Quick Answers
Eggs are a healthy source of protein and nutrients for dogs. The amount of egg you can feed your dog depends on their size, age, activity level, and overall diet. As a general guide:
- Small dogs can eat up to 1 egg per week
- Medium dogs can eat up to 2 eggs per week
- Large dogs can eat up to 3 eggs per week
It’s best to start with small amounts of egg to avoid digestive upset. Scrambled or hard boiled eggs are safest. Raw eggs may contain bacteria such as salmonella. Avoid feeding too much egg white, which can lead to a biotin deficiency.
Are Eggs Good for Dogs?
In moderation, eggs are a healthy addition to most dogs’ diets. Here are some of the benefits:
- High in protein – Egg protein is easily digestible and contains essential amino acids.
- Good source of vitamins and minerals – Eggs provide vitamin A, B vitamins, selenium, iron, and calcium.
- Contain choline – An important nutrient for brain, liver, and eye health.
- Low calorie – Just 77 calories in a large egg.
- Appetizing food topper – Most dogs love the taste of eggs.
The protein and nutrient content does vary between egg whites and yolks. Egg yolks contain more calories, fat, cholesterol, vitamins, and minerals. Egg whites are almost pure protein.
How Much Egg Can I Feed My Dog?
When feeding your dog eggs, moderation is important to avoid potential downsides. Too much egg may lead to:
- Weight gain – Eggs are high in fat and calories if fed in excess.
- Biotin deficiency – Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin that can bind to biotin and prevent absorption.
- Flatulence – The sulfur content in eggs may cause gas.
- Allergic reaction – Dogs may have an allergy to eggs.
To balance the nutritional benefits with potential risks, here are some general guidelines for maximum egg intake based on your dog’s size:
| Dog size | Maximum eggs per week |
|---|---|
| Small breeds (Under 25 lbs) | 1 egg |
| Medium breeds (25-50 lbs) | 2 eggs |
| Large breeds (Over 50 lbs) | 3 eggs |
These are approximate weekly limits based on feeding your dog a balanced diet. You can divide the weekly egg servings into smaller portions given 2-3 times per week.
Factors to Consider
When deciding how much egg to feed your individual dog, take into account:
- Age – Puppies and senior dogs may need smaller, more frequent meals.
- Weight – Larger or overweight dogs require fewer eggs.
- Activity level – Active dogs have higher calorie needs.
- Diet – Dogs eating a high protein diet require less additional protein from eggs.
- Health conditions – Dogs with cholesterol issues or allergies may require egg limits.
Monitor your dog’s weight, energy levels, coat, skin, and waste to ensure the amount of egg fed is appropriate. Reduce egg intake if you observe any digestive upset, loose stool, or skin irritation.
How to Feed Eggs to Your Dog
For safety and digestibility, eggs should be cooked. Here are some tips for feeding eggs:
- Cook eggs fully – Scramble, hard boil, or fry eggs over-easy.
- Avoid raw eggs – Can contain salmonella and E. coli bacteria.
- Remove shells – Shells can be a choking hazard.
- Mix with food – Combine chopped eggs with your dog’s regular meals.
- Refrigerate leftovers – Use within 3 days to prevent spoilage.
Both the yolk and egg whites can be fed. But limit egg whites to less than half the total egg amount, as the avidin in whites can lead to biotin deficiency if over-fed.
For picky eaters, try topping their food with a cooked scrambled egg. The taste and smell can entice them to eat. Be patient introducing eggs, as some dogs take time adjusting to new foods.
Best Ways to Cook Eggs for Dogs
Here are some safe cooking methods to prepare eggs for your dog:
Scrambled
Crack 1-2 eggs in a bowl, mix, and scramble in a pan over medium heat with cooking spray or olive oil. Cook until firm. Allow to cool before feeding to your dog in bite-sized pieces or mixed with their meals.
Hard boiled
Place eggs in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil and cook for 6-8 minutes. Cool, peel, and slice the hard boiled egg before serving. Refrigerate up to one week.
Fried or over-easy
Crack egg into pan with hot cooking spray or olive oil. Cook until white is firm and yolk thickened but still runny. Alternatively, flip and fry briefly on both sides. Allow cooked egg to cool before feeding.
What Does the Research Say?
Scientific research provides further guidance on incorporating eggs into a dog’s diet. Here are some of the key findings:
- Eggs provide one of the highest quality sources of protein for dogs, supporting muscle growth and an optimal amino acid profile (1).
- Dogs show excellent digestibility and utilization of nutrients in cooked eggs. Digestibility is reduced in raw eggs (2).
- Egg protein given to puppies during early development can help stimulate their immune systems (3).
- The choline in eggs supports cognitive function and brain development in puppies (4).
- Fatty acids in egg yolks can improve coat quality, skin health, and joint health when given to dogs (5).
- In moderation, eggs have not been shown to negatively impact cholesterol or heart disease risk in dogs (6).
Based on the research, eggs make an excellent supplemental food as part of a balanced canine diet. Feed eggs in moderation, provide proper preparation and storage, and adjust quantities based on your dog’s needs.
Potential Concerns with Feeding Eggs
While eggs are a healthy dog food overall, there are some potential downsides to be aware of:
Food Allergies
Dogs can develop allergies to egg proteins. Symptoms may include:
- Itching, scratching, licking the paws or skin
- Gastrointestinal signs like vomiting or diarrhea
- Scooting on the floor
If you suspect an egg allergy, stop feeding eggs and consult your veterinarian. Extensive allergy testing may be recommended.
Salmonella or E.coli
Raw eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella or E. coli from poultry feces. Cook eggs thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria. Dogs with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of bacterial infection.
Avidin in Egg Whites
The protein avidin in egg whites can bind to the vitamin biotin, preventing its absorption. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include:
- Skin inflammation or lesions
- Hair loss
- Fatigue or muscle weakness
Avoid feeding too much raw egg white. Cooking help neutralize avidin, but moderation is still advised.
High Cholesterol
Eggs are high in cholesterol, with 186mg in an average large egg yolk. For healthy dogs, dietary cholesterol is not a major issue. But dogs with existing pancreatitis, heart disease, hypothyroidism, diabetes, or kidney disease may require restricted egg intake.
Conclusion
In summary, eggs are a healthy source of protein and nutrients for dogs. Raw eggs should always be cooked to prevent salmonella infection. Egg whites contain avidin that can lead to biotin deficiency. Limit egg intake for dogs with certain health conditions. For the average healthy dog, 1-3 eggs per week is a reasonable guideline, adjusted according to your dog’s size and individual needs. Monitor your dog while introducing eggs to watch for allergies or digestive upset.
With proper precautions, eggs make an excellent addition to most dogs’ diets. Their high protein content supports lean muscle mass, while the vitamins and fatty acids nourish skin, coat, brain function, and overall health. Just be sure to feed eggs in moderation as part of a varied, balanced diet tailored to your dog.
