Can Dogs Eat Eggs? How to Feed Your Dog Eggs

Much like humans, dogs can eat eggs. Whether you serve your dog hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, or raw egg whites, expect your furry friend to lap it all up without risking any health issues for your dog’s body.

When part of a balanced diet, eggs have health benefits for dogs. Their many amino acids make for a good source of protein. Their healthy fatty acids can be good for your dog’s skin and cardiovascular health. Compared to many other human foods, eggs have a lot of nutritional value and can be a worthy supplement to the pet food you already feed your dog.

Humans typically avoid raw eggs on account of the potential for Salmonella contamination. For Homo sapiens, Salmonella infection can cause an upset stomach or worse. Dogs do not have the same gastrointestinal concerns. Thanks to many thousands of years of evolution, dog digestive systems can repel Salmonella and many similar bacteria. In fact, eggs are a natural food source for many wild dogs. This means domestic dog owners can feed raw eggs to their pets with minimal risk of Salmonella poisoning or other bacterial infections.

In general, dogs can safely eat eggshells in moderation. Eggshells contain calcium, but they’re difficult for your dog to digest unless ground into a powder. Consult your veterinarian before feeding your dog eggshells as a source of calcium, and if you do, consider grinding up the eggshells and mixing them into your dog’s food.

Eggs provide many nutrients that nourish your dog.

1. 1. Vitamins and minerals: A whole egg contains vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D, riboflavin, folate, selenium, phosphorus, and iron.
2. 2. Amino acids: Eggs contain amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Eggs are some of the most reliable sources of digestible protein for humans and animals alike.
3. 3. Fatty acids: High-density fatty acids (and even high-density cholesterol) can promote cardiac health. They also promote healthy skin.

Consider some tips for feeding eggs to your dogs.

1. 1. Feed your dog eggs in moderation. Dogs can be susceptible to issues like pancreatitis, obesity, and high cholesterol. To avoid these symptoms, offer eggs as an occasional treat, not a daily meal.
2. 2. Feed egg yolks and egg whites together. Egg whites contain avidin, which can inhibit the body’s absorption of biotin (which promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails). However, egg yolks contain a great deal of biotin. To avoid biotin deficiency in your dog, feed them whole eggs, not just separated egg whites.
3. 3. Raw eggs are fine, but watch out for a mess. If you give a dog a whole raw egg, they may want to play with it and eat it in a sloppy manner. For this reason, avoid giving a dog a raw egg unless you’re outside or on a paper-lined floor. You can also crack a raw egg over a bowl of dog food, which allows your dog to enjoy the flavors in a far less sloppy way.
4. 4. Choose free-range eggs when possible. Free-range eggs are better for pet health, and they’re better for the chickens that lay them. This is because free-range hens exhibit less stress, and they lay eggs that tend to be more nutrient-rich. When your dog eats these eggs, they’re getting just a bit more nutritional value.
5. 5. Avoid feeding eggs cooked with added ingredients. While it might be tempting to feed your dog a bit of your sausage omelet, it’s best to only feed dogs plain eggs. Many added ingredients you find in cooked egg dishes for humans—such as garlic, onions, butter, and salt—can be detrimental to your dog’s health.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.