[StormyPeak]

I wasn't sure whether to put this in food, or dog health...but since it concerns allergies...I figured here.

I'm almost 52 and have had dogs my whole life...and my whole life, when I could afford it, I have given my dogs raw eggs, either as treats - like one every few weeks or sometimes even on a more regular basis, like one a week...for a while if they had been recovering from an illness.

Anyway, I was corresponding with an old acquaintance via email this week and she does a lot of dog rescue work and wild animal recovery...helps them and then sends them back into the wild if possible....otherwise finds permanent homes for them at zoos or other long term rescue facilities.

I mentioned I was giving my current dogs a raw egg each week and she was dead set against it...especially since Jaya is dealing with allergies. She said that eggs (raw or not) were an absolute 'no no' when it came to dogs. I was kind of surprised by this news.

As mentioned, for like 40 years I've had different dogs who had been fed raw eggs and sometimes cooked one's when I've broke the yoke on one that I fried and I like a soft yoke. I've never seen any allergic reactions triggered or directly caused by the eggs.

With Jaya, given she stops scratching in the winter, I'm almost certain her allergies are pollen related more than food related. And HaHa's never started scratching after eating an egg.

It wasn't until about 2 months ago that I started giving them a raw egg about every other week as a treat mixed in with their dry dog food. My budget before that wouldn't allow me to 'waste' my eggs on my dogs. But I got a small increase in my budget and started doing so, and Jaya's allergy issues predated me giving her an egg upon occasion. I don't do it, but it seems like I read somewhere that some people even grind up the shell and let the dogs eat that too as a source of extra calcium...so I know I'm not the only person giving dogs raw eggs.

So...those of you with raw food knowledge... what's your opinion on giving dogs raw eggs? Has new info come out on it, and I'm behind the times and should I stop doing it...or just go on a case by case basis as many dogs are not allergic them?

Stormy

 

[sassafras]

My only concern with raw eggs is that in large quantities they can interfere with normal absorption of some vitamins.

Having said that, you would need to feed a tremendous amount of eggs for that to be a concern. The way you're feeding them is fine and won't cause that problem. I feed mine raw eggs from time to time up to an egg each 2-3x/week when we're mushing a lot in the fall and winter.

Some people are concerned with Salmonella, that depends largely on where you get your eggs and your risk tolerance. I don't worry about it, but I eat raw cookie dough, too.


ETA: Specifically wrt allergies... no food is inherently allergenic. If a dog isn't allergic to eggs, then s/he's not allergic to eggs and it's fine to feed IMO.

 

[Gnostic Dog]

Oscar has a raw egg two or three times a week at least.

 

[Grabby]

According to Linda Case, a dog food nutritionist, raw egg whites contain a trypsin inhibitor which reduces a dog's ability to digest the protein in it's diet. This would only be a problem if large amounts of raw egg are fed. As for allergies, if the dogs aren't showing signs of an allergic reaction, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[cos]

Cosmo gets raw eggs a couple times a week with his food, and sometimes I'll blend the shell into a dust and mix it in to get some extra calcium. some people feed them whole, shell and all, but I dustify and mix his because I tried that and he started coughing and I imagine egg pieces are sharp.

 

[icemaiden]

I've been giving my dogs (regularly) raw and occasionally cooked eggs for over 20 years and have never had any kinds of problems. I believe, in nature, dogs, wolves, foxes etc will seek out birds nest/eggs fallen out of nests and thoroughly enjoy them.

 

[StormyPeak]

Thanks everyone for taking the time and giving me your input on this. I respect my acquaintance, and she was so insistent that raw eggs were bad...and I know too that she feeds her rehab/rescues a raw diet...so I really started to doubt what I have done for several decades in giving my dogs eggs.

She also said that raw eggs can contain salmonella which can be deadly to dogs. I always thought that dogs have so much acid in their bellies that a dog could handle it, especially given how many times I've seen my dogs roll on, and probably lick at, dead things they've found - seems like that would be just as bad as far as bacteria...etc...

So I think I'll just keep giving my dogs a few raw eggs a month and not worry too much about the allergy issue or other stuff. I probably will have Jaya tested in the spring...and that will be what will make me stop if it turns out she is allergic. But I've never noticed any increase in her scratching after giving her an egg. HaHa doesn't react to them either.

Stormy

 

[Weenie]

I don't see any issue with it, especially if you only see flare ups during summer months of the year, and your giving egg treats year round.
I would suggest feeding the complete shell with the egg treat if you can though, the shell is packed with wonderful calcium, just crush it up the best you can. Kinda gross I know, but it's good for them.

 

[crazy]

ive wondered about giving Jessie eggs or not because im not sure how often to feed her raw egg but i would like to and test her PH few hours later to see what happens.

 

[Zephyrdog]

Yeah I feed my dog raw eggs every so often, and she is absolutely fine. I think I remember reading a while ago about the risk of salmonella in raw eggs and raw chicken, and it is actually not as dangerous for dogs, as their digestive system works a lot faster than humans (carnivorous digestive tract) and so there is less chance for dogs to get sick. I haven't independently researched this though....

 

[icemaiden]

ive wondered about giving Jessie eggs or not because im not sure how often to feed her raw egg but i would like to and test her PH few hours later to see what happens.

Maybe you could try just the yoke to see how it effects her. If she's OK with it, then maybe 2-3 per week.

 

[crazy]

Maybe you could try just the yoke to see how it effects her. If she's OK with it, then maybe 2-3 per week.

Thanks I sure will try that! Btw can eggs clear up inflammation on skin? Jess belly all sudden got inflamed other day better then was but not normal yet. Bought coconut oil extra virgin one last night. Tried the usual cream which rarely use. Not much luck. Might try tripe only for few days she getting good 100gm of it in morning which she loves.

 

[PoppyKenna]

Funny that your friend is comfortable with raw meat, but is concerned about salmonella in eggs.