Are Raw Egg Whites Good for Cats & Dogs?

The main reason you shouldn’t give raw egg whites to your pets is the presence of an enzyme called avidin. Rather than helping your dog or cat’s coat, according to Dr. Elisa Katz, a veterinarian who writes an online pet info page, avidin interferes with biotin absorption as well as blocks your pet’s ability to use other important B vitamins. This means that instead of giving him a shiny, soft coat, avidin may actually cause him to have a rough coat and dry, flaky skin.

Another problem with raw egg whites, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is the potential for bacterial contamination. Eggs are sometimes contaminated with E. coli or Salmonella, either of which can make your pet seriously ill. Cooking the eggs kills the bacteria and prevents the possibility of harmful bacteria getting into your buddy’s tummy. The bacteria can be in both the white and the yolk, so the ASPCA recommends that you cook the whole egg before sharing it with your cat or dog.

Before you decide that feeding Spot and Fluffy eggs isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, keep in mind that eggs do have a positive side. An article in “Modern Dog” magazine lists riboflavin, selenium and highly digestible protein as a few of the nutrients that eggs provide. Eggs can give a protein boost to pets that have tummy troubles and can provide a great incentive as a training treat. Just cook them before you give them to your pals and there won’t be any problems.

One of the easiest ways to cook eggs for your four-legged family members is to hard-boil them. This doesn’t add any fat to their diets, and hard-boiled eggs are easy to handle and store. Give a whole egg to bigger dogs and let them eat it shell and all, though cracking it before you hand it over is a good idea. The shell is a natural source of calcium and many dogs seem to enjoy it. Peel the eggs for your kitty and for smaller dogs, then chop up the eggs to make them easier to eat.