Egg for Dogs

Egg is one of the oldest and best-studied foods there is, and it keeps turning up in canine nutrition too. Whether raw, cooked or as powder: egg brings a special protein quality that sets it apart from many other ingredients. We explain what makes egg special, why it is interesting for dogs and what to watch out for when feeding it.

What is egg?

In canine nutrition, it is mostly hen's egg that is used, less often quail or duck eggs. It essentially consists of two parts: the yolk, which is rich in fat, vitamins and minerals, and the egg white, which consists mainly of water and protein.

Egg is one of the foods with the highest biological value there is. This means your dog's body can convert the protein it contains into the body's own protein particularly efficiently. Besides protein, egg also contains biotin, a B vitamin that plays an important role in metabolism, as well as various other vitamins and minerals.

Why egg for dogs?

Because of its high biological value, egg is considered a particularly efficient protein source: a comparatively small amount of protein is enough to cover a large part of your dog's needs. That is why egg is often given as a supplement in BARF rations or as an occasional topping over normal food.

Egg is especially interesting for:

• Dogs whose ration should include an additional, high-quality protein source
• Growing or developing dogs, or those with increased nutrient needs
• Dog owners who want to supplement BARF rations with natural ingredients

Egg in canine nutrition

When feeding egg, it is worth distinguishing between raw and cooked: raw egg yolk is generally considered unproblematic, while with egg white some caution is advisable because of the avidin it contains, if it is fed regularly in larger amounts. If you are unsure, cooked whole egg is the safe option, where this question does not arise.

The amount also matters: egg is a supplement, not a replacement for a balanced ration, and should be dosed accordingly. The shell, too, is occasionally discussed; finely ground, some use it as an additional source of minerals, though it is not strictly necessary and should only be mixed in in small amounts. If you are unsure how much egg suits your dog's size and ration, checking the feeding recommendation of the respective recipe or talking to your vet practice is the safest way. You can find more raw materials and their significance for canine nutrition in our raw materials glossary.