Can dogs eat eggs?
✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-06-17
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The full picture
Cooked eggs are a nutritious, complete protein source for dogs. Scrambled (no butter, milk, or salt), boiled, or poached all work. The whites contain an enzyme called avidin when raw that interferes with biotin absorption, but cooking destroys this. Cooking also kills any salmonella or campylobacter. Eggshells contain calcium, and some owners grind them into food for this reason — but only if you trust the source. Start with small amounts; some dogs have egg sensitivities.
Check individual ingredient safety at 247IngredientsCheck.
Risks to watch for
- Salmonella from raw eggs
- Biotin deficiency from repeated raw whites
- Allergic reaction in some dogs
Potential benefits
- Complete protein
- Vitamin A, B12, riboflavin
- Selenium
- Healthy fats
Safe portion size
Half an egg for small dogs, one full egg for large dogs, a few times per week.
Why cooked, not raw?
Raw eggs carry a small salmonella risk, and raw egg white specifically contains avidin, a protein that can interfere with biotin absorption if fed raw and regularly over time — cooking eliminates both concerns. A fully cooked egg (scrambled, boiled, or poached, with no added butter, salt, or seasoning) is a genuinely good source of protein for most dogs.
Does size or breed matter?
No specific breed sensitivity. Portion should scale with body size — a whole egg is a reasonable treat for a large dog but a much bigger relative portion for a small breed, so consider splitting an egg across a smaller dog's meals rather than giving it all at once.