- 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.
| Breed size | Max. eggs per day | Max. eggs per week |
| Toy (up to 6 kg) | ¼ | ½-1 |
| Small (6 kg-10 kg) | ½ | 1 |
| Medium (11 kg-25 kg) | 1 | 1-2 |
| Large (26 kg-45 kg) | 1 | 2-3 |
| Giant (over 45 kg) | 2 | 3 |
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.
| Nutrient | Benefit for dogs |
| Essential amino acids | Play a vital role in growth, development, and strength. Egg whites are a good source of essential amino acids, according to Dr. Megan Shepherd, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and founder of Veterinary Clinical Nutrition. |
| Vitamin A | Vitamin A supports many important functions, including immunity, bone health, vision, and reproduction |
| B vitamins, including biotin, B12, and folate | B vitamins in various forms aid with nervous system function, red blood cell production, immunity, healthy fur and skin, and more. |
| Vitamin D | This “sunshine vitamin” supports bone and heart health. The yolk of the egg provides vitamin D, according to Dr. Shepherd. |
| Iron | Iron is essential for energy production, as well as transporting and storing oxygen in the body |
| Selenium | Selenium aids the function of the thyroid gland, which produces hormones that control metabolism. This mineral also acts as an antioxidant. |
| Fatty acids | Some of the most well-known fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They can help maintain immunity and heart health, reduce inflammation (which is linked to multiple health concerns), and support skin health. The yolk of the egg provides these nutrients. |
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 number of treats or amount of 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 diarrhoea, 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:
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 minimise 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. 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 diarrhoea.
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.
