We don’t always think twice about nutrition when we feed our pets. So we ask, can dogs eat eggs? 

To answer the question in detail, let’s go back a few millennia to the time when man’s best friend wasn’t yet domesticated. In that period, canines had to fend for themselves in the wilderness. Going after birds’ nests, dogs ate every part of the egg to feed themselves. So yes, dogs can eat eggs and they can be a very beneficial addition to their diet. They provide lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein, but they also might have some detrimental effects in certain instances. Here’s what you need to know: 

Key Findings

  • Eggs are a perfectly safe food for dogs as long as they are fully cooked
  • Dogs shouldn’t eat more than one egg per day
  • Eggs can be high in cholesterol and may cause an upset stomach in the short term and obesity in the long term
  • They’re almost a 100% complete protein
  • An average egg has about 75 calories
  • Eggs can help settle a dog’s upset stomach if they’re not feeling well
  • Eggs contain the essential amino and fatty acids that your dog needs to grow strong, lean, and healthy
  • Raw eggs contain a protein called avidin, which can bind biotin and cause a biotin deficiency

Are Eggs Good for Dogs? 

Since they’re the purest source of protein, eggs are an excellent food supplement. With all the extra nutrients that keep your dog healthy, it’s good for your pet to consume them.

So, can dogs eat eggs? The short answer is yes!

But there’s more to it than that.

Nutritional Egg Value for Dogs

Your four-legged friend needs specific micro and macronutrients for its healthy growth. 

Proteins 

The most important egg nutrients are proteins. They’re essential for building muscle mass that helps your dog grow strong and healthy. It’s all thanks to amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. 

The amino acids egg protein contains are arginine, valine, histidine, tryptophan, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, lysine, phenylalanine, and methionine. This is why eggs are not only safe for dogs, but they’re also a healthy treat. 

Riboflavin 

Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is abundant in eggs and vital for your pet. Also, it helps with energy metabolism, vision, the nervous system, and red blood cell development. 

The lack of it can impair the dog’s growth, resulting in anorexia, weakness, ataxia, weight loss, and eventual death. When this happens to adult dogs, the result is bilateral corneal opacity.

Vitamin D

This nutrient is crucial to the regulation, balance, and retention of calcium and phosphorus. Healthy bones, teeth, muscle function, and immune system maintenance also depend on vitamin D. 

It is also a part of the egg yolk, so if you’ve questioned “can dogs eat eggs yolk?”, that’s a definite yes. But make sure they eat it in moderation. 

four white eggs in the straw

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that safeguards your pet from oxidative stress. It helps maintain your dogs’ heart, muscles, liver, nerve cells, skin, and immune system healthy. It can also be used in diseases such as canine osteoarthritis and canine atopic dermatitis.

If your dog is deficient in it, its eyes and muscles could degenerate fast. What’s more, it could potentially lead to infertility.

Vitamin A 

This nutrient is paramount for dogs’ skin, coat, eyes, immune system, nerve health and physical development. 

In case your puppy lacks vitamin A, its hair might start falling off. Besides, it’ll develop skin issues, eye dryness, and a high risk of infections. So, next time you see your dog eating an egg, remember that’s how it stays healthy. 

Iron 

Make sure your four-legged friend gets optimal oxygen in its blood by adding more iron to its diet. There’s plenty of it in eggs, which is essential for the formation and usage of enzymes in the dog’s body. 

If your dog is deficient in iron, you may notice such symptoms as anorexia, lethargy, weakness, depression, rapid breathing, slowed growth, high susceptibility to infection, and dark colored stools.

Calcium and Phosphorous 

While the eggs themselves are cooked and eaten, the shells are tossed away, but are eggshells bad for dogs?

Well, they’re rich in calcium and phosphorus, which are both parts of your dog’s bone composition. Calcium is vital for the dog’s bone cartilage development. It’s also a hormone transmitter. 

There are however some better ways to include calcium in your dogs’ diet as egg shells have sharp edges.

Folate 

Folate is essential for pregnant dogs. It plays a significant role in DNA synthesis, critical to the puppies’ development in the womb. What’s more, it’s also necessary for red blood cell production. 

Folate deficiency in dogs may lead to malabsorption, weight loss, lower immune response, anemia, and impaired fetal growth. So if you wondered “are eggs bad for dogs”, knowing these benefits, the answer is no.

