Raw eggs and dogs

[pmjblue]

has anyone an opinion on whether or not to give dogs raw eggs. I used to regularly feed my dogs raw eggs, until a well respected breeder friend of mine told me they were poisonous to dogs, so I havnt dare give them again. Several 'barf' food diets include raw eggs, yet some sites say they are poisonous. Or is it just down to salmonella? Not that I want to chance it, its just as easy to scramble them - but what is everyones opinion?

[Clanad]

No, the concerns have nothing to do with bacterial infection, since the healthy dog's immune system has no problems with the possibility. One site does mention that "There seems to be a generalized concern about feeding raw eggs to dogs and cats, as it is believed that it may lead to biotin deficiency, due to the avidin contained in egg whites, which binds to Biotin interfering with its absorption. While many people understand that when feeding whole raw eggs, the high contents of Biotin in the yolk will offset the avidin in the white, others claim that it is only safe to feed cooked egg whites, as cooking destroys the avidin." However, the same site conducted a poll of dog owners and found that the large majority had no problems feeding dogs raw eggs. As a matter of fact, many such sites recommend feeding the eggs to the dogs stiil in the shells since they, apparently, assist the dog's digestion and the added calcium was seen as a plus. All seemed to recommend feeding dogs raw eggs no more than about 4 eggs a week...

[Noweia]

Since foxes and other canids will happily run off with birds' egg when they can, I don't think raw eggs are poisonous to dogs.

If you buy eggs with the red lion stamp, this means they are from birds that have been vaccinated against Salmonella, so this shouldn't be an issue either.

However I wouldn't give my dogs raw eggs - proper brand pet foods have everything a dog needs!

[Elmek]

when i worked with dogs many years ago a fresh raw egg was mixed in with their feed every day. none were sick from this practice.

[feebee102]

My Great Dane loves raw eggs of any sort.If she can she sneeks into the duck or goose house and pinches them.She's 9 yrs old and doing well.

[meltoadhall]

i often chuck an egg shell and all into my setters breakfast and he is fine

[Goofy]

and they give the coat a nice healthy sheen.

[pmjblue]

well interestingly, I have just found this saying that raw eggs are bad for dogs - think I will play safe and stick to scrambled eggs as they love them. Incidently Goofy, I heard that tea also gives coats a lovely sheen? My girls have wonderful coats anyway, so no problem there - this is the information from the site below -
Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can deplete your dog of biotin, one of the B vitamins. Biotin is essential to your dog�s growth and coat health. Additionally, raw eggs are often contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella, and you could end up giving your dog food poisoning in addition to biotin deficiency.

Symptoms of biotin depletion are hair loss, weakness, growth retardation and skeleton deformity. If your dog is suffering from these symptoms the situation is urgent, and veterinary treatment is needed. Cooked eggs are high in protein and make an excellent treat. It is only the raw eggs that should not be given to your dog.

http://mooreshaven.com/pets/dogs/safety/badfoo dslist.html

[lankeela]

Raw egg yolks are not a problem, it is the egg white that is not recommended to be fed raw.

Having said that, my dogs have always had whole raw eggs, and have not had a problem.

If you are worried, either cook them or just give the yolks.

[Illyria54]

I used to always give my dogs raw eggs,I too have just learned that it is not a good idea, I then spoke to my vet about it and he says that dogs can get salmonella like humans, but their system can take more than ours can so it would take quite a lot of contaminated eggs to do them any harm, so the odd egg won't hurt!

[kaylamay]

not sure about dogs although i've had dogs who loved an eggie now and then. I do sometimes make a kitten formula when i've kittens to bottle feed and the recipe includes egg yolks, but no whites. Maybe something in the whites of the egg?
Mikala

[Snappy]

I feed 1 raw egg and its shell a day. As long as i would be happy to eat them, then so will my dogs

[lankeela]

Do you eat them raw then?

[pmjblue]

Snappy - do you eat your eggs raw - I have no problem giving them cooked ie: scrambled or boiled - but years ago I was told raw eggs were good for them, and more recently have been told the opposite?

[ploddypop]

My dog is only a little Shih Tzu that's one and a half years old. We also have pigeons that he has his eye on but we have been giving him a pigeon egg nearly every second day when we have them.

[pmjblue]

pigeon eggs!, dont think I would want to risk that one!