Can Dogs Eat Raw Eggs?
Better not. Raw eggs can carry Salmonella, and raw egg white contains avidin, which blocks biotin. Cooked (boiled or scrambled, with no salt or oil), eggs are an excellent protein for dogs.
Why it's dangerous
The main risk is Salmonella, which can be on the shell or inside the egg. A dog can get diarrhea, vomiting or fever, but many carry it without symptoms and shed it in their stool, which is a risk for the family, especially children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. That's why veterinary organizations like WSAVA and the AVMA warn about the risks of feeding dogs raw animal protein.
The second problem is avidin in raw egg white, a protein that binds to biotin (vitamin B7) and prevents it from being absorbed. A single raw egg won't cause a deficiency, because the yolk contains biotin, but giving raw egg whites often for weeks can cause dry skin, dandruff and hair loss. When you cook the egg, heat inactivates the avidin and kills Salmonella, and the egg keeps its protein, choline and vitamins. There's no proven benefit to feeding it raw.
Is any amount safe?
None raw. Cooked: small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb), half an egg 2-3 times a week; medium (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb), one egg 3-4 times a week; large (over 25 kg / 55 lb), one or two eggs, 3-4 times a week.
Risks
- Salmonella: diarrhea in the dog and spread to the family
- Avidin: biotin deficiency if raw egg whites are given often
- Cracked, dirty or expired eggs: more contamination
- Raw dough and desserts with raw egg and sugar
Frequently asked questions
Is a raw egg good for a dog's coat?
It doesn't need to be raw. Eggs provide protein, fatty acids and biotin that support skin and coat, and all of that remains after cooking. Raw, on the other hand, adds the risk of Salmonella, and the avidin in the white blocks biotin. For a healthy coat, cooked eggs and oily fish.
Can a dog eat raw egg yolk?
The yolk doesn't contain avidin, so it won't cause a biotin deficiency, but it can carry Salmonella, just like the white. If you want to mix it into their food, boil it for a few minutes or scramble it with no oil or salt: your dog gets the same benefit without the risk.
Can dogs eat eggshells?
Yes, and they're a good source of calcium in homemade food, as long as they're properly prepared: washed, baked for 10 minutes at 150 °C / 300 °F and ground to a powder. That reduces surface contamination and leaves no sharp pieces. Follow the recipe's amount, because too much calcium is also a problem, especially in puppies.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.