Selenium 

Eggs contain little selenium, but it’s an excellent addition to the mix. 

Selenium is a mineral that helps the dog’s immune system and thyroid gland to function optimally. It was also found to improve dog’s skin and coat, and one study even claims that selenium supplements may reduce cancer risks in dogs.

High levels may be toxic and selenium deficiency could lead to myopathy or thyroid complications.

Eggs are safe for dogs to eat & they come with many nutrients — protein, riboflavin, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin A, iron, calcium, phosphorous, folate, and selenium. 

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Eggs?

In short, yes, feel free to cook for your pet. You can boil the eggs or even make them sunny-side up. 

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

When boiling an egg for your dog, make sure the egg white is fully hardened. Also, feed the eggshells, too, since they’re an excellent source of calcium for bones and teeth. 

But can dogs eat scrambled eggs?

Yes, just be very careful not to add any spices or condiments that might end up poisoning your pet. 

Scrambled eggs with onion and tomatoes may sound delicious to you, but did you know that onion is poisonous to dogs? Since it can cause kidney failure, try to keep it simple and plain. You may add a bit of oil, but that’s about it. That said, you may throw in turmeric to improve your dog’s health.

What about cheese? Can dogs eat eggs with cheese? 

Yes, but it depends on the type of cheese. Some, like the blue cheese, can be poisonous to your pet. Cheese on its own is fine as a dog treat, but adding it to eggs comes with lots of calories and fat. All in all, it’s best to do it in moderation. 

Cooked eggs are safe for dogs to eat & the most preferred ways are boiled, scrambled, and sunny-side up. Keep it simple and don’t add any spices or other ingredients that may upset your dog’s stomach. Don’t forget to include eggshells. 

Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?

Just like some other foods that can harm your pet, feeding raw eggs to your dog is out of the question. . 

Raw eggs are very hard to digest. Most proteins lose their nutritional value when cooked, but egg proteins do the opposite. Well done eggs are more nourishing and easily digestible for dogs. Cook them thoroughly before feeding them to your pet. 

Here are the reasons why you must avoid feeding raw eggs at all costs:

Salmonella

All raw eggs contain salmonella, which gets destroyed in the cooking process. These troublesome bacteria can still linger, no matter how much you clean the egg. 

Salmonella infections from raw or uncooked eggs are manageable in dogs because they have a robust digestive system. Still, with constant exposure, your dog may suffer from diarrhea and get blood in the stool. If your dog has any of these symptoms, you can help them out by giving them some tummy ache remedies like bone broth, chicken and rice, ginger, etc.

Biotin Deficiency

Another reason why raw eggs are a terrible idea for your four-legged friend is biotin deficiency. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that traps the available biotin, and the dog’s body can’t absorb it. The lack of this vitamin worsens your pet’s hair and skin health. Besides, this deficiency is just as bad for digestion, metabolism, and cell malfunctions.

So, can dogs eat raw eggs? The answer is a loud no. 

Raw eggs are a big no-no for dogs. Here’s why — they’re hard to digest, contain salmonella, and run the risk of biotin deficiency. 
Can dogs eat eggs? Yes, puppies including.

Are Eggshells Nutritious for Dogs? 

Yes, they’re a fantastic treat for canines because of all the calcium. When you prepare hard-boiled eggs, crush the shells, mix them with the egg and give them to your dog. 

You could also crush a large eggshell quantity and add a few tablespoons to the dog food. Egg nutrients mean nothing if your dog doesn’t have the right food to begin with, check out these foods for large dog breeds, to get your pup the best. 

Dog Health Conditions and Eggs

Speaking of dogs and eggs, certain conditions may need special care.

Egg Allergy

Just like other foods, eggs also contain allergens that might affect your pup. Dogs allergic to eggs may show the following symptoms:

  • Restlessness
  • Rubbing its face with its paws
  • Bald patches 
  • Ear infections
  • Chronic ear infections
  • Inflamed feet
  • Hives 
  • Coughing 
  • Obsessive licking

If your dog shows any of the symptoms above, stop feeding it eggs at once. Also, consider consulting your vet on what to do if your dog shows allergy symptoms.

