Raw Eggs Survey

There seems to be a generalized concern about feeding raw eggs to dogs and cats, as it is believed that it may lead to biotin deficiency, due to the avidin contained in egg whites, which binds to Biotin interfering with its absorption. While many people understand that when feeding whole raw eggs, the high contents of Biotin in the yolk will offset the avidin in the white, others claim that it is only safe to feed cooked egg whites, as cooking destroys the avidin.

From 3/20/01 to 3/29/01 I conducted a survey among dog and cat guardians to get some general feedback on this, and see if feeding raw eggs within a varied home made diet could be of concern. The results were as follows:

144 people took the survey, some with only one companion, some with multiple companions. Of the 144, only 3 responded they didn't feed eggs as they didn't feed a home made diet, so the sample is reduced to 141 answers from people feeding eggs.

As to the way the eggs were fed, 92% fed them raw, and 8% cooked; 79% fed them either whole (49%) or both yolks and whites without the shell (30%), while 21% fed only egg yolks. None (0%) fed only egg whites.

The size of the animals being fed ranged from less than 5 Kg (11.25 lb) in weight (11%) to over 50 Kg (112.5 lb) (8%), being the majority (48%) of animals between 20 Kg (45 lb) and 40 Kg (90 lb), and 30% between 5 Kg (11.25 lb) and 20 Kg of weight (the remaining 3% between 40 Kg and 50 Kg). The median weight range was 20-30 Kg (45-67.5 lb).
These animals had been eating eggs for as long as: 45% over 2 years, 26% 1-2 years, 12% 9-12 months, and the remaining 17% for less than 9 months.
As to the frequency with which the eggs were fed, 35% fed them twice a week, 29% once a week, 19% every other day, 12% every day, 4% twice a month, and 1% once a month. None (0%) fed them less frequently than that.
And, the amount of regular-sized eggs fed per serving was: 70% 1 egg, 20% 2 eggs, and the remaining 10%, 3 or more eggs.

All of these people included other sources of Biotin and/or multiple B vitamins in the diets of their companions, including liver (90%), vegetables (85%), kelp or other seaweed (72%), 'good bacteria' in the form of yogurt or probiotics, which are capable of sintetizing Biotin in the bowels (68%), a vitamin B complex supplement (39%), and brewer's or nutritional yeast (14%). These ingredients were fed with a frequency of: Every day 42%, every other day 28%, three times a week 18%, twice a week 11%, and once a week 1%. None (0%) fed these less frequently than that.

Finally, none (0%) of the animals being fed had ever been suspected of nor diagnosed with Biotin deficiency.

The results of this survey confirm my suspicion that feeding raw eggs should not lead to a problem of Biotin deficiency in dogs and cats as long as there's no excess in amount and/or frequency according to the animal's weight, both egg yolks and whites are fed, and they are fed along with a variety of nutrients in a raw fresh diet, as variety is the key to a well balanced diet.