Dogs

Can Dogs Have Eggs?

Nicole Groshek  |  August 6, 2024  |  6 minute read

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Yes, you can let your dog or puppy enjoy fully cooked eggs in moderation! Eggs can be a healthy treat for your pup at any age, as long as they’re eating a diet with complete and balanced nutrition. Some dogs are allergic or sensitive to eggs, so always check with your vet before giving your dog a new food for the first time, and keep an eye out for signs of a reaction.

Are Eggs Good for Dogs?

Eggs are packed with nutrients that are good for dogs, including:

• Protein – eggs are a high-quality source of protein & have all 9 essential amino acids
• Vitamin D – plays an essential role in bone strength, immunity & kidney function
• Vitamin A – an essential vitamin for vision, immune health & a healthy skin and coat
• Vitamins B2, B5 & B12 – important vitamins for regulating energy, digestion & much more
• Omega-3 fatty acids – good for skin & coat health, among many other benefits
• Choline – an essential nutrient for liver & muscle function
• Selenium – an essential mineral for metabolism, thyroid & immune function
• Lutein & Zeaxanthin – these protective antioxidants are great for eye health

Egg whites are almost entirely protein, while most of the other nutrients are found in the yolk. Scrambled whole eggs are a great way to whip up a high-protein, nutrient-dense treat for your dog! Feeding your dog some egg can also help settle an upset stomach (vomiting or diarrhea).

Can dogs who are allergic to chicken eat eggs?

It’s more common for dogs to be allergic to chicken than eggs, which are a totally different allergen. So if your dog has a chicken allergy they may be able to have eggs without any reaction.

Eggs are fine for pregnant dogs

A pregnant dog can have eggs, as long as they’re not allergic or sensitive to them. Whole eggs can be a great way to supplement a pregnant dog’s diet, under the guidance of your veterinarian.

What about eggshells?

Some people say feeding your dog eggshells is a good way to give them calcium and other minerals, but it’s not a good idea. There aren’t any nutrients in the shell that aren’t also found in the egg white and yolk. Even when crushed, eggshells can have sharp edges that scratch or get caught in your dog’s throat. If your dog has a calcium deficiency, there are safer ways of adding more calcium to their diet. Our raw diets for dogs have raw, ground bone, which is a great (and safe) source of calcium.

Not All Dogs Should Eat Eggs

Of course, if your dog has an egg allergy or sensitivity you shouldn’t give them eggs or any dog food that has egg in it. (All of our dog foods are egg-free, apart from our Digestive Support Dinner Morsels, which include egg yolk.)

Dogs with pancreatitis shouldn’t have whole eggs

Dogs with pancreatitis shouldn’t eat egg yolks, which are high in fat. But they can still enjoy some egg whites, as long as they’re not cooked in any butter or oil.

Dogs with kidney disease should avoid eggs

If your dog has kidney disease, don’t feed them any egg unless your veterinarian allows it. Egg yolks have a lot of phosphorus and egg whites have a lot of protein, both of which are monitored carefully on a renal diet.

How Much Egg Can My Dog Eat?

How much egg your dog can have depends on their size and activity level. If you give your dog too much egg (or too much of any food) it can cause unhealthy weight gain or digestive distress. Treats should be no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories, and an average whole egg has 70-80 calories. 

A large adult dog like a Great Dane can eat anywhere from 2500-3000 calories per day, so feeding a dog like that one egg per day would be safely within the limit. At the other end of the spectrum, an adult Chihuahua only eats around 200-250 calories per day, so giving them an entire egg wouldn’t be healthy. If your dog really loves eggs and you want to max out their daily or weekly limit, talk to your vet to come up with an ideal amount.

Here’s an easy way to control calories when feeding your dog eggs:

1. Crack an egg into a bowl or measuring cup and whip it up with a fork to blend the white and yolk together
2. Scramble, microwave or pan fry the egg mixture (don’t use any oil or butter if pan frying)
3. Divide the cooked egg into 8 equal parts: each part will have around 10 calories
4. Refer to the feeding instructions on your dog’s food packaging to get their recommended daily calories
5. Make sure the amount of egg you feed your dog is less than 10% of their daily total
6. Subtract the same amount of calories from their daily serving of dog food to balance things out

Can My Dog Have Eggs Every Day?

In theory, as long as you’re accounting for the calories it’s fine for your dog to have some egg every day. But if your dog isn’t used to eating egg, feeding it to them daily might cause an upset stomach. Before you decide to give your dog eggs on a regular basis, discuss it with your vet and start slow.

Ways to Feed Eggs to Your Dog

The only way you should feed eggs to your dog is fully cooked, never raw, and free of seasonings.

Safe ways to cook eggs for your dog include:

• Scrambled
• Hard-boiled
• Poached
• Microwaved
• Pan-fried (without oil or butter)

Don’t use any of these methods when making eggs for your dog:

• Over easy or sunny side up (if the yolk is runny, it’s not fully cooked)
• Fried in butter or oil (too much fat)
• Deviled eggs or egg salad (they have seasonings & other ingredients that aren’t good for dogs)

Only feed your dog plain cooked eggs with no oil, salt or pepper. Don’t give them part of your omelet or other people foods typically served with eggs (like cheese, bacon, sausage, chorizo, ham, bread and potatoes). Fatty meats, cheeses and starchy carbs add a lot more calories and risk digestive upset.

If you want to give your dog something more than just plain eggs, you can make them a special “omelet” by adding some dog-safe veggies like spinach, kale, carrots or bell pepper—they’re all low-calorie and nutrient rich.

Don’t give your dog any garlic, onions, shallots or chives as they can be toxic to dogs. (Learn about other human foods that are dangerous for dogs.)

There are a few different ways to feed eggs to your dog:

• Alone, as a treat
• As a dog food topper or mixer
• As a vehicle for prescribed medication

Learn more about bowl building for dogs, which can include eggs!

What Types of Eggs Can Dogs Eat? 

Chicken eggs are the most popular, but you can also feed your dog quail eggs or duck eggs (the same guidelines apply). Fish eggs like caviar or salmon roe are different – they’re really high in sodium, which can be dangerous for dogs. Plant-based eggs (like Just Egg) may be safe for dogs to eat, since they’re usually made out of dog-safe foods like tofu, mung bean protein and flax seed. But there are two reasons why you shouldn’t give your dog plant-based eggs:

• Some plant-based eggs include dehydrated garlic and/or onion, which is toxic to dogs
• Plant-based eggs are a highly processed food, which is harder to digest than a whole food like eggs

You’re better off enjoying plant-based eggs yourself if that’s what you prefer, and giving your dog real egg as an occasional treat. Keep reading to learn about other healthy human foods your dog can eat, or find delicious dog treats your dog can enjoy right out of the bag!