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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Dried Egg Whites

Lean egg protein that helps bind wet food

Dried egg whites are separated egg whites with most of their water removed. They add concentrated protein with very little fat, and their proteins help wet food hold its shape. The label alone cannot tell you how much egg protein the finished food contains.

What it is
Egg whites separated from yolks and dried into a concentrated, low fat protein powder.
Made from
The whites of chicken eggs
Main job
Protein and binding
Typical amount
Test formulas used 2 to 6%
Watch for
A diagnosed egg allergy
Not the same as
Dried whole egg

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 66 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

2%

47 of the 3,105 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 15 brands. 43 wet dog food, 4 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 6. In the top five of 12 foods, so it is usually a supporting ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

100%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.36
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 3 priced foods, 34% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

19%

of the foods that list it are from I and Love and You. 15 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Egg processors separate whites and yolks for different uses. They reduce water in the liquid whites to make a powder that is easier to store and measure into food. Some pet ingredient suppliers use streams from human food processing.5,6,9

  1. 01 // Source Chicken eggs Eggs are broken and the whites are separated from the yolks and shells.
  2. 02 // Process Glucose reduced Before drying, processors can reduce glucose in the liquid whites using enzymes or controlled fermentation.
  3. 03 // Process Spray dried Liquid whites are sprayed into hot air, which removes water and leaves a dry powder.
  4. 04 // Output Dried egg whites The powder reaches pet food plants as a concentrated protein ingredient that also binds food when heated.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

83

% protein

About 83% protein in one tested powder. It contributes protein without bringing along the yolk's fat.

Crude protein 83.5%3
Ash 5.4%3
Crude fat 0.2%3
Crude fiber 0.1%3

These figures come from one purchased powder, not a published range. How completely processors separate the yolk affects fat content, and this sample cannot tell you the finished food's composition.3,6

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Adds lean protein

    Removing water concentrates the white's protein without adding the yolk's fat. It raises protein in a recipe, though the other ingredients determine the finished food's analysis.3

  2. 02

    Holds wet food together

    Egg white proteins set when heated. In a canned food test, adding egg white made meat pieces firmer and increased their uptake of gravy.8

  3. 03

    Uses a dry ingredient

    Powder is easier to store and weigh than liquid whites. Suppliers also turn some egg streams from human food processing into pet ingredients, giving manufacturers another protein source.9

How much An industry authored canned food test used egg white at 2, 4 and 6% of the recipe.8

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Dried egg whites add concentrated lean protein

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    One laboratory analysis measured 83.49% protein and 0.15% fat on a dry matter basis. Those are ingredient figures; the finished food's protein and fat depend on everything else in the recipe.3

  2. Brands say

    Egg whites improve the texture of wet food

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    An industry authored canned food test made 3 batches per treatment. Egg white increased measured texture against the binder free control at 2 and 6% inclusion. The test measured food structure, not a benefit to dogs.8

  3. Brands say

    Egg white is the perfect protein for dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 10-day chick growth assay tested dried egg white alongside other proteins. Chicks have different protein needs from dogs, so that assay cannot show that egg white is a perfect protein in dog food.3

  4. Owners say

    Egg whites commonly trigger food allergies

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In an antibody study, 8 of 82 dogs already diagnosed with food reactions recognized egg white. A 12-dog whole egg challenge also produced placebo reactions. Egg allergy is real, but neither study shows it is common among dogs.1,2

  5. Owners say

    Spray drying removes the avidin problem

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Researchers measured active avidin in a spray dried egg white powder, and US rules make avidin reduction optional. The powder alone is no guarantee. These findings do not show biotin deficiency from a small amount in cooked dog food.4,5

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It supplies concentrated protein and helps hold wet food together during cooking. A small amount used for texture still has a job. Its place on the label helps show whether it is a minor binder or a larger protein source.3,7,8

  2. Q02

    Is it the same as whole egg?

    No

    Whole egg includes the yolk and its fat. Dried egg whites exclude the yolk, so they add protein with very little fat. The names describe different ingredients.3,6

  3. Q03

    Does drying make avidin harmless?

    Not necessarily

    A tested spray dried powder still contained active avidin, which binds biotin. The concern is heavy use of powder with little further heating. The cited research does not show harm from a small amount in cooked commercial dog food.4,5,8

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. I and Love and You 9
  2. Merrick 7
  3. Taste of the Wild 4
  4. Go! Solutions 4
  5. Canidae 3
  6. Orijen 3
  7. Victor 3
  8. Iams 3
  9. Nulo 3
  10. Halo 2

Plus 5 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Carrots 66%
  2. Peas 60%
  3. Chicken Liver 55%
  4. Chicken 53%
  5. Chicken Broth 40%
  6. Guar Gum 38%
  7. Potato Starch 34%
  8. Beef Broth 32%
  9. Dried Egg Product 30%
  10. Turkey Broth 30%
  11. Beef 30%
  12. Turkey 28%

On the shelf

Foods that list it

47 foods in our reviews list it. Here are some of them.

