Puppy parents are often looking for extra ways to provide a nutritional boost for their pups. It’s commonly known that eggs can be consumed by adult dogs, but what about puppies?
In this article, we will cover whether puppies can eat eggs cooked or raw, the potential benefits, and whether or not eggs are safe for puppies to consume on a daily basis.
Table of Contents
Can Puppies Eat Eggs Every Day?
Yes, puppies can eat eggs every day as long as you follow a few safety guidelines. Just like any other treat, eggs should always be offered in moderation and should not make up the majority of a puppy’s diet.
If you are offering your puppy a small serving of eggs in place of a treat, you can safely do this each day.
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily calories, so you can simply apply this rule to the portion of eggs that you offer each day.
If you have a desire to give your puppy cooked eggs each day, we suggest starting slow when you first introduce them to this snack. Start by offering a small serving of eggs one day, then monitor them in the days following for any GI upset.
- If your puppy does not have any complications from this new treat, you can consider making this a normal part of your routine.
Are Eggs Safe For Puppies To Eat?
Adult dogs are not the only ones that can enjoy this nutrient-packed treat.
In short, yes, puppies can safely consume cooked eggs that have no additional seasonings. While some safety guidelines should be followed when giving any human food to puppies, they can certainly enjoy a small serving of eggs without adverse effects.
Just like other healthy food items, there are always dangers when not following feeding recommendations. To help you keep your puppy safe, let’s discuss the general rules of egg consumption in puppies.
Can Puppies Eat Cooked Eggs?
Yes, puppies can eat cooked eggs as long as they are served free of any seasonings or fatty ingredients. Scrambled or boiled eggs are the safest options for a growing puppy, but other varieties of cooked eggs can work too.
When cooking eggs that both you and your pup will consume, there are a few things to keep in mind throughout the process. First, be sure that you are cooking without any seasonings, or simply add your own seasoning after separating the egg that your pup will consume.
You should also try your best to cook without any oils or butter when giving your puppy eggs, as this can lead to an upset stomach. A tiny amount of oil to grease your pan should be fine, but anything more can be risky.
As long as your method of cooking eggs is free of any of the ingredients we mentioned above, your puppy can safely eat cooked eggs.
Can Puppies Eat Raw Eggs?
Just like we are suggested to steer clear of raw eggs, our puppies should as well. Puppies do have the capability to combat some harmful bacteria that they come across, but eating raw eggs can be extremely risky.
Raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria that can cause a pup to become extremely ill. While the main concern of raw eggs is often Salmonella, eggs can begin to collect multiple forms of harmful bacteria when the egg begins to spoil.
Even if a raw egg does not contain dangerous bacteria, it is more challenging for a puppy to digest. In order to best avoid any complications, we always suggest cooking your eggs before giving them to your pup.
Are Eggs Good For Dogs & Puppies?
Pet owners are often warned about giving their dogs human food. But when it comes to healthy ingredients we wonder if our pups can benefit as we do…
As long as you offer eggs in a safe way, pups can receive the benefits of this tasty treat right along with us. Eggs are packed with nutritional ingredients that can support a dog’s wellness.
Eggs contain protein, iron, fatty acids, folate, selenium, and even Vitamin B12. And with so many beneficial vitamins and minerals, eggs can also provide incredible skin and coat support.
Not only are eggs safe for our canine friends to eat, but they’re considered a very nutritious addition to their diet when given in moderation.
Can Puppies Eat Eggshells?
Puppies can eat eggshells safely, but there is not much reason to offer this as a treat. Some believe that eggshells are a good source of calcium for a puppy, but this is not entirely true.
Eggshells do contain calcium, but not enough to be beneficial for a growing puppy.
Puppies can receive much more benefit from approved puppy kibbles, as well as fortified treats on the market.
Can Eggs Cause Dietary Insufficiencies In Puppies?
If you have been researching egg consumption in dogs, you may have stumbled across the potential threat of biotin deficiency from eggs. Some have feared that because egg whites contain a biotin inhibitor, that eggs may lead to a potential deficiency.
Thankfully for all egg-loving pups out there, this possibility is extremely unlikely. While egg whites may contain the biotin inhibitor, the egg yolk itself is packed with biotin. This means it would take a large number of eggs each day to lead to any possibility of complications from this issue.
If you are ever worried about this potential threat, you can always strain your dog’s eggs and only serve the yolk. Again, it should not be an issue unless your pup consumes an exorbitant amount of eggs each day.
Popular: Why Is My Dog’s Tongue Blue: 7 Causes & What To Do
What Is a Safe Serving Of Eggs For Puppies?
As we mentioned above, eggs should be considered a treat for a puppy, and not a staple in their diet. Puppies require nutrition from kibble that is tailored to fit their dietary needs, and eggs do not offer this.
Eggs should simply be a bonus to your dog’s food intake and should fit within the 10% range of calories from treats each day. To help you better understand a safe serving of eggs for your puppy, let’s discuss the calories.
Most eggs are about 80 calories each. Now that you know how many calories are in each egg, you can fit this into your puppy’s daily calorie intake.
You can easily determine your puppy’s recommended calorie intake by scanning the feeding label on their food package, as well as asking your veterinarian.
⭐ Serving Example:
If a puppy needs to eat 800 calories per day, they can safely consume 1 cooked egg as a treat. This should be their only treat for the day unless you make this into a smaller serving.
Can Eating Eggs Make a Puppy Sick?
Similar to any treat, a large serving of eggs can make a puppy sick. Eggs can be a healthy snack option, but they can cause complications if they are offered in excess.
Eating a large serving of eggs can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, gas, lack of appetite, and even abdominal pain. The safest option is to stick to the recommended 10% guideline.
Some dogs can simply be sensitive to eggs as well. This is why we always suggest testing out a small serving of eggs before you make this a routine, as this can make you aware of any diet sensitivities in your puppy.
Are There Alternatives To Eggs For Puppies?
If your puppy has a sensitivity to eggs, there are other healthy human food options that you can give as a treat. Some of the best snack alternatives include xylitol-free peanut butter, boiled chicken breast, carrots, peas, blueberries, green beans, and apples.
Some of these options may not contain the same protein benefits, but they should receive adequate protein from their standard puppy diet.
You can even sub applesauce for eggs in any homemade dog treat recipes if your dog has a true sensitivity!
Final Thoughts
Eggs can be a tasty treat for a puppy that deserves to be pampered! Be sure to review the information that we discussed above, and you can safely offer your puppy eggs in the future!