Knowing which kinds of foods to feed our pets and how to do it safely is very important. I imagine that most of us don’t just put anything labeled ‘food’ in our mouths without knowing it’s safe – so why should pets?
So, can poodles eat eggs? Yes. Poodles can eat eggs. Eggs are a safe and complete source of nutrition for your poodle. Some of the concerns that people have about eggs include the risk of salmonella and the risk of biotin deficiency. Feeding your poodle eggs the proper way will protect against these risks.
This article will address your concerns about feeding eggs to your poodle and also show you how to do it and, definitely, how not to do it.
But first, the awesome benefits of eggs for your poodle.
Eggs are Good for Poodles because…
They provide an extensive range of nutrients. These nutrients include:
- Iron – Helps your poodle in the synthesis of blood and prevent anemic symptoms.
- Fatty Acids – Helps with brain development, especially for young poodles.
- Riboflavin – boosts the energy of your poodle.
- Folate – Fortifies your poodle’s cell membranes.
- Vitamin A – Ensures optimum health. Benefits to skin, coat, muscles, and nerves.
- Vitamin B1 – Ensures proper functioning of the brain and the other high energy organs.
- Selenium – Strengthens the immunity of your poodle.
In short, eggs are an essential source of nutrition for your poodle. They are, in fact, awesome treats for your poodle, once in a while, that will help to keep him fit, active, and healthy.
However, there are some risks to keep in mind and address first: as long as you’re feeding eggs the proper way, these risks are manageable.
Eggs can be bad for your poodle in the following ways:
Egg whites binding biotin
Raw egg whites have a nutrient called avidin that has been shown to bind the B vitamin called biotin. The result is that your poodle cannot use the biotin – which he needs for digestion, growth, and muscle formation.
Solution: Even though egg yolks contain substantial amounts of biotin that can make up for the egg whites’ problem, it is best to cook the eggs rather than feed them raw. Better safe than sorry.
Salmonella Infection
Again, uncooked or raw eggs fed directly to poodles can cause a salmonella infection, especially if the immunity of your poodle is not yet properly built up.
Salmonella infection is essentially a bacterial infection that can cause among other things, digestive problems like diarrhea, fever, and exhaustion for your poodle.
Solution: Cooked is best for your poodle- hardboiled, scrambled, or sunny-side up. Cooking kills the salmonella bacteria in raw eggs. Also, feeding cooked eggs instead of raw eggs will save you the pain of trying to brush out a dried raw egg from your poodle’s furry face.
Egg Allergies
Some poodles may have egg allergies. You may notice these through symptoms like dry, itchy skin, redness, and sores. This simply means that your poodle’s immunity system is overreacting to the protein in the egg.
Solution: If you’re feeding him chicken eggs, consider switching to duck eggs, or even better, quail eggs. Quail eggs have lesser protein content out of all three kinds of eggs and could be more appropriate to your poodle. Also, check-in with your veterinarian on the right amount for your poodle.
Overfeeding eggs
This one needs little explanation. All food, human or animal, is best consumed with moderation.
So,
How many eggs are too many eggs for poodles?
For starters, more than a full egg is too much for a poodle. Several eggs a week is okay. Usually, poodles are different and you will need to identify the limits for your poodle.
Start with one egg a day and then watch out for any evidence of digestive upset. If you see it, cut back on the eggs at that point. A quail egg is perfectly sized for young poodles and it will not cause harm to poodles with allergies.
How to Prepare Eggs for your Poodle
Hardboiled egg
Slice and dice the egg into small pieces and feed them to your poodle after they have properly cooled. Alternatively, you can serve the egg whole – just crack the shell all over by tapping gently against a countertop.
This method is good since your poodle eats the egg with the shell; the eggshell is a source of calcium which will help with strong teeth and bones formation. Therefore, eggshells are very beneficial for poodles that have a hard time chewing on bones.
You can dry eggshells to serve later with eggs or other treats. After they have properly dried, grind them into powder in a clean coffee grinder.
Keep the ground shells in bulk. This will save you from the hassle of having to grind the eggshells every day especially since they have to dry first. Then, you can sprinkle a teaspoon of the eggshell powder (which is approximately one eggshell in powder form) on your poodle’s meal for that calcium boost.
Scrambled egg
After preparing your scrambled egg, you can serve it entirely as a fun snack – topped on your poodle’s normal meal or as a fun snack. Alternatively, you can serve bits of the scrambled egg as training treats to your poodle’s delight!
Salt or no salt?
When preparing a scrambled egg, it is best to avoid adding seasoning with salt. We know that a little seasoning can elevate a meal – and it’s certainly the same for dogs of all kinds. For example, salt can make homemade dog meals delicious for them.
Therefore, you may be tempted to add just a little salt to the scrambled egg. But don’t. It is better to avoid giving your poodle a taste for salted scrambled egg and then deny him his salted treat when his body doesn’t agree with the salt.
Salty treats can make your poodle considerably thirsty. Too much salt can cause a host of health problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, seizures, and fevers.
So, a salty treat could not be worth all the trouble. Cook the seasoning without salt and serve it unseasoned – it’s still delicious.
FINAL WORD
Therefore, to conclude, eggs are good for your poodle. They are rich in nutrients and are good training treats. Serve them well – cooked and with moderation – to avoid the associated risks of biotin deficiency and salmonella infection.
94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day. In 2007, I realized that I was made for saving Animals. My father is a Vet, and I think every pet deserves one. I started this blog, “InPetCare”, in 2019 with my father to enlighten a wider audience.