Shun NagaiEggs are widely recognized as an ideal protein source. They offer an excellent amino acid balance, are highly digestible, and are a valuable ingredient for enhancing the nutritional value of dog food. In addition, because eggs are familiar to consumers and generally trusted as an ingredient, they can add unique value to pet food products.
But have you ever wondered why an egg can hatch simply by being kept warm by a hen? The reason is that an egg contains all the nutrients needed to support life. It provides high-quality protein, beneficial fats, and a wide range of bioactive compounds with antibacterial, immune-supporting, and anticancer properties.
Dried egg is a concentrated form of this nutritional richness. In the development of high-quality dog food, dried egg is an ideal raw material. Thanks to its excellent digestibility and abundance of functional components, dried egg can be used effectively to formulate dog food that supports overall health.
What Is Inside an Egg?
The structure of an egg is well known, but its essential components may be less familiar.
| Egg Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Egg white | Egg white accounts for approximately 60% of the egg’s total weight and consists mainly of water and protein. |
| Egg yolk | The yolk is enclosed in a membrane and makes up about 30% of the egg’s total weight. It contains most of the egg’s lipids and serves as a source of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, and E. |
| Eggshell | The thin membrane lining the inside of the shell is called the eggshell membrane and is composed mainly of protein. The shell itself accounts for about 10% of the egg’s total weight, and its main component is calcium. |
Dried Egg: A Concentrated Source of Nutrition
Dried egg is simply fresh egg that has been dehydrated. It retains the full nutritional value of fresh eggs in a concentrated form. Dried egg is produced using spray-drying technology. In this process, liquid egg is atomized through a high-pressure nozzle into a fine mist and sprayed into hot air at 140–180°C, where it is dried into powder form.
Through this process, the nutritional components found in fresh eggs are preserved. In addition, different dried egg ingredients can be produced depending on which part of the egg is dried. With protein content exceeding 80% and fat content sometimes reaching more than 50%, dried egg is a highly convenient ingredient for formulating and adjusting pet food recipes.
An Ideal Protein Source
One of the main reasons dried egg is considered a nutritional gem is the exceptional quality of its protein. Egg protein has an amino acid profile that meets the requirements for all essential amino acids needed by pets.
However, eggs contain only a small amount of taurine. Taurine is required in cat food under both FEDIAF and AAFCO nutritional standards.
Dried egg is especially rich in sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine and cysteine. These nutrients are essential for dogs and cats, yet they are often lacking in other commonly used protein sources.
Egg protein is highly digestible and performs better than many conventional ingredients used in pet food. The valuable amino acids in dried egg protein are easy for dogs and cats to digest and absorb, making it an ideal protein source.
An Excellent Source of Fat
In addition to providing high-quality protein, eggs contain all of their lipids in the yolk. More than 60% of egg lipids consist of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and DHA. Dried egg and egg yolk-derived ingredients therefore serve as excellent nutritional sources of essential fats for dogs and cats.
A Wide Range of Bioactive Compounds
In addition to their outstanding nutritional profile, dried eggs contain many bioactive compounds that support the health of dogs and cats.
They contain enzymes such as lysozyme and ovotransferrin, which exhibit strong antibacterial activity.
They also provide immune-supporting effects and contain antibodies that may help prevent illness, particularly in puppies and kittens.
Dried eggs are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that act as natural antioxidants and help maintain cellular function.
They also contain phospholipids, which play an important role in the structure and repair of cell membranes. In addition, phospholipids are believed to have anti-inflammatory effects and may benefit the nervous system of senior dogs.
Eggs are also rich in cholesterol, an important structural component of cell membranes that is involved in puppy growth and hormone production.
Benefits During Manufacturing
Easy to Use in Dry Food Formulations
Dried egg is an ideal ingredient for pet food formulations.
Its rich protein profile helps compensate for variability in the nutritional composition of other proteins, allowing it to function effectively as a supplemental protein source in pet food.
Because it contains high levels of essential amino acids, only a relatively small inclusion level is needed.
Its low ash content, generally below 6%, makes it possible to include dried egg in formulations without exceeding calcium or phosphorus limits in pet food.
It is also a highly versatile ingredient suitable for the development of foods for pets with sensitive digestion.
Easy for Manufacturing Facilities to Handle
Dried egg is supplied in forms such as powder, granules, and pellets, making it easy to incorporate into pet food alongside other dry ingredients without requiring special equipment. In addition, when stored properly, dried egg can have a shelf life of up to 24 months, making it well suited for storage in manufacturing facilities.
Commercial Advantages
Sustainable Ingredient Sourcing
Dried egg for pet food is produced through the effective use of by-products generated during human food manufacturing. By converting food waste into high-quality raw materials for pet food, it contributes to a circular and sustainable food system. This helps address protein shortages while avoiding direct competition with the human food supply.
Suitable for Marketing Claims
As pet owners become more knowledgeable about nutrition and more environmentally conscious, interest in ingredient quality and sourcing continues to grow. Among alternatives to traditional protein sources such as chicken meal, dried egg is one of the most recognizable and widely accepted ingredients among consumers.
Surveys conducted in North America and Europe have shown that more than 80% of dog and cat owners respond positively to the idea of feeding egg protein to their pets, compared with plant-based or insect-based proteins.
Source: Symrise Explorer Global Survey, July 2022 – 1,776 cat owners | April 2023 – 1,427 dog owners
Conclusion
Dried egg concentrates the nutritional value of fresh eggs and offers outstanding nutritional characteristics.
It provides high-quality protein and a rich amino acid profile that helps improve the nutritional balance of pet food.
It supplies important lipids such as essential fatty acids, cholesterol, and phospholipids.
It offers bioactive benefits including immune support, antibacterial activity, antioxidant effects, and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is sustainable, makes use of by-products from the human food industry, and is widely accepted by pet owners.