Can Dogs Eat Eggs?

Yes, dogs can eat eggs, as long as they are fully cooked and plain. The AKC says most vets recommend cooking eggs before sharing them. Raw eggs can carry salmonella germs and can get in the way of a vitamin your dog needs. Skip the butter, salt, and spices.

How should I serve eggs to my dog?

Cook the egg all the way through and serve it plain. Boiled and scrambled both work if you use no oil, butter, salt, or seasonings. The AKC lists these as things to leave out.

Eggs are rich in calories. The AKC suggests them as an occasional food, not an everyday one, because they can add extra weight. Treats should be no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

Don’t feed the shell. The AKC says it can have sharp edges that hurt your dog’s throat or insides.

Can dogs eat raw eggs?

It is better not to. The AKC says most vets recommend cooking eggs fully. There are two reasons.

• Salmonella. Raw eggs can carry these germs. The AKC says they can make dogs sick with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and tiredness. People handling raw eggs can get exposed too.
• A missing vitamin. Raw egg whites contain avidin. The Merck Veterinary Manual says avidin binds biotin, a vitamin, so the body can’t absorb it. The ASPCA says this can lead to skin and coat problems.

The AKC calls the biotin problem rare. Cooking the egg removes the concern, and egg yolks are a good source of biotin, according to Merck. If your dog ate one raw egg, it is not likely to be a big problem. Watch for upset stomach and call your vet if you are worried.

Other kinds of egg dishes

The vet sources we read don’t cover these exact dishes. The answers below come from what the ASPCA says about the ingredients they can contain. Check the ingredients of what you have.

Can dogs eat deviled eggs?

It is best to skip them. The yolk is mixed with extras like mayonnaise, mustard, and salt. Fatty and salty foods can upset a dog’s stomach. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause extra thirst and peeing, and fatty foods can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis (a painful swelling of the pancreas). A plain boiled egg is a better choice.

Can dogs eat egg salad?

Not usually. Egg salad is often made with mayonnaise, salt, and sometimes onion or chives. The ASPCA warns that onion, garlic, and chives can damage red blood cells and upset the stomach. If your dog ate some, check the label or recipe for onion, and call your vet if it had any.

Can dogs eat egg custard and custard tarts?

No, they are not a good treat. Custard is made with milk and sugar. The ASPCA says dogs do not have much lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so dairy can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach. Tarts add pastry and more sugar. Some baked goods also have xylitol, a sweetener that the ASPCA says can drop blood sugar and harm the liver. Check labels, and call a hotline if xylitol is listed.

Can dogs eat egg rolls?

It is best not to. Egg rolls are fried, and the filling or dipping sauce may have onion, garlic, or a lot of salt. The ASPCA says onion and garlic can harm a dog’s red blood cells. Check the ingredients, call your vet if there was onion or garlic, and don’t make egg rolls a treat.

Can dogs eat chorizo and eggs?

Give your dog the egg, not the chorizo. Chorizo is a fatty, salty sausage that is usually spiced, often with garlic. The ASPCA says fatty foods can lead to pancreatitis and that garlic can harm red blood cells. Plain cooked egg that was not cooked in the chorizo grease is the safer part of the plate.

When should I call the vet?

Call your vet if your dog:

• Throws up or has diarrhea after eating eggs or an egg dish
• Gets itchy, has hives, or has swelling after eating egg
• Ate a dish that had onion, garlic, chives, or xylitol

Tell the vet what your dog ate and about how much.

Other safe snacks to try

Many dogs like small pieces of plain apple (no core or seeds) or banana. See our guides to apples and bananas. For the full list of foods to avoid, read foods that are toxic to dogs.