

A single egg fed infrequently will not cause biotin deficiency (which results in poor skin and coat quality). Egg yolks contain high levels of biotin so feeding a whole egg probably negates this effect. The nutritional bits…Įgg white contains avidin which inhibits the availability of a useful vitamin, biotin (B7).
#Feedy healthy free#
Sourcing your eggs from a free range, high welfare source protects the welfare of the hens and reduces the possibility of poor standards encouraging salmonella contamination. These eggs may not be subject to the same controls. However, some eggs sold in the UK are imported and bought by wholesalers.
#Feedy healthy code#
Most large-scale commercial egg producers in the UK adhere to a strict code of practice which virtually eliminates salmonella.
#Feedy healthy cracked#
Cracked and dirty eggs should not be used as the bacterial load may be higher. Eggs should also be brought to room temperature before cooking. Temperature fluctuations encourage bacterial growth and penetration through the shell and egg membrane. This temperature also preserves the yolk membrane, so fewer bacteria transfer into the rich food source of the yolk. If you want to feed raw eggs, then feeding one or two carefully sourced and handled eggs a week is unlikely to harm a healthy dog.Įggs should be stored below 20 0 C as this reduces the growth of the bacteria. Perhaps chop up a recently boiled hard boiled egg or scrambled egg with no fat or spices added. So what should I do?Īs bacterial infection is possible, it may be safer to feed cooked egg. Severely affected dogs will need hospitalisation, intravenous fluid therapy and may need antibiotic therapy to prevent sepsis. Disinfect any areas which have been contaminated with vomit or diarrhoea. Handle food, water bowls and toys carefully to avoid becoming infected. Wash your hands after handling your dog or their excreta. coli infection…įirst, contact your vet and pay special attention to hygiene.

If you suspect your dog has contracted salmonella or E. Immunosuppressed people will also suffer severe disease. Both diseases are zoonotic, so can be spread to humans through an infected dog’s faeces, vomit or saliva. Dogs with underlying conditions that suppress their immune systems, puppies and old dogs are more likely to contract severe disease if they eat a contaminated egg.

They may then develop a high temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea. Initially, dogs may appear lethargic, lose their appetite and appear depressed. Both bacteria can cause gastrointestinal disease ranging from mild nausea and abdominal discomfort to profuse vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Salmonella is the foremost culprit in bacterial contamination of raw eggs (2,3). We will look further at the risk of bacterial contamination. Dogs have eaten raw eggs for centuries and the majority have not succumbed to severe disease. Although individual dogs have suffered disease from contaminated eggs, there have been no major outbreaks in dogs. The danger of bacterial contamination is also sparsely corroborated. It is possible that the egg protein is more digestible when cooked, this was found in one small human study that measured digestibility (1). There is no evidence of nutritional benefit from feeding raw eggs, but there may be some degradation in vitamins and mineral content. The controversy over the feeding of raw eggs centres in the danger of bacterial contamination as opposed to any potential nutritional benefit lost by cooking. We have to be aware of canine calorie intake as dogs need fewer calories than we do so adding treats to a balanced, complete diet can lead to obesity. An egg can be a healthy treat, each one providing 60 calories, with 6g or protein and 4 mg of fat. Eggs are highly nutritious food, providing a vast range of highly digestible protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
