Although quails aren’t a mainstream delicacy, humans have been eating them for centuries. In fact, they are a common part of French, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, and even Mexican cuisine. And while some who eat them buy them at markets, others prefer to hunt them. Ultimately, no matter which way you go, you will still get all the nutrients these little birds provide.
If you choose to breed these birds on your compound, though, you need to keep in mind that there’s always a possibility that one of your pets may eat them. This is particularly an issue if you have a dog or any other predatory pet. After all, dogs have been known to eat things like napkins and erasers that aren’t even food. So as far as your dog is concerned, eating quails isn’t far-fetched – it’s primal.
So can dogs eat quails, or is it a dangerous endeavor? Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about today. We are going to cover all that you need to know about dogs eating quails and their eggs, ranging from their benefits and dangers. After reading this post, you won’t have any questions about what your dog can and can’t do with quails.
What Are the Benefits of Quail for Dogs?
Quail meat is a great low-calorie protein source for dogs. In fact, quail meat has a higher protein content and a lower fat/calorie content than both chicken and duck meat. Also, this meat can provide your dog with essential vitamins and minerals. Ultimately, introducing quail meat to your dog’s diet is a great way to bring in some novelty while boosting their health and wellbeing.
If your dog is allergic or sensitive to traditional protein sources like chicken and beef, quail meat is a good option to try out. This meat can be consumed regularly, even when raw. More importantly, it’s a healthy source of fat that helps your dog stay active all day long. Beyond that, it contains several types of vitamin B, including vitamin B2 (riboflavin).
Together, they help your dog produce healthy blood cells and keep its eyes, hair, and skin healthy. Quail meat is also rich in iron and phosphorus – minerals that contribute to strong muscle growth in dogs. With all that quail has to offer, it’s not surprising that many dog owners are now turning to quail-based treats to supplement their pet’s diet. A popular option is the Wild Bone Company Quail Jerky Natural Dog Treat – an allergen-free treat whose main ingredient is quail.
Can Dogs Eat Quail Bones?
Since quails are small birds, most dogs, especially big ones, turn out okay when they eat their bones. However, sometimes, sharp quail bones can hurt your dog, causing cuts or abdominal pain. So if your dog eats quail bones, it is advisable to monitor them before making any drastic decision. There’s one thing you should keep in mind, though – cooked bones are more likely to break into shards and injure your dog than uncooked ones.
For most dogs, quail bones will pass through the digestive system unaided. To help things move along faster, you can feed your dog some mashed potatoes or a few slices of bread. These will create a cushioning layer around the bones as they pass through your dog’s digestive tract, reducing the chances of injury.
Once you feed these to your dog, though, all you can do is wait and monitor your dog. If you notice symptoms like lethargy, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and vomiting, you’ll have to call the vet. These symptoms could indicate the bones have caused internal damage and may need immediate medical intervention. Whatever you do, though, don’t try to get your dog to vomit – this will make things worse.
Can Dogs Eat Quail Feet?
Yes, dogs can eat quail feet. They are crunchy, chewy, and great for cleaning dogs’ teeth – in this regard, they are like duck or chicken feet. They also can’t hurt your dog in any way – even the nails are digestible. So if your dog likes quail and struggles with bad breath, these are a great option.
Because of this, dog food companies like Mosaic sell dehydrated quail feet besides their usual offering of dehydrated chicken and duck feet. These treats are abundant in protein, calcium, and other minerals/vitamins that boost your dog’s joint health. Beyond that, they are crunchy and free of gluten, wheat, corn, and soy. Some of these feet even have the nails already removed.
What’s more? They can be eaten by cats and will save you money if you have both dogs and cats. After all, a single bag of dehydrated quail feet can have up to 100 of them. Ultimately, they provide dog owners with a way to train their dogs without compromising their health.
Can Dogs Eat a Whole Quail?
Yes, dogs can eat a whole quail. Some can even eat those that still have feathers – this is particularly common for dogs who are used to hunting. Others prefer quails that have already been skinned. If your dog is currently on a raw meat diet, they are more likely to be excited about eating a whole quail.
Since dogs are carnivorous animals that can survive in the wild, eating a whole quail is not something that’s out of their realm of possibility. While they can eat cooked quail meat, they’re just as fine eating it raw. Their teeth have adapted to easily eating quail and other birds with ease. Some dogs even eat quail feathers without missing a beat.
There’s nothing to worry about though – quail feathers usually pass seamlessly through a dog’s digestive system. Ultimately, you shouldn’t be asking yourself whether your dog can eat a whole quail – you should be asking whether they would want to. It’s not a matter of ability – it’s a matter of preference.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Quail?
Since quail is low in calories and full of nutrients, your dog can eat it as much as possible. The only hindrance to this is the fact that quail isn’t as readily available as chicken and duck meat – it is particularly hard to find in supermarkets. It can mostly be bought from local farmers and markets. But if you can get your hands on it regularly and your dog loves it, offer it as much as you like.
This is particularly a good move if your dog is allergic to or doesn’t like other types of meat. Quail meat is also a good option for those whose dogs are on a raw-meat diet. It can be bought and fed whole or in pieces, depending on you and your dog’s preferences.
Just remember to consult your vet before switching your dog to a raw-meat diet or introducing a new type of pet food to them. Also, always opt for quail, which are hormone and antibiotic-free. The more natural the prey you’re feeding your dog, the better.
Can Dogs Eat Quail Eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat quail eggs. It doesn’t matter what type of dog you have or what size they are; they could benefit from including quail eggs in their diet. Even dogs who are on a raw meat diet can safely and easily add quail eggs to their diet.
