Egg-shell-ent Or Not: Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

• This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.

For many people, tucking into a plate of eggs is a tasty, nutritious, and filling way to start the day. While eggs are not a suitable breakfast for dogs, dogs can eat eggs without concern.

“Eggs are an excellent protein source,” says Gerald Pepin, a qualified dog nutritionist and founder of The Canine Nutritionist. They’re rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, according to Pepin—but not only that, they provide energy, build muscle, strengthen teeth and bones, and aid with joint and tissue repair.

Both the yolk and white parts of the egg are safe, so you don’t need to worry about separating them. That said, some ways of cooking eggs are healthier for dogs than others. And the amount of eggs a dog can eat, and how often they should eat them, also varies between breeds and dog size.

Crack on to learn more about feeding eggs to your pup.

How Many Eggs Can My Dog Eat as a Treat?

Dr. Emma Scales-Theobald, a canine nutritionist at Pooch & Mutt, shares how many eggs a dog can eat per day or week in the table below. “It’s always best to consult a veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of eggs to feed your dog if you’re unsure,” Dr. Scales-Theobald says.

Most dogs should only eat up to 1 to 2 eggs per day. However, your dog’s size can influence whether they eat more or less.

7 Benefits Of Eggs For Dogs

Eggs—along with some other foods typically eaten by humans, like fruits and vegetables—can boost canine well-being as part of their regular diet.

Here are some nutrients in eggs that can benefit your dog.

Potential Health Risks of Too Many Eggs

1. Yolk is high in fat

Although eggs offer plenty of rewards, they can also pose risks. For instance, the yolk is high in fat, Dr. Shepherd says, so dogs who are sensitive to dietary fat—like those with a history of pancreatitis—shouldn’t eat egg yolks.

2. Too much vitamin D

The yolk also has plenty of vitamin D, so you may want to avoid feeding yolks to dogs who have a history of calcium oxalate urinary stones or hypercalcemia (elevated calcium in the blood), Dr. Shepherd says. “This is because vitamin D positively influences dietary calcium absorption.”

3. Excess calories

According to Dr. Shepherd, eggs shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calories. She adds that too many calories can lead to obesity and health issues like heart disease.

“If you’re thinking of incorporating eggs into your dog’s diet regularly, you might need to reduce the amount of treats or food they get to ensure they don’t have too many calories a day,” adds Dr. Scales-Theobald.

4. Digestive upset

Symptoms of a digestive upset include diarrhea, vomiting, and gas, says Dr. Scales-Theobald. “Research has shown even two eggs at once can cause stomach upsets for a small dog and five can cause stomach upsets for a large breed dog.”

5. Nutritional deficiencies

Eating too many eggs can contribute to an imbalanced diet. Dr. Scales-Theobald says this can lead to weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, which may have long-term health consequences.

Ultimately, moderation is key. “Eggs should be fed as part of a balanced diet that meets your dog’s specific nutritional needs,” Dr. Scales-Theobald says.

6. Allergies

Dogs can be allergic or sensitive to foods, including eggs. Certain breeds, such as West Highland White Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels, are more likely to experience food allergies.

According to Dr. Scales-Theobald, common signs of an allergic reaction to eggs include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Wheezing
• Itchy skin
• Swelling

If your dog displays any signs of a reaction after eating eggs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Should Dogs Eat Cooked or Raw Eggs?

While raw eggs themselves aren’t technically toxic to dogs, they can contain bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella. These bacteria can cause food poisoning—in you and your dog. Raw eggs may also prevent your dog from absorbing biotin, an important ingredient for their skin and coat.

It’s best to serve your dog eggs that are:

• Boiled
• Scrambled without additional ingredients as dairy products can lead to an upset stomach
• Poached
• Baked without salt or seasoning

Pepin doesn’t recommend feeding a dog fried eggs. “Dogs need fat in their diet, but too much fat can be bad,” Pepin says. And when preparing eggs for your dog, avoid salt, along with garlic and onion, which are both toxic for canines.

How to avoid food poisoning with eggs

• Always cook eggs thoroughly
• Keep eggs cold to minimize the potential for bacteria
• Always wash your hands after handling eggs

For extra peace of mind, you can buy specially treated eggs or ones laid by chickens vaccinated against Salmonella. Egg cartons in the United States should state whether the eggs inside have been treated. In the United Kingdom, eggs from vaccinated chickens come with The British Lion mark.

That said, if you drop an egg and your dog gobbles up the mess before you can clean it, don’t panic. Just pay attention to signs of digestive upset, like vomiting or diarrhea.

Can Dogs Eat Eggshells, Too?

“Eggshells are an excellent source of calcium carbonate,” explains Pepin. But it’s unlikely your dog needs to eat eggshells as they can get plenty of calcium from their regular dog food diet.

There is no reason for dogs to eat eggshells since too much calcium can harm dogs and large shell pieces can pose a potential choking hazard. If feeding your dog eggshells, Pepin recommends preparing eggshells first by washing them, baking them in the oven, and grinding them into a powder.

Egg-ceptional Serving Suggestions

According to Dr. Scales-Theobald, you can cook your dog’s eggs with:

• Vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, kale or sweet potato
• Meat, such as chicken, turkey, or beef
• A small amount of low-fat cheese
• A little coconut oil to provide healthy fats and boost your dog’s skin and coat health

You can incorporate these in a batch of these mini egg puffs.