The question of whether german shepherds can have eggs or not is as simple as black and white and has a definitive answer; YES, they can! Eggs can be a great addition to your German shepherd’s diet, especially if you are looking for fresh foods that provide a good amount of protein and all other essential nutrients to your canine.
However, whether your german shepherd can eat raw eggs in its system or not is a whole different ballgame and needs proper evaluation to reach any conclusion. And before doing that, we shall evaluate how the digestive system of a german shepherd works and why cooked eggs may become beneficial or harmful for your canine.
German shepherds are active dogs who love to play outdoors. Often you might think that most foods that you eat should also be safe for them because they are strong mammals. But several reasons prove otherwise. One of these reasons is the way their digestive system works.
What is the makeup of a german shepherd’s digestive system?
All domestic dogs, including German shepherds, have the ancestry of wild wolves. Whether ancient or modern, Wolves are known as “original carnivores.”
The word refers to the wolf’s ability to absorb solely animal protein. And the only plant-based things a wolf would ever eat is whatever is already there in its prey’s stomach, and even then, it’s usually not digested completely.
Domesticated dogs, unlike cats, are not indefinite carnivores; instead, they are like humans, omnivores. This means that dogs can eat either animal or plant materials and digest both, contrary to wolves and cats. Eggs are pure lean meat. Thus they should be on your german shepherd’s plate, at least theoretically.
However, as we previously stated, there is indeed a huge amount of misinformation and debate about whether or not eggs can be included in your german shepherd’s diet, and also how to cook eggs safely for simple digestion.
Regardless of the uncertainty, eggs contain many benefits for german shepherds, so read along to find out more about them!
Benefits of eggs for german shepherds
The benefits are derived from the fact that eggs carry a vast variety of essential nutrients in them, which aid german shepherds to do their daily tasks and help them improve their health. Eggs include the following nutrients, which is why they become such a cool addition to your german shepherd’s diet!
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a nutrient responsible for your pet’s eyesight. It will also improve dramatically, allowing it to see clearly at night.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient for every german shepherd, is abundant in eggs. Vitamin B12 helps your dog’s brain work properly by promoting intestinal health. This vitamin also aids in the production of red blood cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a variety of problems in your dog. Consequently, you may run the risk of raising a german shepherd who is perpetually tired, sad, or unhappy.
Riboflavin
In eggs, there is a lot of riboflavin, which is needed for food digestion in your german shepherd’s body. Hence, eating eggs will help your german shepherd to modify food to energy easily. Riboflavin, along with other minerals, promotes the development of antibodies, which help the body fight diseases and infections. This component of the egg also aids in the absorption of iron.
Folate
Eggs include folate, which is important for your german shepherd’s health. Folate aids in cell creation and maintenance, essential for your pet’s survival. Folate also reduces the risk of cancer, a chronic illness, one of the top causes of death in german shepherds.
Finally, it helps puppies develop normally while in the womb by lowering the risk of cleft palate.
Iron
Iron is abundant in eggs, and it is required to form hemoglobin and the proper functioning of many enzymes. Iron also aids in controlling body temperature, which is crucial for your german shepherd. As a result of the rise in red blood cells, you will be growing a vibrant, energetic german shepherd.
Selenium
Selenium is found in eggs, which is beneficial to your german shepherd. Selenium is important for cell protection because it prevents your dog’s cells from becoming oxidized. This important component contained in eggs, like folate, is responsible for preventing cancer, keeping your german shepherd’s health in check.
Selenium also guarantees that many areas of your dog’s body are in good working order. As a result, your dog’s pancreas, thyroid, and hip function will all be improved.
Fatty Acids
Every dog needs fatty acids, which are found in eggs. Saturated fats are responsible for your dog’s healthy, glowing skin, which keeps him young-looking and appealing. Fatty acids also are helpful for immunity, which means you won’t have to go to the doctor as often.
You should notice that your dog is healthier, and so in conclusion, this element promotes cell growth, resulting in a beautiful pet.
The benefits above may have almost convinced you to make eggs a major part of your german shepherd’s body. But is that completely safe? Could there be any risks attached to egg consumption? Read along to find out!
What are the risks attached to eating eggs for german shepherds?
Although cooked eggs are mostly beneficial for german shepherds, we can not say the same for raw eggs. Several things make raw eggs harmful for german shepherds, so analyze the risks explained below and then decide whether you want your german shepherd to eat eggs or not.
German shepherds could suffer from salmonella.
Salmonella is amongst the most serious illnesses that your german shepherd may contract after eating eggs. It’s very common in dogs who eat uncooked eggs. But don’t get too worked up. There’s a good possibility your dog will do well with raw food. Just make sure you don’t overfeed it with uncooked eggs.
Your german shepherd may suffer from biotin deficiency.