Even though they are smaller than other types of eggs, quail eggs are just as nutritious. Whether you feed them to your dog shelled or unshelled, they will improve its health. In fact, quail eggs have been known to help puppies grow up healthy and strong.
Also, incorporating them into your dog’s diet is easy, especially if they’ve already been eating chicken or turkey eggs. You can offer both types of eggs at the same time or alternate which type of egg you offer with every meal. Ultimately, it’s up to you to monitor how your dog responds to this change.
What Are the Benefits of Eating Quail Eggs for Dogs?
Since quail eggs are rich in fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals, they have a lot of health benefits for dogs. These benefits are both internal and external. They include a boosted immunity, healthy coat, and even improved nervous system function. Ultimately, adding quail eggs to your dog’s diet is a holistic way to improve their health and wellbeing.
The protein present in quail eggs can help your dog with tissue repair, muscle development, and maintaining healthy skin/coat. On the other hand, the amount of fat that these eggs contain keeps your dog energetic throughout the day. However, this is not all that quail eggs have to offer dogs. They contain a host of vitamins like vitamin A, E, B2, B6, and B12.
These work together to ensure your dog has a healthy metabolism, great intestinal health, and optimized brain functioning, among other health benefits. The fact that quail eggs contain minerals like zinc, selenium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium also comes in handy. It ensures your dog has enough oxygen in its blood and can perform everyday functions like walking and running. Ultimately, all the nutrients present in quail eggs work together to keep your dog healthy and happy at all times.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Quail Eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat raw quail eggs, particularly considering that wild dogs have been eating these eggs for centuries. In fact, these eggs are nutritious and can be served both shelled and unshelled. So you can easily add them to any meal your dog is having to make them more nutritious and interesting. Raw quail eggs are particularly great for dogs who are on a raw food diet.
When it comes to serving raw eggs, the major worry most people have is the risk of transmitting salmonella to their dogs. But when it comes to quail eggs, this risk is almost nonexistent. This is because quails usually have higher temperatures than chickens, making it harder for salmonella to survive in them or their eggs. As such, they can barely transmit salmonella to humans, let alone dogs, especially considering the latter has a higher tolerance for bacteria.
That being said, you should always keep your dog’s habitat clean and feed them clean eggs from healthy quails. Salmonella and other bacteria can lurk around your dog’s space in large amounts and make them sick or get you sick. Also, try as much as possible to source your quail eggs from local farmers. This will allow you to see the quails the eggs come from and ensure that they are healthy, clean, and well cared for.
Raw Quail Eggs vs. Cooked Quail Eggs – Which Ones Are Better for Dogs?
While it’s natural to want to serve your dog cooked quail eggs when you’re first introducing the treat, cooking will take away some of its nutrients. But if you choose to go this route, you have several cooking options. You can soft boil, hard boil, or even scramble the eggs- just don’t add any salt, fat, or butter to them. Also, it’s always best to serve them shelled – their shells contain calcium.
The major nutritional effect of cooking quail eggs is that it reduces their protein content. However, it is the best option for dogs who have a health condition that prohibits them from eating raw eggs. Also, it’s a great option for those who are busy and are looking for a quick way to feed several dogs. You can just boil them in bulk instead of preparing a plate for each dog.
You can even freeze many quail eggs and then thaw and cook them when you’re ready to serve them. After all, quail eggs can safely be frozen for up to 12 months. And when you’re ready, you can safely thaw them in your refrigerator and keep them there for an additional 14 days before cooking them. This won’t affect their quality in any way.
How Many Quail Eggs Can a Dog Eat?
The number of quail eggs your dog can eat depends on its size. For instance, dogs of 80 pounds and over can eat 4 quail eggs per day, while those who weigh between 40 and 60 pounds can only handle 3. On the other hand, those between 20 and 40 pounds should only eat 2 per day while those under 20 pounds can only handle one. Ultimately, quail eggs are treats and should not be offered as a main dish.
Like with all eggs, ingesting too many quail eggs can make your dog sick. Some symptoms they may exhibit include bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. As such, you should never give your dog too many eggs at once or in a day. And when you’re first introducing your dog to quail eggs, you need to do it slowly.
This will give you time to confirm whether your dog likes quail eggs and determine its tolerance to them. As a rule of thumb, you should start your dog off with one quail egg per day and increase the amount from there. If you notice that the eggs cause digestive unrest and other symptoms, stop or move things slower. With time, you will find the best balance for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Quail Eggs Every Day?
While eating quail eggs every day can have nutritional benefits for your dog, doing so can lead to obesity. This is because quail eggs have a high-fat content – a single one has one gram of fat and 15 calories. This could be more than you would usually feed your dog, especially if your dog is small. As such, you should always serve quail eggs in moderation.
And if your dog already has weight and cholesterol issues, always check in with your vet before adding quail eggs to their diet. They are the only ones who can advise you on whether it’s worth it to introduce quail eggs into your dog’s diet and how to do it properly. But if your dog is a large healthy adult, eating an egg or two every day should be fine, unless they are intolerant/allergic to them or just hate them. Ultimately, it’s up to you to come up with a suitable way to incorporate quail eggs into your dog’s diet.
This could mean offering them every other day or even once a week. On the other days, you can feed them other types of eggs, such as those from chicken or ducks. After all, these are more readily available and have less fat. However, they also have less protein.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to quail meat and eggs, there’s little not to like. They provide your dog with a host of nutrients in quantities that other meats and eggs just don’t. And the fact that they can be seamlessly incorporated into both raw and cooked food diets is a great convenience for people with dogs on different diets. Ultimately, as long as you source these products from high-quality farms and introduce them to your dogs slowly, their benefits greatly outweigh any of their cons.
