Indeed, dogs can eat egg yolk. According to the National Library of Medicine 2019, the vast majority of the nutrients within an egg are in the yolk as opposed to the whites. In particular, eggs are a healthy source of protein.
Feed your dog egg yolks and you’ll reduce the risk of gastrointestinal distress, enhance his or her immune system, decrease blood pressure and also decrease the chances of vision issues. However, feeding your dog a steady diet of eggs including their yolks, has the potential to have some negative ramifications as detailed below.
Here’s the inside scoop on can dogs eat egg yolk, egg yolk nutrients, whether dogs actually like egg yolks and how frequently your furry friend should eat egg yolks.
Egg Yolk Nutrients
Egg yolk is loaded in sources of energy that dogs need to feel good, stay healthy, develop a lovely fur coat and live life to the fullest. Eggs also contain essential calories that boost energy for long walks, jogs and outdoor adventures. The nutrients in egg yolk are especially helpful in the context of maintaining a shiny fur coat.
Mix a couple egg yolks into your dog’s regular food each week and you’ll find his or her fur coat gradually becomes that much more shiny. The vitamins in egg yolks also help prevent dog hair loss.
In terms of specific nutritional components, egg yolks contain:
- Vitamin B7
- Vitamin H
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-6
- Vitamin B-9
- Vitamin B-12
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Biotin
- 22 mg calcium
- 19 mg potassium
- 1 mg magnesium
- 8 mg sodium
- 66 mg phosphorous
- 0.39 mg zinc
- Selenium
- Folate
- Iron
- Riboflavin
- 55 calories (Whole eggs including the whites have 70-80 calories)
- 2.7 g protein
- 4.5 g fat
However, egg yolks are different from egg whites in that the yolks do not have the enzyme avidin. Avidin prevents the dog’s absorption of biotin, the vitamin required to metabolize fats. Insufficient biotin has the potential to cause problems with the dog’s fur coat and skin. Of all the nutrients and vitamins listed above, biotin is the most important as it keeps the dog’s coat shiny and also adds moisture to his or her skin.
Do Dogs Like Egg Yolks?
Dogs love egg yolks as well as egg whites. In particular, dogs enjoy eating scrambled egg yolks. Regardless of whether you feed your dog egg yolks directly out of the pan or raw egg yolks mixed into his or her dry food, the tasty addition will be well received.
How Many Egg Yolks can a Dog Eat?
Dogs should not eat more than four to five egg yolks per day. Though dogs are more than willing to chow down on a seemingly endless number of egg yolks, serving them upwards of half a dozen egg yolks or more has the potential to cause a stomach disruption and subsequent flatulence.
How Often can Dogs Eat Egg Yolks?
Dogs can eat egg yolks with each meal.
What Does a Dog Need to be Happy?
Dogs primarily need food and shelter to be happy. Provide your dog with two to three meals per day along with a couple snacks mixed in throughout the afternoon and evening, provide a sturdy roof over his or her head and you’ll enjoy the company of a happy loyal friend.
Aside from food and shelter, dogs also need fresh, clean water changed on a daily basis, a dry place to sleep, regular walks, a couple toys and the company of you, the master. Pay attention to your dog, look into his or her eyes, play catch with a frisbee and visit dog parks for diverse experiences that prove mutually beneficial to the two of you.
What are Some Alternatives to Egg Yolks?
Some dog owners provide their furry friends with vitamin and nutrient-packed alternatives to egg yolks including carrots. The vitamins in carrots benefit dog vision similar to the way that the vitamins in egg yolks help dogs maintain clear vision across posterity. Both carrots and egg yolks contain zeaxanthin and lutein that help maintain clear vision throughout the aging process.
Can Dogs Eat Egg Yolk FAQs
Are some dogs allergic to egg yolks?
Indeed, a small percentage of dogs have slight allergic reactions to egg yolks. However, most dogs can tolerate egg yolks without a problem. Skin issues and digestive problems in the aftermath of egg yolk consumption are clear signs that the dog is allergic to egg yolks.
Should egg yolks be cooked before the dog eats them?
Yes. Ideally, the egg yolks and whites will be cooked prior to the point that they are provided to the dog. The logic in cooking the egg is that it makes it more digestible for the animal. Furthermore, cooking the egg does not diminish its nutritional value. However, if you do not have the time to cook egg yolks for your dog, you can provide him or her with raw egg yolks though there is the potential for salmonella poisoning. Formally referred to as salmonella enterditis, this bacteria has the potential to lead to nasty food poisoning that renders your dog sick and downtrodden for days.
What is the best way to serve egg yolks to dogs?
Most dog owners agree soft scrambling the egg yolk, sometimes with egg whites, is appealing to our furry friends.
Will egg yolks cause flatulence in my dog?
There is the potential for egg yolks to result in flatulence. However, dog stomachs are more capable of processing a wide variety of foods, regardless of their texture and other qualities, than humans. If you notice your dog has excessive flatulence after eating egg yolks, decrease the number of yolks served.
Are there any situations in which it is unadvisable to serve egg yolks to dogs?
Pregnant, nursing, sick or old dogs sometimes struggle to process egg yolks. Furthermore, dogs in these categories are especially vulnerable in the event of salmonella poisoning from raw egg yolks. If your dog falls in these categories, cook the egg yolks prior to serving.
Can dogs eat egg yolk from different animals?
Yes. Contrary to popular opinion, egg yolks are not all the same. Though most dog owners serve their pets regular egg yolks, other types of egg yolks from animals such as ostriches, quail, geese, ducks and turkeys contain more nutrients, cholesterol and fat. Dog owners who live near farms or have access to eggs from the animals listed above are encouraged to add them to their dog’s diet.
