Can dogs eat eggs: There’s one way dogs can’t eat this breakfast favourite food

Whether it’s boiled, poached or scrambled, eggs are a brekky favourite for many.

On top of being tasty, eggs are packed with the protein you need to start your day.

But when it comes to dogs, there’s one way they can’t eat eggs.

With Easter just around the corner, what better time to clear up how you can prepare eggs so they’re safe for your pup to eat?

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To set the record straight, 9Honey has asked Dr Jacob Wale, Veterinary Director at Greencross Vets for everything dog owners need to know on the do’s and don’ts of eggs.

Can dogs eat eggs raw?

The one way dogs can’t eat eggs is served raw.

According to Dr Wale, eating raw eggs “can carry significant risk” to dogs.

“Like the reason we cook our eggs, they can carry pathological bacteria such as campylobacter and salmonella. Both play a role in food poisoning,” he explains.

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Are cooked eggs okay for dogs?

While raw egg is a no-no, cooked eggs are safest for dogs to eat.

Dr Wale explains cooking the egg kills the bacteria that can be harmful to pups. 

But when it comes to serving up eggs for your dog to eat, the vet says the ”cooking process is less important rather it is the additional condiments that cause the problem.”

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He explains things like oils, butter, salts, pepper and herbs can be “toxic” additions. 

Instead, he suggests boiling eggs as an easy way to avoid cooking with oil.

How much egg is OK for dogs to eat?

Now we know how to prepare eggs so they’re safe for dogs, what’s the daily amount they can have in their diet?

While Dr Wale acknowledges the exact amount differs between dogs, the general rule is an egg a day at most.

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He recommends “a complete and balanced kibble diet and an occasional egg as a treat.”

“Eggs can be given but shouldn’t make up a large portion of the diet, as nutrients are difficult to balance,” the vet explains.

Can dogs eat egg shells?

If you’re eating a boiled egg for brekky or cracking open an egg to cook it in a pan, we tend to avoid getting any of the shell in our meal.

While we tend to discard the shell, Dr Wale explains the health reasons he would avoid feeding them to your dog.

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“The shells carry the same risks as the eggs, regarding bacteria, but also carry the risk of high levels of calcium and can cause trauma to the mouth and throat,” he says.

“The high levels of calcium can cause a syndrome called ‘Hypercalcaemia’ which can be life threatening.”

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