Can dogs eat eggs?
Guide summary
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Yes, dogs can eat eggs, as long as they're cooked and plain, with no salt, oil or butter, as an occasional extra. Eggs are a good source of protein, but raw eggs aren't recommended, because of the risk of salmonella and because raw egg white blocks a vitamin. Skip the shell.
How much egg can a dog eat?
Treats and extras, eggs included, shouldn't make up more than 10% of the calories your dog needs each day (Hill's). A large egg has about 70 calories. As a rough guide for a healthy adult dog:
| Your dog's weight | Occasional amount |
|---|---|
| Toy (under 10 lb) | A quarter of an egg |
| Small (10-20 lb) | Half an egg |
| Medium (20-50 lb) | One egg |
| Large (over 50 lb) | One egg, two at most |
Give it now and then, not every day, and cut back a little on treats or their regular food that day. To see how many calories your dog needs, use our pet food calculator.
Cooked yes, raw no
Raw eggs have two problems (AKC; ASPCA):
- Salmonella and other bacteria. They can make your dog sick and spread to people in your home, especially children, older adults and anyone with a weak immune system.
- Avidin. This protein in raw egg white binds biotin (a B vitamin) and keeps the body from using it. A dog that eats raw eggs often can end up with skin and coat problems. Cooking inactivates avidin.
If your dog eats a raw diet, follow a plan designed by a veterinary nutritionist.
How to prepare eggs for your dog
- Hard-boiled or scrambled in a nonstick pan, always without salt, oil, butter or seasonings.
- Never with onions or garlic, so no omelets or leftover breakfast scrambles: both are toxic to dogs, even cooked. See foods dogs can't eat.
- Cut into small pieces and cooled, so it can't burn your dog or be a choking risk.
- Mixed into their food or used as a training treat.
What about the shell?
Better not. Pieces of shell have sharp edges that can hurt your dog's throat or digestive tract (AKC). If someone suggests ground eggshell as a calcium supplement, ask your vet first: a complete dog food already has the calcium your dog needs, and too much is also harmful, especially for puppies.
Benefits of eggs
- High-quality protein, with all the essential amino acids.
- Fats and essential fatty acids.
- B vitamins, iron and folate.
- They're easy to digest, which is why vets sometimes include them in bland diets.
Still, eggs are an extra: they don't replace a complete, balanced dog food.
When to skip eggs
Talk to your vet before giving your dog eggs if they:
- Have a food allergy or sensitivity. If they get vomiting, diarrhea, itching or swelling after eating egg, don't give it again.
- Have had pancreatitis or need a low-fat diet: the yolk is fatty.
- Are overweight or on a special diet for a health condition.
If your dog has never had egg, start with a small bite and see how it agrees with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can puppies eat eggs?
Yes, cooked and in very small amounts, as a treat. Most of what a puppy eats should be their puppy food, which is balanced for growth.
Can I give my dog an egg every day?
It's not ideal. A daily egg can go over 10% of the calories a small or medium dog needs and unbalance their diet. Give it now and then, and if you want to make it a daily thing, ask your vet how to adjust their food.
Are eggs good for a dog with diarrhea?
A little plain cooked egg can be part of a bland diet, but it's not a treatment. If the diarrhea lasts more than a day or your dog won't eat, call your vet. See dog with diarrhea and not eating.
What if my dog ate a raw egg?
One raw egg usually isn't a problem. Watch your dog for a couple of days for vomiting, diarrhea or fever, and call your vet if they appear.
Sources
This article is for general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet's health, call your vet clinic.
