Should I feed raw eggs to my Labrador?

Many people ask me about feeding eggs to their dog. First of all…I have done this and will continue to this, but only after studying under world-renown holistic veterinarian, Dr. Ian Billinghurst who is one vet who did 40 years of research on raw diet and included a large part of whether to feed eggs to our canine family members . Especially after learning that Americans were only expecting their dogs to live to 15-16, yet his dog, the dogs in Australia, and in Europe EXPECT their dogs to live into their 20’s !!! So obviously, I sat up and took notice and read everything I could about a species-appropriate diet for canines. I’ve learned that it brings lots of perks like no shedding, and no allergies or ear infections!

Store bought eggs are ok, but eggs from true free-range chickens are usually more nutritious than commercially raised eggs, with better fat balances and more vitamin E. You can find these if your neighbor happens have chickens and has more than they can use–or you can buy them at a all-natural food store sometimes, like Sprouts, Wegmans, or Trader Joes.

Some prefer the egg whites, some the yolks. If you re looking for less fat, use just the whites. For more calories, add the yolk. Some even recommend feeding it with the shell on, but I don’t prefer that. And there seems to be no consensus of opinion on the best way to feed eggs to your dogs, anyway.

Some researchers are concerned about a substance called AVIDIN contained in egg whites. It is thought that it interferes with absorption of the biotin in the egg yolk. Cooking the egg whites will prevent this problem, but changes the structure of the proteins in the egg whites. Some other researchers believe that it is not necessary because the yolks have more biotin to overcome the biotin loss, so I recommend, again, that you feed them raw. And remember, when you scramble the eggs, the cholesterol may oxidize, and oxidized cholesterol, like oxidized fates, is not healthy for your dog. Coooking the yolks, in addition, significantly reduces the lutein content. Lutein has been reported to be a very important nutrient for the eyes.

One of the reasons people leave the shells on is that the membranes in the shell contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid—nutrients reported to help relieve joint and soft tissue pain. Fresh eggs also provide important brain, eye and other body nutrients in natural, unprocessed form such as riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc, and Vitamin K. Egg yolks contain essential fats, including linoleic acid, phospholipids, choline, lutein, vitamin D and E. Furthermore, they contain cancer-fighting gamma tocopherola and toctrienols. While egg shells provide a source of calcium (if washed and fully ground), they are not necessary.

If you’d like more information about feeding a raw/paleo/species appropriate food to your dog, click here:  https://emlabradors.com/exploring-raw-diet-for-your-dog/