Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

Written by: Milica Brzakovic
Are eggs equally healthy for your dog as they are for you? Could you share some with your dog or should you keep them to yourself? This article will give you an answer.

Eggs are something many of us enjoy and consider to be a big part of our diet. A healthy part for that matter!

However, you’re aware that not everything that’s healthy for you is necessarily healthy for your dog.

So, what do you do when your dogs is looking at you while you’re eating eggs and would like to try some?

Dogs love to eat, that’s a fact. Sometimes to the point where they’ll eat anything they come across and that’s bad for them. Therefore, it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to know what you can and can’t give your dog and prevent any possible side-effects.

As always, we’re here to help you figure out what’s safe and what not so much. On today’s agenda are eggs and we’ll answer the following question:

Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

Yes, eggs are perfectly fine for dogs to eat. Not only that – they are beneficial too! From an evolutionary point of view, dogs used to eat eggs from bird nests before they became domesticated animals, while they were still roaming free. Sure, dogs don’t have all the same habits today, but it still explains the fact that eggs are safe for dogs to consume.

However, there are still some things you need to think about when giving eggs to your dog. We’ll take a look at them later in the text, but first, let’s discover why eggs are so healthy.

Why Are Eggs Beneficial To Dogs?

As you know, eggs are very healthy due to many reasons. They’re rich in protein, vitamin D and calcium – to name a few. Protein helps building muscle, strengthen the hair and repair tissue. Besides, eggs are a great source of:

  • Amino acids
  • Minerals
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B12
  • Iron
  • Riboflavin
  • Selenium

Eggs are also among the cheapest quality food – always a plus, right? To sum it up – because of all the reasons mentioned above, eggs represent a great source of easily digestible protein that can fit in easily in a dog’s diet.

Can Eggs Have Side Effects?

Even though eggs are very healthy and beneficial, they can still lead to some side effects. This is especially the case if you’re not feeding your dog eggs in moderation.

First of all, it could lead to weight gain, considering the fact that eggs are very rich in fat. The fat is essentially found in egg yolk. Second, your dog might be passing gas after eating eggs. Of course, this isn’t something dangerous, but it’s good to know that it can happen and that eggs are responsible for it.

Finally, eggs contain enzyme inhibitors, mostly in egg whites, which may affect the digestion if not given in moderation. So, don’t overdo it and everything will be fine!

How Do I Serve Eggs To My Dog?

Scrambled eggs, eggs Benedict, cooked eggs – how do you prefer your eggs? But more importantly (at least in this text) – in what form should you serve eggs to your dog?

The most popular way is to hard-boil the eggs, as it’s the easiest and requires less time than, for example, scrambling eggs. Whatever way you choose, it’s fine – your dog will most likely enjoy them in any form. The only form you should avoid is fried eggs, as anything else that’s fried for that matter.

Another popular option is to combine some eggs with dog food. Check out the video below for inspiration.

But what about raw eggs?

Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?

Eating raw eggs is quite controversial, which is why we decided to clarify it a bit. First of all, note that dogs with cancer, infections or other health conditions shouldn’t be eating raw eggs. As their immune system is weaker, they won’t be able to handle raw eggs the same way as a healthy dog. But what about healthy dogs?

You’ve maybe heard that dogs who eat raw eggs have limited cell growth, store fat more or have a decreased transformation of carbon dioxide? This is false and the truth is that dogs indeed can eat raw eggs! The benefits are just the same as with prepared eggs.

Namely, the risk of E-Coli and Salmonella is much lower with dogs than what it is with us humans. They can handle raw food much better than we can and don’t run the same risk of getting these two diseases.

In addition, you’ve maybe heard that raw eggs are dangerous because of a protein called avidin? This protein can affect the dog’s body negatively and cause biotin deficiency. However, you don’t have to worry about this as it would take huge amounts of raw egg whites for this to happen!

If you’re still not convinced and concerned, simply don’t feed your dog raw eggs, as the benefits are the same. Ultimately, it’s up to you, but we wanted to let you know that raw eggs are fine for dogs to eat as well!

Can Dogs Eat Eggshells?

So, dogs can eat eggs in any form – now we know. But, what about the eggshells?

Believe it or not – eggshells are actually beneficial and dogs can in fact eat them! They are rich in calcium, protein and they can contribute to stronger bone and teeth. This has been scientifically proven!

Actually, eggshells and raw bones have similar benefits, so if one doesn’t work for your dog try the other one! By crushing the shell and mixing it with some dog food you’ll make sure that your dog gets these desirable benefits.

Can Dogs Get Salmonella From Eggshells?

The risk of salmonella is always present, even though it’s minimal with dogs. However, if you want to be on the safe side you can always cook the shells before giving them to your dog. By doing so, you will kill any potential harmful bacteria and still keep the desirable benefits.

Finally, remember to crush the eggshells as this will minimize the risk of choking or digestion problems. Additionally, they are much easier to preserve in the fridge in bigger amounts and will last longer that way.

Can Dogs Have Scrambled Eggs?

Scrambled eggs are perfectly fine for dogs to eat, but there are a couple of things you should know before serving them. First of all, dogs don’t tolerate spices, not even salt, and frying scrambled eggs too much might make this dish too hard for your dog’s stomach. Therefore, scrambled eggs are safe and beneficial to share with your dog if they are plain and made with little to no oil.

Conclusion

Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs to eat in any form – cooked, scrambled or raw. They’re very beneficial as well, as they’re a great source of protein, vitamins and calcium – just to name a few. Eggshells are also great for dogs, which may come as a surprise to many!

Eggs are a great supplement to regular dog food and can be mixed with it, or served on the side, from time to time. However, as with all food, it should be served in moderation and shouldn’t make up for a quality dog food.

The bottom line is – keep it in normal amounts and you’ll have another thing to add to your dog’s balanced diet!