Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs? (Solved & Explained!)

Dogs really love eggs, to the point that if you have a ‘backyard chicken’ you probably have to watch out or your dog will steal those eggs! This begs the question, ‘Can dogs eat raw eggs?’, and this will be the subject of our article today.

Yes,  dogs can eat raw eggs. They contain some essential nutrients and proteins that dogs need in their diet, and they are also a great source of digestible fats. That being said, it is recommended to feed your dog cooked eggs as the risk of bacterial infection from salmonella or E. Coli is much lower when the egg has been properly cooked. 

When feeding your dog raw eggs, you should always make sure that the egg is fresh and from a reputable source. If your backyard chickens are not well-tended, then it’s best to avoid giving your pup those eggs altogether. Raw eggs can also be mixed into a homemade meal for your pooch or simply added to their regular meal for an extra boost of protein and healthy fats.

This is a subject of contention among some dog owners, so today we’ll put in our 2 cents worth and give you the facts that you need, starting off with commercial vs. small farmed eggs, symptoms of salmonella, and more – read on for important information about eggs and your dog!

Backyard eggs versus store-bought

Where the eggs come from can make a difference in the chances of salmonella occurring. Usually, ‘backyard’ eggs or small-farm eggs are going to be safer than the commercial, mass-produced variety, as they tend to produce eggs in cleaner environments.

That said, there is still a small risk that a chicken may become exposed to salmonella and lay the occasional egg that passes this along. As such, it’s really not a good idea to give your dog a raw egg, even if it comes from your own, immaculately-kept backyard chicken.

It’s just not worth it when you can spend 2-3 minutes cooking the egg to make it completely safe. Salmonella dies at temperatures of 163 degrees Fahrenheit/73 degrees Celsius, and your frying pan gets averages 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit on a Medium setting, so it’s better to just go ahead and cook the egg as a safety precaution.

Symptoms of Salmonella exposure in dogs

So, we’ve established that raw eggs are a salmonella risk, but how do you know if your dog has salmonella? Below are some symptoms which you can watch for that may indicate that salmonella poisoning in dogs:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea, especially with mucus or blood present

It is also important to note that the first week of the infection is the worst, but just because the diarrhea seems to stop after a week does not mean that it is gone. Salmonella can stick around for 3 to 6 weeks after that and in some cases, it will even stay longer. It’s best to make get your vet involved to make sure that it is dealt with quickly, as untreated salmonella can be lethal for dogs that are older, immunocompromised, or simply have poor gut health in their stomach.  

What should I do if my dog ate a raw egg?

If your dog has eaten a raw egg, they will probably be okay, but you aren’t going to know for about 72 hours. This is how long it takes for symptoms of salmonella infection to start showing symptoms. That means that you will have to keep a close eye on them for the next 3 days, but it’s better to bring them in to the vet for testing, especially if it’s an older dog or a puppy. Your vet can do some testing to make sure that your dog is not ill and if an infection is found, they should be able to treat it before the symptoms can manifest.

FAQ

Can I Give My Dog Raw Egg Shells?

Eggshells are a nice crunchy treat for your dog. You can serve it to them raw and uncooked, and it is a great source of calcium that will help your dogs teeth and bones to stay strong.

You can either give your dog the egg whole, breaking it a little. Or you can break up the eggshell and sprinkle it into your dogs food for an extra boost of calcium to their regular meal.

Will Raw Egg Help My Dogs Upset Stomach?

Raw eggs should be avoided if your dog has an upset stomach. If your dog has diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting or has lost its appetite, raw eggs will not help and can make the situation worse.

Cooked eggs, however, can be good for a good with a bad stomach. Cooked eggs have increased levels of biotin, which can assist in neutralizing acidic stomachs and rebalance stomach acids.

Cooked eggs can also help your dog to get its appetite back if mixed in with its regular food.

Can I Put Raw Eggs in My Dogs Regular Food?

You can mix the raw eggs into your dogs normal food, whether you serve them dry biscuits or wet dog food.

However, make sure that your dog eats all of the meal. Raw eggs spoil faster than canned or biscuit dog food and will begin to go bad if left out for hours, especially in hot weather.

You do not want your dog to eat spoiled raw eggs, this could lead to salmonella poisoning or expose your dog to harmful bacteria.

Can I Give Raw Eggs To My Puppy?

Raw eggs are perfectly safe to feed to puppies older than 4 weeks old. Before 4 weeks, puppies need their mothers milk more than other food sources, but after 4 weeks, puppies should be transitioned to soft foods and eggs are a great addition to their diet.

You can either serve them the inside of the egg, yolk and all, or you can give them the entire egg including the shell.

Eggshell is full of vital nutrients that will support your puppy’s growth. So long as their teeth are developed enough to chew it, you can give your puppy a whole raw egg once a week.

Are all cooked eggs okay?

Pretty much… at least as far as safety, though eggs really need to be given in moderation (more on that, shortly). As far as cooking them, boiling is best, with scrambling them in a little water with no salt or butter being ‘second place’, and fried eggs falling into the ‘unhealthy’ category, due to the presence of oils.

Even if you fry eggs in bacon grease, which ‘sounds good on paper’ since it’s meat, you have to factor in all of the fat and more importantly, the high salt content from doing this. So, ultimately the best way to summarize would be to say that ‘cooking eggs is the safest way to serve them to your dog’.

Are eggs a good protein source for dogs?

Yes, eggs are a good protein source and your dog can certainly have them if they like – but only in moderation. The problem isn’t the protein, but rather the high fat and calories in an egg.

To maintain their current weight, an active 10-pound dog eats about 350 calories in a day. A large egg has approximately 90 calories, which make it close to 1/3 of your dog’s recommend intake, and 2/3 of those calories come from fat in the eggs.

Your dog can certainly still have eggs, but you need to watch the portions.

As a general rule, large dogs can have 1 egg daily, while smaller dogs should stick to ¼. This lets you share your breakfast without giving too much fat or extra calories to your dog.

Consider the egg as a treat and it’s easier to remember – treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.

Stick to this rule and your dog can have their delicious treats and the moderation you’re observing with them will go a long way towards keeping dangerous doggie-obesity at bay!

In Conclusion

In conclusion, yes, dogs can safely eat eggs. But, like any other treat, it should be given in moderation and with consideration for your dog’s size and calorie needs. 

Eggs are a great source of protein – just make sure to feed them only cooked, unseasoned egg whites as the yolk contains more fat. Also consider feeding them hard boiled eggs over scrambled eggs, as the latter can contain butter or oil. 

Finally, always remember to not give more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake in treats and you should both be able to enjoy a tasty snack without putting their health at risk. Enjoy! 🙂 

Happy snacking!