Canidae Pure Petite , Grain Free Minced Beef and Carrots Recipe for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinCanidae Pure Petite , Grain Free Morsels Lamb and Carrots for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinCanidae Pure Petite , Grain Free Turkey & Green Beans for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinGo! Solutions Sensitivities Duck Pâté Grain-Free Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Beef Stew Grain-Free Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Texas Steak Grain-Free Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinOrijen Real Meat Chicken Recipe Stew with Shredded Chicken & Eggs Wet Dog Food61.1% protein
Show 39 more TruDog Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed ca Wet Dog Food43.2% proteinJinx Salmon & Vegetable Bone Broth Stew Wet Dog Food40.0% proteinDave’s Pet Food Dave’s Stewlicious Surf & Turf with Chicken and Salmon for Dogs / 13.2 Grain-Free Wet Dog Food40.0% proteinTaste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Bison in Gravy Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinVictor Select Grain Free Cuts Gravy | Beef and Vegetables Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinIams Proactive Health Adult Lamb, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Mature Cup Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinI and Love and You Top That Wit Lamb Recipe in Gravy Dog Food Topper44.4% proteinVictor Select Grain Free Chicken and Vegetables Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinVictor Select Grain Free Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinTaste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Recipe with Salmon in Gravy Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinI and Love and You Naked Essentials Cluckin’ Good Stew Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinI and Love and You Naked Essentials Moo Venison Stew Dog Cans Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinI and Love and You Naked Essentials Gobble It Up Stew Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinI and Love and You Naked Essentials Lambarama Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinI and Love and You Naked Essentials Beef Booyah Stew Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinTaste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Canine Recipe with Lamb in Gravy Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinTaste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Canine Recipe with Beef in Gravy Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Pollock Pâté Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Shredded Chicken Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Turkey + Salmon Pâté Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinHalo Holistic Grain Free Chicken & Salmon Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog Food43.2% proteinHalo Holistic Grain Free Turkey & Duck Recipe Small Breed Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinSolid Gold Mighty Mini Turkey Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinSolid Gold Mighty Mini Chicken Food for Toy & Small Dogs Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinOrijen Original Stew Recipe with Chicken, Turkey & Eggs Wet Dog Food61.1% proteinIams Proactive Health Adult Beef, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinIams Proactive Health Adult Chicken, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog Food50.0% proteinOrijen Real Meat Beef Recipe Stew with Shredded Beef & Eggs Wet Dog Food61.1% proteinNulo MedalSeries Paté Chicken, Carrots & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinNulo MedalSeries Paté Beef, Peas & Carrots Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinNulo MedalSeries Paté Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Grain Free Duck Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Grain Free Puppy Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Surf & Turf Grain-Free Wet Dog Food47.2% proteinMerrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed Thanksgiving Grain-Free Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinI and Love and You Top That Tummy Chicken Recipe in Gravy Dog Food Topper44.4% proteinI and Love and You Top That Shine Beef Recipe in Gravy Dog Food Topper44.4% proteinI and Love and You Top That Boost Duck Recipe in Gravy Dog Food Topper44.4% protein

Our read // On the bag

Read its position, then check the protein

Dried egg whites high on the list contribute substantial egg protein. Farther down, they may chiefly help the food hold its shape. Check the finished food's protein and fat figures and the ingredients around the egg whites. Skip the food if your dog has a diagnosed egg allergy.

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Challenge Test With Single Food Items in Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis and Adverse Food Reactions Veterinary Dermatology, 2026 // Journal
  2. 2 IgE reactivity to hen egg white allergens in dogs with cutaneous adverse food reactions Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, abstract hosted by Okayama University, 2016 // Journal
  3. 3 The amino acid composition and protein quality of various egg, poultry meal by-products, and vegetable proteins used in the production of dog and cat diets Poultry Science, 2019 // Journal
  4. 4 Identification and assessment of markers of biotin status in healthy adults British Journal of Nutrition, 2013 // Journal
  5. 5 21 CFR 160.145: Dried egg whites Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, n.d. // Government
  6. 6 Canadian Feed Ingredients Table Canadian Food Inspection Agency, n.d. // Regulator
  7. 7 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  8. 8 Effect of spray dried plasma compared to egg white or whole egg as functional binders in canned pet food APC, 2023 // Industry
  9. 9 Egg ingredients Symrise Pet Food, 2026 // Industry
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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