Are you wondering “can german shepherds eat eggs?” In this article, you’re going to find out whether you should feed your german shepherd eggs, how to prepare them, and why they can be good and bad!
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How Can German Shepherds Eat Eggs?
The answer is yes, german shepherds can eat raw and cooked eggs. However, of course, if you plan on feeding your german shepherd raw eggs there is going to be more risk. For example, they’re more likely to get salmonella.
Are Eggs Good For German Shepherds?
Eggs are the best types of food for most animals including german shepherds. When you think about it, they have all the building blocks necessary to help a baby grow. So of, course, they’re also going to be good for your german shepherd.
If you feed your german shepherd eggs, you’re going to provide them with plenty of the following.
Vitamin A
- Vitamin A is going to keep your german shepherd’s coat full of life and shiny.
- It’s also great for helping your german shepherd grow, particularly puppies.
- Lastly, vitamin A is good for your german shepherd’s eyesight, especially helping them see at night.
Riboflavin
- Riboflavin helps your german shepherd metabolize carbs, fats, proteins, and amino acids and then turn them into energy.
- When combined with other minerals in your german shepherd’s body it’s also going to create antibodies to fight illnesses.
- It also helps create red blood cells that move oxygen around the body better.
- The lining of your dog’s intestines is also going to be improved by riboflavin.
- Lastly, riboflavin is going to help iron be absorbed by your dog’s body.
Folate
- Folate is going to help your german shepherd produce new cells, as well as maintain old cells.
- It’s also going to reduce the chance of cancer in your german shepherd.
- Folate is also going to help your pup create new red blood cells.
- Lastly, it can help the development of puppies in the womb. And it’s even been found that the use of folate decreased the chance of cleft palates in puppies.
Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B12 is going to help intestinal health as well as brain function.
- It’s also going to reduce the chance of a vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause lethargy, confusion, a lack of appetite and even depression.
- Vitamin B12 also increases the number of red blood cells your german shepherd is going to produce, improving energy.
Iron
- The main benefit of iron is the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Which are vital for helping transport oxygen around the body.
- As well as this, it’s also going to help a number of enzyme functions in your dog’s body.
- It also helps your german shepherd regulate their temperature.
- And due to the increase of red blood cells, it’s also going to give your german shepherd a lot more energy.
Selenium
- Selenium helps protect your german shepherd’s cells from damage caused by oxidization. This means they’re going to have a nicer coat, as well as healthier joints and skin.
- It also reduces the chance of cancer in dogs.
- Lastly, it’s going to improve pancreatic function, thyroid function, and reduce the chance of hip dysplasia.
(According to Wagwalking.)
Fatty Acids
- Fatty acids are going to help keep your german shepherds skin healthy as well as improving the luster of your german shepherd’s coat.
- They’re also going to improve your german shepherd’s immune system, reducing the chance they’ll get sick.
- Lastly, they’re going to promote cell growth, which is beneficial for every part of your pup!
(According to Hillspet.)
Does Feeding Your Dog Eggs Have Any Risks?
While cooked eggs are generally safe, there are some risks associated with giving your german shepherd raw eggs.
Salmonella & E. Coli
Just like humans, dogs are also at risk of getting salmonella and E. Coli eating raw eggs. However, they’re more equipped to handle raw food than we are, so the chance is decreased.
Biotin Deficiency
Over time, feeding your german shepherd eggs can cause a biotin deficiency. Biotin is needed to help improve your dog’s general health, however, eggs have an enzyme that doesn’t allow absorption of biotin.
They Can Cause Trouble With Digestion
As well as the two problems listed above, in some cases, eggs can also cause your german shepherd to have trouble digesting food. This is especially common in german shepherds that are old, as well as puppies.
It’s important to note, that in all cases, cooking eggs is going to remove these risks. However, when you cook an egg, you’re going to remove some of its beneficial properties.
Too Many Eggs Can Be Bad
Lastly, you shouldn’t feed your german shepherd too many eggs. Too many eggs can result in weight gain as well as digestive issues.
How Many Eggs Can You Give Your German Shepherd?
It really depends on the individual. Of course, some dogs are going to be able to eat more than others. If you’re not sure how many to give them, normally 3-4 a week is adequate. Just make sure you don’t give them more than 7 in a week.
If you do plan on feeding your german shepherd eggs, don’t give them loads at once, but build the amount you give them up slowly.
This way if they can’t handle eggs you’ll find out, but it won’t be in a way that causes a lot of discomfort to your pup!
