amount of food based on their size and age.
Avoiding too many treats or overfeeding during mealtimes.
Not leaving food out all day; many pets will snack because theyre bored.
Not feeding your dog table scraps or other high-fat treats that can alter their cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol in Dogs FAQs
What can dogs eat to lower cholesterol?
Dogs should eat a fat restricted diet to minimize their cholesterol.
Are eggs bad for dogs cholesterol?
While eggs are OK for most healthy dogs cholesterol levels, this may not be the case for dogs who have high cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia.
Egg yolks are a source of triglycerides and cholesterol, and are not ideal for dogs with elevated lipids (fats) in their bloodstream.
Featured Image:BjelicaS/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
WRITTEN BY
Melissa Boldan, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Melissa Boldan graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She initially practiced mixed animal...
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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