Yes, dogs can eat eggs, as long as they are cooked. Plain boiled, poached or scrambled eggs with no oil, butter, salt or seasoning are a safe, protein-rich treat for most dogs. Raw eggs carry a risk of Salmonella, and eggs cooked with onion, garlic, cheese or lots of butter are not a good idea.
Eggs for dogs at a glance
| Form | Verdict | Why |
|---|
| Hard-boiled, plain | Safe | Easy to portion; no added fat |
| Scrambled or poached, no oil | Safe | Cook in a dry non-stick pan or water |
| Scrambled with butter, oil, cheese, milk | Skip | Added fat and lactose |
| Eggs cooked with onion, garlic or chives | Never | Allium vegetables can damage red blood cells |
| Raw egg | Skip | Salmonella risk; raw whites may reduce biotin absorption |
| Fried egg with salt and grease | Skip | Fat and sodium |
| Deviled eggs, egg salad | Skip | Mayonnaise, mustard, onion and salt |
| Eggshell | Optional, finely ground | Debated; check with your vet |
Egg portions by dog size
Treats and extras should stay around 10 percent of daily calories, a common veterinary rule of thumb. One large egg is about 70 calories according to USDA FoodData Central, which is already close to the treat allowance for a small dog.
| Dog weight | Egg portion (cooked, plain) |
|---|
| Under 10 lb (4.5 kg) | A quarter of an egg, once or twice a week |
| 10 to 25 lb (4.5 to 11 kg) | Half an egg, once or twice a week |
| 25 to 50 lb (11 to 23 kg) | Up to 1 egg, a few times a week |
| Over 50 lb (23 kg) | Up to 1 egg per day at most, fewer is better |
These are cautious guides, not prescriptions. Count the egg's calories as part of your dog's daily food and reduce the regular meal slightly. Our dog food calculator and dog calorie calculator can show how much room treats take up. If your dog is overweight, eggs add up quickly, so check our dog calories for weight loss guide.
Are eggs good for dogs?
Eggs provide protein, riboflavin, vitamin B12, selenium and fatty acids, and most dogs find them very tasty. They can be a useful topper to tempt picky eaters. Our guide to dog food toppers covers how much to add without unbalancing the diet. Eggs are a treat, not a substitute for complete and balanced dog food, and they should not make up the bulk of a meal.
Eggs are also one of the more common food allergens in dogs. If your dog has itching, ear problems or digestive upset after eggs, stop feeding them and talk to your vet. Dogs with pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach should avoid fatty extras.
Raw eggs: the risks
The FDA warns that raw and undercooked eggs can carry Salmonella, which can make dogs and people sick. Symptoms in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, fever and lethargy. Raw egg whites also contain avidin, a protein that can bind to biotin, a B vitamin. In practice a healthy dog eating the occasional raw egg is unlikely to develop a deficiency, but there is no real benefit to taking the risk. Cook eggs through. If you feed a raw diet, discuss egg safety and food-handling with your vet.
What about eggshells?
Some owners grind eggshell into powder as a calcium source. Veterinary nutritionists generally caution against adding calcium without calculating the diet, since too much calcium can be a problem, especially for large-breed puppies. Complete dog foods are already formulated for calcium. If you are curious, ask your vet before adding shell, and never feed sharp shell pieces.
How to cook eggs for dogs
- Hard-boil: simmer for about 10 minutes, cool under cold water and peel.
- Scramble or poach: use a dry non-stick pan or boiling water, with no oil, butter, milk, salt or seasoning.
- Cool completely before serving.
- Serve plain, chopped into a meal or as a standalone treat.
- Refrigerate leftovers and use them within a couple of days.
Avoid serving eggs mixed with bacon, sausage, cheese or onion, and do not share breakfast plates. Deviled eggs and egg salad usually include onion, mayonnaise and salt.
Can puppies eat eggs?
Plain cooked egg is generally fine for a healthy puppy in small amounts, such as a spoonful of mashed egg. Puppies need complete puppy food for growth, so eggs should be a tiny extra. Our How much should I feed my dog? guide helps plan daily portions.
Eggs for dogs with special diets
Dogs on prescription diets for kidney disease, pancreatitis or allergies usually should not receive eggs unless the vet agrees. The protein, phosphorus and fat in eggs matter in those conditions. If your dog is on a home-cooked diet, a veterinary nutritionist can tell you whether and how eggs fit into the recipe.
Older dogs often benefit from tasty, easily chewed foods, and a bit of scrambled egg can encourage appetite, but sudden loss of appetite in a senior dog should always be checked by a vet. Remember to count the egg as part of the day's food. A whole egg on top of a normal meal can be around a tenth of a medium dog's daily calories.
What if my dog ate raw eggs or an egg dish?
A raw egg or two is unlikely to cause lasting harm in most healthy dogs, but watch for vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy for a couple of days. If the eggs were mixed with onion, garlic or xylitol-sweetened foods, or your dog ate a large amount of fatty egg dishes, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
Related guides
Swap experiences with other owners on the PawTalk nutrition forum.
This guide is general education from the PawCalculator team, not veterinary advice. Sources: the American Kennel Club, the FDA and USDA FoodData Central. If your pet has eaten something harmful or seems unwell, contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.
