Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

Scrambled, fried, boiled, or poached — eggs taste great and offer plenty of nutritional benefits for people at the same time. But what about our dogs? Are eggs safe for dogs to eat? 

Yes, dogs can eat eggs! But there are a few important points to consider before giving them to your dog so you don’t end up with egg on your face.

Eggs are safe for dogs to eat and are a good source of protein, fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals. But eggs should be cooked before being fed to your dog, and they should be given more as an occasional treat rather than as a major part of your pup’’s diet.

Keep reading for all the key info you need to know about feeding eggs to dogs.

Yes. As a general rule, dogs do like eggs. This fondness for eggs can most likely be traced back to your pup’s wild ancestors who hunted their own food, and who could have stolen eggs from birds’ nests to provide a protein-rich meal.

It’s also worth remembering that individual dogs have their own taste preferences. While some dogs will inhale chopped bits of cooked egg in a matter of seconds, others may simply turn their nose up at an egg and walk away. And there’s nothing to worry about with either approach.

Eggs are loaded with plenty of nutritional benefits for dogs. Some of the key nutrients eggs provide include:

• Protein. 100 grams of whole egg contains 12.4 grams of protein, so eggs offer an easily digestible source of protein for your fur-baby. Protein does everything from promote muscle development to support your pet’s immune system and skin and coat health, so it’s an essential nutrient for dogs. Of course, your dog should be getting all the protein they need from their regular diet.
  
  
• Fatty acids. Fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are found in the egg yolk. They’re important for a strong immune system, help maintain heart health, and also support your dog’s skin and coat health.
  
  
• Amino acids. Amino acids are found in egg whites and are another important part of your dog’s diet. They support a wide range of essential bodily functions, from tissue repair to transporting oxygen throughout the body.
  
  
• Vitamin A. This essential vitamin strengthens your dog’s immune system, supports healthy vision and skin, and is even important for brain development. Find out more in our guide to Vitamin A for dogs.
  
  
• Iron and other minerals. Eggs are a source of iron, which helps transport oxygen around the body and supports the production of energy. Other important minerals including calcium and potassium are also found in eggs.

Eggs should only ever be given to your dog from time to time as an occasional treat. A large egg contains 72 calories, so you may only want to give your dog an “egg-cellent” snack once or twice a week.

The amount you should give them will depend on factors such as their size, age, lifestyle, and any pre-existing health problems. Speak to your vet to find out the optimal egg serving size for your fur-baby.

As with any new food, it’s important to introduce eggs into your dog’s diet slowly. Start with a small amount of cooked egg first and monitor your dog for any signs of an adverse reaction, for example an upset stomach. If there are no problems, you can start including cooked egg as part of your pet’s treat rotation.

Just remember that treats contribute to your dog’s daily calorie count. If you overdo it, your dog could be at risk of gaining weight.

No. Eating raw eggs could potentially expose your dog to Salmonella, the harmful bacteria that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Salmonellosis can also be spread from dogs to humans, so this is something you definitely want to avoid.

The other risk of eating raw eggs is biotin deficiency. Biotin is a vitamin that helps support connective tissue, maintains skin and coat health, and promotes immunity. But raw egg whites contain an enzyme called avidin, which reduces the body’s ability to absorb biotin. In rare cases, a biotin deficiency can result.

That’s why you should always avoid giving raw eggs to your dog.

Scrambled eggs are safe for dogs to eat, but with a one key warning. Make sure you only ever give your dog plain scrambled eggs.

When you prepare scrambled eggs for yourself, you most likely use extras like salt, pepper, oil, and butter during the cooking process. These can cause an upset stomach for your pet and potentially lead to other health issues, so remember to leave them out of the pan.

Your dog can eat boiled, scrambled, or poached eggs. The safest approach is to hard-boil an egg and then chop it up into bite-sized pieces for your dog to snack on or that can be sprinkled over their food.

It’s generally best if your dog doesn’t eat eggshells. While eggshells do contain calcium, there are other easier ways to add extra calcium to your dog’s diet if they need it — ask your vet for advice on how.

Eggshells can also have dangerous sharp edges that could potentially cut your dog’s throat, get stuck in their throat or even cause bladder stones. That’s why it’s best to avoid giving eggshells to your pup.

Yes. Proteins, including eggs, are one of the most common food allergens in dogs. Egg allergies can lead to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, itchiness, hives, inflammation, coughing, skin infections, and more.

Diagnosing a food allergy can be a time-consuming process. After ruling out other potential causes of your pet’s symptoms, your vet will then recommend feeding an elimination diet to narrow down to the offending ingredient. Check out our guides to egg yolk allergies and egg white allergies in dogs for more information.

So, there you have it: dogs can eat eggs. Just make sure you only ever give your dog cooked eggs, and that you prepare their eggs without any extras such as salt or oil. If you can do that, eggs make a “pawsome” occasional treat for your furry friend.