The Importance of Eggs - Beyond the hard exterior

🥚 The Power of Eggs in Canine Nutrition

Eggs are one of nature’s most nutrient-dense superfoods, packed with nearly all essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that dogs need.

✔️ Rich in antioxidants lutein & zeaxanthin (better absorbed from eggs than plants!)

✔️ Double the choline compared to most foods (supports brain, liver, heart & muscle health!)

✔️ 100% metabolizable protein source (meaning dogs absorb all its amino acids!)

💡 Did you know? Dogs have eaten eggs for centuries! Wild canines, including wolves, raided nests for them, and domesticated dogs have long benefited from their nutritional power, especially when recovering from illness.

📊 How Much Should I Feed?

🐾 General feeding routine:

✅ Monday – Egg

✅ Tuesday – Oily Fish

✅ Wednesday – Egg

✅ Thursday – Oily Fish

✅ Friday – Egg

🚫 Saturday & Sunday – No egg or oily fish

🐶 Guideline based on weight:

🔹 This is just a guideline! Adjust as needed based on your dog's individual needs and diet.

🍽️ How Can I Feed Eggs?

There are multiple ways to incorporate eggs into your dog’s diet:

🥄 Whisked & Stored: Whisk an egg, serve in portions, and store the rest in the fridge.

❄️ Frozen Treats: Crack into moulds or freeze whole (duck eggs work great!).

🌀 Defrosted: Serve fully defrosted as a whole meal addition.

🍲 Mixed with Food: Stir directly into your dog’s usual meals.

🍖 On Its Own: Offer raw eggs as an occasional nutrient-rich treat.

💡 Experiment with different methods to see what your dog enjoys most!

🦴 Can I Feed the Shell?

✔️ Eggshells are safe for dogs in the UK—some prefer them crushed, others may refuse them.

✔️ Eggshell membrane is packed with collagen, protein, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, and chondroitin—studies suggest it reduces joint pain by up to 72.5%!

💡 If your dog refuses the shell, peel off the thin membrane inside—this is where the real benefits lie!

🔍 Common Egg Questions

What are the stringy bits on the yolk?

🔸 These chalazae strands help keep the yolk cantered.

✔️ Completely safe & protein-rich—a sign of freshness!

Specks of blood inside an egg?

✔️ Perfectly safe—these are tiny blood vessels in the yolk that don’t affect nutrition or quality.

Does egg source matter?

✔️ Pasture-raised eggs have more beta-carotene, vitamin E, and omega-3s, supporting immune health & coat quality.

✔️ Any eggs are beneficial—don’t worry if you can’t access premium eggs!

🔥 Should I Cook the Egg?

🐕 In the wild, dogs consume eggs raw—and raw eggs retain:

✔️ 25% more omega-3s, choline, vitamin D, biotin, & zinc

✔️ Higher antioxidants & vitamin A (cooking reduces vitamin A by ~20% and antioxidants by 12%)

But What About Salmonella?

✔️ Dogs naturally handle salmonella—it’s present in their gut microbiome, making it rarely a concern.

What About Avidin in Egg Whites?

✔️ Avidin binds to biotin (B-vitamin), but egg yolks contain so much biotin that dogs still absorb plenty!✔️ Feeding whole raw eggs ensures balanced nutrition.

🍳 Prefer to Cook Eggs?

✔️ Soft-boiled eggs are best—boiling for ~3 minutes keeps nutrients intact.

✔️ Poached eggs are an option, but reduce vitamin D by ~20%.

🥚 Freshness Test

Eggshells absorb air over time, making older eggs float due to excess air.

💡 Use the Water Float Test:

1️⃣ Fill a bowl with water

2️⃣ Gently drop the egg in

3️⃣ Observe its position

✔️ Fresh eggs – Sink & lay flat

✔️ Slightly older eggs – Stand upright but stay submerged (safe to eat, but use soon!)

❌ Old eggs – Float (discard!).

🎨 What Does Yolk Colour Mean?

🥚 Light yellow yolk: Indicates wheat-based poultry feed (dogs sensitive to wheat may experience itching or loose stools).

🥚 Darker yellow yolk: Corn-based diet (may cause issues for corn-sensitive dogs).

🥚 Dark yellow/orange yolk: Varied plant diet with greens—these eggs are more nutrient-dense.

💡 Opt for deep yellow/orange yolks for higher-quality nutrition!

🛑 Final Tips

❌ Never microwave or fry pre-made raw dog food containing bone.

❌ Healthy dogs won’t starve themselves—but if they drop to a "3" or lower on the body condition chart, seek vet advice.

❌ Persistent eating concerns? Consult a vet for potential health issues.

Eggs are an easy, affordable superfood to support your dog’s health—whether raw or gently cooked, they bring great nutritional value.

References

Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in plasma after dietary supplementation with egg yolk - PubMed

[Role of the egg in the diet of athletes and physically active people] - PubMed

Role of avidin and other biotin-binding proteins in the deposition and distribution of biotin in chicken eggs. Discovery of a new biotin-binding protein - PubMed

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prospective Clinical Trial Evaluating Water-Soluble Chicken Eggshell Membrane for Improvement in Joint Health in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis - PubMed

The eggshell: structure, composition and mineralization - PubMed

Hen's egg as a source of valuable biologically active substances - PubMed

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