- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Scrambled, poached, or sunny-side up: No matter how you take your eggs, they’re a delicious and protein-rich part of many of our daily diets. Before frying up an egg for your dog though, ask yourself, “Can dogs eat eggs?”
Luckily, the answer is yes—but it completely depends on how you prepare them.
Eggs are a great source of protein for dogs and also contain essential fatty and amino acids. Eggs can even help settle a dog’s upset stomach if they’re not feeling well.
Like most foods though, preparation and amount given are key to keeping your dog healthy and happy while enjoying their fluffy egg snack.
How Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
There are many ways to work eggs into your dog’s diet that go beyond the usual breakfast food ideas. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your dog is getting the most out of this snack:
- Are raw eggs okay? There are mixed reviews on whether you should serve raw eggs to your dog. Certainly, dogs have a long history of hunting birds nests specifically for eating their raw egg finds. However, you run the risk of salmonella exposure if you come across a bad egg, and a regular diet of raw eggs can cause biotin deficiency. (Biotin is a B complex vitamin that supports healthy digestion, metabolism, and skin and cell growth.) In other words, once in a while may be okay, but don’t make it a common practice.
- What about scrambled? You’d think scrambled eggs would be a safe bet, but this is another answer that has mixed results. It’s not the scrambled eggs itself that are the issue, it’s the cooking oils, butter or additives like salt and pepper that traditionally go with scrambled eggs. These cooking materials cause an upset stomach or allergic reaction for many dogs.
- Instead, try this: Try serving boiled or poached eggs plain as an additive to your dog’s usual food, as a snack, or mixed with a grain and vegetable. When you boil or poach an egg with plain water, it not only kills lingering germs, you aren’t risking upset stomachs with various cooking oils. Sprinkle over your dog’s food bowl for a healthy protein-filled meal.
- Looking for some easy and egg-cellent treats? There are many homemade options for healthy dogs treats if you want to create something a little extra special. Try these super simple avocado dog treats made with only three ingredients (oat flour, avocado, and eggs of course!) or celebrate your unconditional love with these darling pomegranate dog treats, shaped like hearts. You can also go more traditional, and fix your furry bud up with some egg puffs.
For More Information
Besides “Can Dogs Eat Eggs?” our Can My Dog Eat? directory page covers everything from grains, fruits, vegetables, and of course, poultry. We offer a selection of articles dedicated to foods that are healthy, so-so or possibly dangerous for dogs to eat.
We may never know the answer to “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” but check out this article on “Can Dogs Eat Chicken?” to see if your dog is able to eat eggs as well as the chicken.
