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Eggs are inexpensive, yummy and have a lot of nutrients. They’re perfectly safe & healthy for humans to eat.
But can dogs eat eggs? We answer this question below, plus we share our favorite ways to give dogs eggs, and provide some safety tips.
Can dogs eat eggs?
Yes, dog can eat eggs, as long as they’re cooked. Give your dogs eggs in moderation, and watch out for any allergic reactions. More details below.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and healthy fats; plus, they have an impressive array of vitamins & minerals.
How many eggs can your dog eat?
There’s no consensus among experts on this matter, so, erring on the side of safety, we recommend only 1-2 eggs per week for small dogs, and 2-4 eggs per week for medium and large dogs. This can be spread out over the week in any way you like, 1/4 egg per day, for example.
Can puppies eat eggs?
Yes, puppies can eat eggs, too! The proteins & healthy fats in eggs are excellent substrates for the rapid growth phase of puppies.
Watch out for allergies
Like any other food that contains proteins, egg is a common allergen in dogs.
Watch out for these common signs of an allergic reaction the first few times your feed your dog eggs:
If you notice any of these signs, stop giving your dog eggs immediately and seek a vet consult urgently.
How to feed dogs eggs
Scrambled, sunny-side up, poached or hard boiled — any type of cooked eggs is safe, as long as you skip the salt, spices, oil or butter. Dogs will enjoy their eggs without any additional flavoring.
We recommend using large eggs (as most recipes call for large eggs). Eggs should be cooked to at least 160° F (71° C), and stored at 40° F (4° C; refrigerated) if not served immediately after cooking.
Below we share our 2 favorite styles of eggs to give our own dogs:
Scrambled eggs are easy for dogs to digest. We love mixing in some scrambled eggs with our dogs’ dry food. It adds new aromas and textures to the meal, which excites and mentally stimulates dogs.
Hard boiled eggs are a perfect topper to any meal. They’re easy to store (refrigerated) for multi-day use, and they’re also the perfect cold treat on a warm day!
Can dogs eat raw eggs?
Most veterinarians advise against feeding dogs raw eggs. There are no added benefits to feeding dogs raw eggs, but there are potential complications. Below we detail some of these complications, which are generally uncommon, but they are still possible.
Salmonella is the major complication to watch out for. It’s an infection of the stomach that can arise from eating any raw or undercooked food. Common symptoms include stomach pain, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and poor appetite.
Biotin deficiency is a rare disease that may occur from feeding your dogs raw eggs over many months. Biotin is an essential vitamin (vitamin B7) that supports many metabolic functions in the body.
Allergies to raw eggs are due to the proteins found in egg whites. Watch out for the signs of an allergy as listed above.
What to do if your dogs eats raw eggs
If your dog eats raw eggs, whether it’s just once or multiple times, we recommend getting in contact with your vet.
Complications arising from eating raw eggs can begin to develop within minutes (such as in allergy attacks) or 1-3 days later (such as in salmonella infections). We advise monitoring your dog under the supervision of a trusted veterinarian.
Can dogs eat egg shells?
Eggs shells are safe to eat, but provide little additional nutritional benefit for dogs. They contain calcium, but not other minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium that support bone health.
We recommend against using egg shells for its nutritional benefit, but agree with using them as an occasional meal supplement for dogs. Crushed up egg shells mixed in with your dog’s food can be mentally stimulating for him. Just be mindful of the sharp edges of an egg’s shell and watch out for any cuts in your dog’s mouth.
Great! Now that you know a lot more about egg safety in dogs, why not check out our full list of foods dogs can and cannot eat?