Can Pitbull Puppies Eat Eggs?

This article may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links (at no additional cost to you)

Raising your Pitbull puppy can be a gratifying experience, but it can be confusing to decide what to and not feed your furry friend.

You want to ensure that you’re giving him all the right nutrients to aid in growth and development, but at the same time, you want to avoid any deficiencies. And if you’re considering giving your puppy eggs, it’s important to know where they lie on that nutritional spectrum. 

Pitbull puppies can eat eggs once they get to six months. Eggs are beneficial to pitbull puppies as they contain essential nutrients to help them grow stronger. While other foods can give your pup the needed nutrients, eggs have some nutrients not available in others as well.

Read on to learn more about what makes eggs vital in a puppy’s diet, what quantity to feed, and how often you can feed eggs to a pitbull puppy. 

The Benefits of Feeding Eggs to Your Pitbull

Pitbull puppies can eat eggs. However, it’s critical to understand that puppies have a delicate digestive system. Nonetheless, your pup should be fine when fed with eggs in moderation. 

Young pitbull puppies need 22% of protein as they grow older. Eggs are high in protein and are ideal for your growing pet. The combination of phosphorus and calcium in eggs helps promote stronger joints. 

Eggs are packed with vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, among other nutrients, which make them a fantastic source of nutrition. The Vitamin B12, fat-soluble Vitamin A, and riboflavin help improve your puppy’s coat and skin.

These vitamins, when combined with folate and iron, lead to stronger teeth and bones. The presence of selenium and proteins also help in building the muscles of your furry friend. Eggs also promote brain health as they contain vitamins necessary for the puppy’s nervous system to function. 

A healthy puppy is something we all want, and eggs contain selenium, Vitamin A, and B12, which play a crucial role in the immune system. Choline also lowers the risk of heart disease as it breaks down the amino acid homocysteine. 

Zeaxanthin and lutein in eggs promote eye health and good vision. Eggs are packed with proteins, which keeps the pup fuller for longer. Pyridoxine aids in different metabolic processes, while riboflavin helps turn fat into energy and promotes skin health.

Eggs also provide pitbull puppies with lots of omega fatty acids, some nutrients that help promote a shiny coat. Furthermore, these fatty acids repair tissue and promote cell production. That means your pup’s hair, skin, and tissue cells reproduce effectively. 

Avidin is another type of B-vitamin present in eggs that helps to improve your pup’s metabolism. Eggs are a multi-purpose food that is ideal for your furry friends. 

Note that although eggs are nutritious and healthy for your pup, overfeeding your pet on them can result in obesity and other health complications. 

How Many Eggs Can a Puppy Eat?

Eggs should only be 10% of your puppy’s daily diet. An egg contains close to 78 calories, which makes it enough for a pitbull puppy’s caloric needs. Combining an egg with your puppy’s daily meal will add calories and ensure that he gets a balanced diet.  You may need to also talk to a veterinarian to determine the number of calories your furry friend should be consuming. You’ll also get an idea of whether your dog needs to gain weight, maintain it, or lose weight. 

Cooking Eggs for Your Pitbull Puppy

Dogs can feed on cooked eggs. When choosing eggs, it’s recommended to buy brown eggs. Look for organic and farm fresh eggs from cage-free chicken. These are suitable for your pup health-wise. 

Cooking the eggs reduces the risk of salmonella infection. Note that cooking eggs may cook out the fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids. You can choose to fry, scramble, poach, or boil eggs. Hard-boiled eggs at 160°F (71°C) are an excellent option as they are easy and quick to cook. They are also less messy.

If you don’t plan on serving the boiled eggs immediately, it’s best to refrigerate them until you’re ready to serve them. Scrambled eggs are another option to consider, and they make a fantastic supplement to an afternoon snack or the main meal. 

Any method of cooking eggs works. However, it’s best to avoid additives, spices, and oils as these can be harmful to the puppy. These additives can disrupt your Pitbull’s digestive system. You can also grind up the eggshells and feed them to your puppy as they are an excellent source of calcium. 

If you plan to supplement your dog’s diet with eggs, start with one to two small eggs per week for a medium pup. 

At What Age Is It Fine to Start Feeding Your Pitbull Puppy Eggs?

Your pitbull pup can start eating eggs in the eighth month. Most people use scrambled eggs and boiled eggs as a transitional food, before switching to solid, harder foods. After the eighth month, your pup can enjoy this delicious treat. Starting to feed eggs to your pup at a young age could help prevent obesity. 

Concerns About Feeding Raw Eggs to Puppies

You should avoid feeding raw eggs to your pitbull puppies. That’s because of concerns like:

Biotin Deficiency

Feeding raw eggs to your puppy for a prolonged period could lead to biotin deficiency. That’s because they have an enzyme that ties up biotin, and reduces the absorption of biotin into the body. Biotin plays a critical role in supporting digestion, cell growth, healthy skin, and metabolism. 

However, you should note that biotin deficiencies are rare as it would take your puppy to eat a large number of eggs to get this deficiency. 

Risk of Salmonella

Puppies are at risk of contracting salmonella when eating raw eggs. Salmonella may present itself in your puppy with symptoms like fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and a decreased level in activity. 

Although these side effects are rare, veterinarians recommend cooking eggs before feeding them to your puppy. You can choose to boil or lightly fry the eggs before giving them to the pup. 

What Should You Watch Out for When Feeding Eggs to a Pitbull Puppy?

When feeding eggs to your puppy, look out for any signs of stomach discomfort to ensure that your pet can handle snacking on eggs without any problems. Too many eggs could also cause your pet to gain weight. 

Some of the signs that could indicate it’s best to eliminate eggs from a pup’s diet include smelly gas, constipation, uncomfortable tummy gas, vomiting, diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to avoid feeding your pet eggs. 

These signs indicate an allergic reaction. In some cases, you may notice a change in their skin. That includes itching around the paws, ears, and other areas. Seek help from your veterinarian if you spot any of these signs. 

My dog’s favorite food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

 

Summary

Eggs are an excellent source of quality protein in any pitbull puppy’s diet. They contain amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that promote muscle growth, strong bones, healthy skin, and good vision. 

While puppies can feed on eggs, they need to be cooked as raw eggs can expose them to biotin deficiency and salmonella infection. Some puppies with sensitive stomachs may also experience stomach discomfort and digestive problems. 

Remember that eggs should never be the only source of nutrition for your furry friend. However, you can use them to supplement a meat-based diet. At the start, feed your pitbull puppy with 1/4 to 1/2 an egg at a time, and gradually move to one egg. Always cook eggs before feeding them to your pup to ensure that he gets a balanced diet.