Diabetic Dogs

Eggs are a good meal for a diabetic dog. They’re a great source of protein and calcium, and they don’t affect the canine’s blood sugar level. So, can a diabetic dog eat eggs? Of course, they can. 

When it comes to making scrambled eggs for a diabetic dog, use just water. Avoid oils, salt, and spices, since they can be harmful. Too many scrambled eggs made with oils may cause high cholesterol levels.

Dogs with Pancreatitis

A dog suffering from pancreatitis has an inflamed pancreas. In other words, the organ is less able to produce vital enzymes that ease digestion in the small intestines. So knowing that, can dogs with pancreatitis eat eggs? Well, they can only have the egg white, and it has to be boiled, not fried. Fatty foods don’t have a positive effect on dogs with pancreatitis.

You can also consider pup probiotics, but always check with your vet first. 

While eggs and eggshells are overflowing with nutrition, not all dogs can have them. Eggs aren’t recommended for allergy sufferers, diabetic dogs, and those with pancreatitis. 

Feeding Eggs to Dogs: Risks and Concerns

Cooked eggs are safe for dogs, but there are a few things to keep a mind on. Don’t add any spices, oils, onion, or salt. Once the egg is fully cooked, crumble it up with the shells, and then feed your dog. 

Eggs have great nutritional benefits, but eating too much can be detrimental to your four-legged friend. For instance, it may increase the caloric intake and make the dog obese. Excess body fat causes breathing complications, heart problems, and infections that significantly shorten the animal’s life span.

If you don’t cook the eggs thoroughly, you risk the increase of salmonella. Also, make sure to wash the eggs before boiling to avoid any bacteria lingering on the shell. 

How Often Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

An egg per day is fine. But it’s best to divide it into parts and feed it throughout the day. The trick is to present it as a treat, once every few hours.

It’s also advisable to switch the parts you feed your dog. Give the egg white today, the yolk tomorrow, followed by the eggshells, and, finally, a whole boiled egg. 

You can also offer different kinds of eggs to your dog. Any egg that’s good for humans is safe for your pet. Chicken eggs are the standard, but can dogs eat duck eggs? Yes, they are just as good as chicken eggs. Another great alternative are quail eggs.

Can You Give Eggs To Your Pups?

Most of the rules when giving eggs to dogs also apply to puppies. You should always be sure to buy high quality eggs and prevent them from spoiling. Don’t give puppies raw eggs and cooked eggs with other condiments. You can give them eggshells in the same way you give it to adult dogs, but other alternatives for calcium are better.

So can puppies eat eggs? Yes, they can. But be sure to introduce them slowly to their diet and in small amounts. When introducing new food, monitor your pup for any symptoms of stomach upset like diarrhea, vomiting, gas, or abdominal pain. These might indicate that you’ve given a bit too much than they can handle.

Cooking eggs for dogs is simple — no spices, onions, and oil. Always include the eggshells and wash them thoroughly. To avoid obesity, stick to one egg per day. And can you feed puppies eggs? Yes. It’s a safe treat that even puppies can eat.

Tips and Advice

  • Start small. It’ll give you time to find out if your dog is allergic or not.
  • Cook the eggs as plainly as possible — no salt, spices, or even oil (if your pet is diabetic or has pancreatitis). If you add oil, do so sparingly.
  • Feed your dog with the types of eggs you would eat. For example, chicken, duck, and quail eggs. 
  • If your dog has any special conditions or illnesses, consult a vet before giving it eggs.

Final Thoughts: Paws up for Eggs 

So, can dogs eat eggs? Absolutely, just make sure they’re not raw and don’t overdo it. 

Eggs provide vital nutrients like protein, vitamins A, D, E, riboflavin, and selenium. This natural mix plays a significant role in maintaining your dog’s overall nervous, heart, skin, and coat health. 

They should be introduced to your dog slowly, and shouldn’t be given in large quantities. You can include eggs as boiled or scrambled and can use chicken, duck, or quail eggs to change things up. Now you no longer have to worry about feeding your dog eggs. 

References

Sea, good food, yoga, and traveling adventures are just some of the things that excite me in life. I’m a curiosity-driven creature, addicted to SEO, UI design, and everything that makes the web easier to browse and use. If I’m not behind the keyboard researching everything digital, you can usually find me playing with my lovely fluff Bella somewhere in the world.

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