When it comes to eggs, them causing biotin deficiency is a serious worry. Eggs are wonderful for your dogs, but they slow down the absorption of biotin, essential for their health. Giving your dog only the correct number of raw eggs is the easiest approach to avoid this.
German shepherds could experience problems in their digestive system.
Overeating eggs can also create digestive issues in your dog, common in older german shepherd puppies. So, just like humans, don’t overfeed your dog with eggs.
After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of eating eggs for german shepherds, you may now either feel confident or stressed about feeding them to your dog. To be 100 percent sure whether eggs are safe for your german shepherd or not, make sure to contact your vet first because each case is different.
Is it safe for german shepherds to have raw eggs?
Giving your german shepherd raw eggs is usually not a problem. Raw eggs are an excellent source of protein because they retain all of the important fatty or amino acids that are unaffected by cooking. Raw eggs can also help a dog’s upset stomach.
You can probably offer a raw egg to your dog without issue from time to time, but you face the danger of salmonella contamination if you come along with a faulty egg. A regular raw egg diet can also cause biotin deficiencies. (Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that aids in digestion, metabolism, and cell and skin growth.)
Is it safe for german shepherds to consume eggshells?
Yes. If you have the opportunity, feed your pet the entire egg. However, to decrease the chance of infection, make sure you wash the eggshell first. Adult dogs can manage the shell fine, but if you think your german shepherd won’t consume a complete egg, you can break it.
The shells from the various eggs you give to your dogs can also be stored and dried. After that, crush them until they’re finely ground or powdered, and afterward sprinkle them on top of your dog’s food. Eggshells are known to contain a high amount of calcium, which is beneficial to the bones of your german shepherd.
If you let your dog eat the eggshells, it will benefit from the entire egg. As a result, in addition to the benefits derived from the yolk and the white, it also benefits from the shells. If you observe that your dog has difficulty eating raw bones, eggshells can help. The calcium content of these two diets is the same. When opposed to bone, shells are easier to crush, making them a better option.
The semipermeable layer between both the eggs and the shell’s interior walls is another reason you should give your dog eggshells. Hyaluronic acid & collagen are found in this thin membrane, which a german shepherd needs. The eggshell also includes important minerals, including magnesium, zinc, and selenium, which will help your dog’s metabolism.
How to safely feed eggs to your german shepherd?
If you’ve spent any time exploring the topic of dogs eating eggs, you’ve come across the idea that eggs interact with biotin, often known as Vitamin B8 or Vitamin H, and hence dogs shouldn’t eat them.
However, suppose you prepare the eggs beforehand and feed the whole egg (white and yolk). In that case, the danger of limiting vital biotin levels is so low that it’s practically non-existent – unless eggs are the only food you feed your German shepherd.
Whole, cooked eggs with the shell still on are the finest way of feeding eggs to your german shepherd. The calcium level of the shells is high, which is beneficial to your dog’s bones and teeth.
Can your german shepherd consume eggs every day, and how many eggs are safe for them?
If your German shepherd had daily access to eggs, you would have already understood the answers to those questions of whether german shepherds can consume eggs regularly.
A more pertinent concern is if a german shepherd can consume eggs daily. The best answer is determined by the age, age group, and several eggs fed to your dog.
However, there may be an unanticipated adverse effect: farts. The experts agree that when they eat eggs, their dogs fart more. Some owners are smarter than others at tolerating this.
There is no hard rule for how many eggs a german shepherd should consume. The amount will be determined by your dog’s temperament and ability to accept them.
According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, a german shepherd should be fed 1-4 eggs per week. On the other hand, german shepherd owners are not uncommon in cracking an egg on their dogs’ daily breakfast. A lack of biotin or excess weight can concern your pet if you give them too many eggs.
What types of eggs are safe for your german shepherd?
The majority of people are accustomed to eating chicken eggs, either as the main course or in other types of foods like bread & baked goods. There are numerous additional eggs available. Quail, goose, duck, pheasant, turkey, or ostrich eggs are all widely consumed eggs.
However, you should avoid giving your dogfish eggs, like caviar, because of their high salt content.
Final Thoughts
German shepherds can consume eggs both uncooked and cooked, as you now know, and they’re also quite beneficial for them!
Here’s some more information to keep in mind.
- Vitamin A, folate, riboflavin, vitamin B12, Iron, Selenium, and fatty acids are all found in eggs.
- Feeding raw eggs to your german shepherd increases the danger of salmonella and E. Coli infection. You also run the risk of developing a biotin deficit, as well as digestive issues.
- Give your german shepherd three to four eggs every week, and no more than seven at a time.
- Cooked, raw, a combination of the two, and also with the shell on, eggs can be fed to your dog.
- Remember to always check your veterinarian before giving your german shepherd any new meals.
Eggs are overall a great source of multivitamins, protein, and other essential components for your german shepherd. So do not worry about feeding them to your dogs! But always remember to contact the vet before doing anything.
