Summary: When it comes to sharing food with your pup, and with eggs being a staple in many of our day-to-day meals, in this blog, we learn whether dogs can eat an egg and whether they have any health benefits for our pooches…
Can Dogs Eat Eggs?
Yes, dogs can eat eggs. Before dogs were domesticated, eggs from a bird’s nest would make a very tasty snack for wild doggos to munch on – shells and all!
As long as eggs are consumed in a safe manner, an evolved, domesticated dog can eat eggs. Eggs can provide a host of benefits to their health when included in moderation in their diet too.
Are Eggs Good For Dogs?
Yes; eggs have high levels of vitamins (like D, E, A, and B12), essential fatty acids like linoleic acid, iron, phosphorus, folate, selenium, riboflavin, and protein! All of these elements can benefit your dog’s overall health, and well-being, while boosting the appearance and quality of their skin and coat.
However, as with most foods, if your dog consumes too many eggs this can lead to unnecessary weight gain. So, be mindful of how many eggs you’re allowing your dog to have each day depending on their size, breed, and current weight. Ideally, a large dog shouldn’t be given more than 1 egg per day. If you’re after specific amounts for your dog, talk to your veterinarian.
Some dogs shouldn’t eat eggs, so if your dog has any pre-existing conditions, do check with your vet before inviting them to share some of your sunny-sides up…
Eggs shouldn’t replace your dog’s main meal, but they can make a great treat or small addition to their bowl of high-quality, protein-led dog food.
PetLab Co. Pro Tip: Remember, the more well-kept and healthier the chicken, the more nutritious the egg. And, in the interest of ethics and animal-kindness too, make sure to source your home’s eggs from a certified free-range farm.
Is Raw Egg Good For Dogs?
Technically yes, but it isn’t advised to feed a dog raw egg by most vets. Just as with humans, dogs too can contract salmonella from uncooked eggs which can lead to a feverish sickness and may require medical attention and treatment.
If the egg is off and uncooked, this could also welcome more unwanted bacteria into your dog’s body too.
If your dog frequently eats raw eggs, although very rare, this can lead to biotin deficiency eventually as well. Biotin is a vitamin that promotes healthy skin, and can also contribute significantly to digestion and cell regeneration. Egg whites contain avidin which is an enzyme that prevents the body from absorbing biotin.
Can Dogs Eat Boiled Eggs?
Dogs should really be given cooked egg, and these can be hard-boiled, scrambled, fried, or poached – just as long as the egg is cooked and unseasoned. So, that means refraining from adding salt and pepper, any other seasonings or spices, and not cooking them in fats (like butter) and oils. This usually means boiled eggs are the safest, easiest version of cooked eggs for most pet parents to give to their dog.
Can Dogs Eat Egg Shells?
With consent from your vet, yes. Egg shells are high in calcium and can be deemed nutritious for dogs. But, they are sharp which can hurt a dog’s mouth as they bite or swallow, or hurt their insides as the shell travels through their system. You can grind eggshells into a powder to reduce this risk though.
Simply heat your oven to 390°F and bake your egg shells for 15-20 minutes. Then, remove them from the oven and grind them with a pestle and mortar which will break the cooked shells down into a powder. You can then sprinkle some of the powder on their food as a food topper. Just keep any remaining in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
You should always take it slowly when introducing any new food to a dog to avoid upsetting their stomach – particularly with puppies. Introduce a small amount of cooked egg to your dog and monitor their response before considering continuing to feed low quantities of it to your dog on a more regular basis (general advice is no more than one egg a day for large dog breeds). As with humans, all dogs will react differently to different foods and it is possible for canines to have an allergy to eggs, so always be mindful of this when trying them on new foods, snacks, and treats regardless of whether they’re deemed safe. If you have any concerns over your dog’s health after they consume eggs, cooked or raw, contact your vet.
If you’re curious about what foods and beverages you absolutely shouldn’t give to your dog, check out our PetLab Co. guide below which lists all items that are known to be toxic to dogs so you know which foods to avoid allowing your dog to eat:
Sources
Author Arford, Kaitlyn “Can Dogs Eat Eggs?” American Kennel Club, Mar 08. 2021 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-eggs
Author Dr Miller, Andrew MRCVS “Can Dogs Eat Eggs?” Pure Pet Food https://www.purepetfood.com/help/can-dogs-eat-eggs