And if you’re really not sure, it’s always best to consult a vet to make sure giving them eggs is okay.
How Should You Prepare Eggs?
There are a few different ways you can give your german shepherd eggs. And at the end of the day, it all comes down to what you’re most comfortable with.
Completely Raw
In small doses, completely raw eggs are going to be the most beneficial for your pup. Although they’re also going to increase the risk of them getting sick. You can crack it over their food, give it to them in a bowl, and even give it to them with the shell on!
Cooked
A cooked egg isn’t going to have as much nutritional value as a raw egg. But it’s going to be a lot less likely to make them sick.
It’s up to you whether you choose raw or cooked, but cooked give you a lot more options. You can give them a boiled egg (just don’t add salt to the water), fried (just don’t use oil or butter), and scrambled!
Just remember, that the egg itself is fine, but you shouldn’t add other ingredients to it.
A Bit Of Both
If you’re not sure what to choose, a bit of both often works. Give them a raw yolk and a cooked egg white. This way its less likely they’ll get sick, but they’ll still get a lot of the nutrients from the egg.
Keep The Shell On
When you’re giving your dog and egg, you can even keep the shell on. They’ll still be able to eat it, and it has the added benefit of being nearly a complete food source!
If you don’t want to give your german shepherd the shells directly. You can ground them up and add them to their food too.
Just make sure that you’re washing the eggs thoroughly before feeding them to your dog. This way you’ll remove any chemicals that could be on them.
(According to Dogs Naturally Magazine.)
BONUS: How To Turn Eggs Into A Treat
Eggs can be a great treat for your german shepherd. Especially when you’re trying to train them. Here’s how you can turn eggs into something that your german shepherd will love!
- Crack two eggs and beat them. If you’re trying to get your dog to lose weight, only use the egg whites. If you want it to be tastier try adding food your dog loves such as meat broth.
- Once they’ve been whisked begin microwaving them for two minutes and letting them stand for one.
- Repeat this, until they’re at a good consistency and they aren’t runny anymore.
- Cut them up or pull them apart and then feed them to your pup when they’re good!
- To store, keep them in the refrigerator, or if you want to keep them for longer put them in the freezer and defrost when necessary.
Interested In Training Your German Shepherd The Right Way?
If you haven’t trained your German Shepherd properly, then this is the perfect time to start. Whatever bad behavior your shepherd has, whether it’s barking at night or other bad behaviors, using the right training program is the key to having an obedient and happy pup.
The training program I love and highly recommend is Brain Training For Dogs.
With Brain Training For Dogs you’ll save yourself a ton of time and effort. Instead of banging your head against the wall trying to figure out why your dog won’t listen, you’ll follow a path that has been tried, tested, and most importantly, that’s given proven results. Not to mention the fact, you’ll be able to fit the course around your schedule, not fit your schedule around a trainer or obedience class.
So instead of worrying about whether they’re going to be well-behaved or not, you’ll only have to worry about how much fun you’ll have with them!
And in most cases it’s still going to be:
- Cheaper than hiring a professional.
- Cheaper than replacing everything they might break.
- And definitely cheaper than a lawsuit against you, if they decide to bite someone.
Just imagine how great it will feel to finally be able to trust your German Shepherd completely and never worry whether they’ll be naughty or not. Instead, you’ll have the peace of mind that you have a well-behaved pup, and the boundaries you set for them, will always be there, EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT.
And the best part is it also has a 60-day money-back guarantee! So there’s no reason not to give Brain Training For Dogs a try!
So if you’re tired of your dog’s bad behavior, or how they react around other people and pooches, then give it a try! You’ll be amazed by the results!
(You can also check out a full review here, to learn exactly what the course has to offer!)
Recap
As you now know, not only can german shepherds eat eggs, both raw and cooked, they’re also really good for them!
Here’s some more important information to remember.
- Eggs are great because they contain Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Folate, Vitamin B12, Iron, Selenium and fatty acids.
- If you feed your german shepherd raw eggs you increase the risk of salmonella and e. Coli. You also increase the chance of a biotin deficiency and there could be problems with digestion.
- Try to give your german shepherd 3-4 eggs a week, and no more than 7 at the most.
- Eggs can be given to your dog cooked, raw, a bit of both and with the shell on.
- And remember, before giving your dog any new foods you should always consult a vet.
If you liked this article make sure to leave a comment in the description below. Otherwise, have a great day!
If you want to know other great treats you can give your dog then consider giving them cheese, carrots, peanut butter, watermelon, and oranges.
