There are a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about raw feeding and it seems that the egg is often dragged through the mud as a dangerous food for dogs. Opponents of eggs claim that they are too high in cholesterol, they pose a risk of salmonella and they cause a biotin deficiency. Eggs are not only a cheap and safe source of raw food for your dog, they are one of the most complete and nutritious meals you can choose!
Eggs are a complete food source. Eggs are an important source of nutrition for not only many predators, but for the chick living inside the egg. Inside the egg are all of the nutrients necessary to grow a new chicken. Eggs are also one of the most complete sources of amino acids, the building blocks of protein.
Eggs are a good source of Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B12, Iron, Selenium and Fatty Acids.
Egg whites contain enzyme inhibitors. One of the reasons pet owners are warned off eggs is that the egg whites contain enzyme inhibitors which can interfere with digestion, especially in very young and old animals. This is true, but it only means that eggs should not be the mainstay of your dog’s diet. It is perfectly safe to feed several eggs a week to the average dog.
If you don’t see evidence of digestive upset when feeding eggs to your dog, then they should have no trouble if eggs are a regular part of their dog. I feed my dogs at least two raw eggs with their raw food every week. It is a great way to entice those picky eaters too.
Egg whites cause Biotin deficiency. Egg whites contain avidin, a biotin inhibitor. Biotin is one of the B vitamins and is important for cellular growth, fatty acid metabolism and good skin and coat. Biotin deficiencies are quite rare and it would take an extraordinary amount of eggs to create a deficiency. Egg yolks are very high in Biotin, so as long as you feed the entire egg, there are few worries. There are other sources of biotin in the diet as well, liver is an excellent source. Cooking the egg white will eliminate the risk but your dog will lose much of the nutritional value. If feeding your dog eggs on a regular basis, simply make sure they get the whole egg, not just the white.
Eggs contain salmonella. Dogs are well equipped to handle the bacteria in raw foods. The health of the hen is also important, so it is best to choose eggs from organic, free-range chickens. Proper storage and keeping the eggs cool will also go a long way toward keeping the harmful bacteria at a manageable level.
Don’t forget the shells. If eggs are fed with the shell on, they are a nearly complete food source for dogs. The shells can also be valuable for dogs that have difficulty eating bones. Simply dry the shells out and grind them in a clean coffee grinder until they are powdered and sprinkle the powder on your dog’s food. It’s important to remember that many eggs are sprayed with a chemical to make them look shiny, so it is best to get your eggs from a local organic farmer.
The importance of the diet of the chicken that lays the eggs can’t be overstated. The amount of nutrients varies in eggs, depending on how they are fed and produced. Pasture raised eggs are best, they are higher in nutrients and more balanced than conventionally raised eggs and are available at every market and local farmer’s market now.
Eggs are an affordable, easily obtained, and an outstanding source of nutrition for your dog. The overall consensus with raw feeders is that the health benefits of eggs certainly outweigh the risks and feeding eggs whole, the way nature intended, goes a long ways to counteract harmful imbalances. Try feeding your dogs a few eggs a week and you’ll see better health, inside and out.
Other Nutrient Dense Foods to Feed Your Dog…
Raw and Raw Fermented milk is the most bioavailable and balanced source of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fatty acids and essentially anything else you can and can’t think of , or has yet to be determined. Because milk is food made by nature it has the enzymes and built-in mechanisms for the body to use 100 percent of the nutrients. It also contains 200 different probiotic strains that not only thrive in a food environment but are further assisted down the digestive tract by specific proteins. This is the most important food item to add to any dog’s diet. Three ounces of milk is about 60 calorie, for healthy dogs you can feed as much milk daily as you want, removing an equivalent amount of their food calories so they’re not overfed. Use daily for best results.
Raw bee pollen contains vitamins, minerals, free amino acids, phytosterols, fatty acids, carotenoids, bioflavonoids, trace elements, enzymes and even live bacteria, making it nature’s multivitamin. This food contains everything a bee needs to thrive and is gathered and naturally fermented by the bees themselves. Which nutrients and how much of each nutrient the pollen contains depends entirely on the plants the bees took the pollen from. Choosing raw bee pollen in the refrigerated or frozen section of the store allows for all the nutrients to stay intact. Work up slowly to one teaspoon per 20 pounds of your dog’s weight. Use daily for best results.
Raw small fish contain a wealth of nutrients as your dog eats the brain, eyes, organs, thyroid, stomach, bones, muscles and much more. Feeding small wild caught fish will help you avoid heavy metals in your dog’s diet.
One ounce of raw fish contains about 50 calories so you can use the fish to replace calories of commercial food or just include it dog’s caloric intake. |