can dogs eat eggs

Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

Dog owners commonly ponder about the toxicity of foods. The questions about the safety of different foods increased after learning that certain foods were toxic which led to a lot of press coverage. The most important foods are Grapes and Raisins and Peanut Butter. Exposure to the dangers of these foods have encouraged pet owners ask about other foods such as can dogs eat apples. Learn more about what dogs can and can’t eat in this article: The Ultimate Guide to What Dogs Can’t Eat.

Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

When researching the safety and dangers of eggs for dogs, it appears eggs are very safe to feed to most dogs (see more below about the details).

Dogs often love the flavor and soft texture of eggs, and enjoy this as a healthy snack. Eggs are a good source of riboflavin, selenium, and protein. Some veterinarians recommend cooked eggs to dogs with gastrointestinal upset.

NOTE: Any food can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. What may not bother some dogs may cause signs of illness in another dog. The same can happen in people. Some foods can bother some people and not others. Overfeeding can cause gastrointestinal upset and/or obesity.

The Dangers of Eggs to Dogs

Ingestion of raw eggs, eggshells, or large amount of egg can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs. Raw eggs can contain a dangerous bacteria Salmonella which can cause life-threatening infections with symptoms that include anorexia, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking eggs minimizes this risk.

Consistent ingestion of egg whites has been shown to cause Biotin deficiency. Biotin is a B complex vitamin that is important for many body functions including normal digestive function and skin health.

The other less common danger of eggs to dogs is the danger of choking or exposure to raw whole or cooked hard boiled eggs. Some dogs are not good at “chewing” their food and the danger of choking can occur.

Do Dogs Need Eggs?

There is nothing in eggs that dogs require. What dogs do need is a high-quality AAFCO approved dog food. Learn more about Nutrition in Dogs.

The Safest Way to Give Eggs to Dogs

The safest way to give an egg to your dog is give small amounts of a cooked egg cut into pieces. The egg can be scrambled (without butter) or hard-boiled. Do not give raw egg or eggshells.

If you decide to supplement your dog’s diet with eggs, the recommended amount is one to two small eggs per week for a medium-sized dog.