You want what’s best for your puppy, so where better to start than their diet? So, at what age can puppies eat eggs, and can they eat raw, boiled, or scrambled eggs?
Puppies can eat eggs once they have transitioned to solid foods. Typically, this is at around 8 to 10 weeks of age. However, it’s essential your puppy is getting proper nutrition, so be mindful of how many eggs you’re feeding and how you’re cooking them. Boiled and scrambled eggs with no added fat/seasoning are best for puppies, whereas raw eggs should be avoided.
So what’s the best way to feed your new puppy eggs? How should you balance eggs and other treats or additions to their regular diet? If you’re interested in the answer to those questions and more, keep reading—I’ll discuss those topics in detail throughout the rest of the article!
Can Puppies Eat Raw Eggs?
Puppies should not eat raw eggs. Raw eggs contain salmonella, which can cause GI upset, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Puppies are especially at risk, as their developing body systems can be prone to infection or imbalance by introducing harmful bacteria, and persistent diarrhea can make puppies dangerously dehydrated very quickly.
Even if your puppy (or adult dog) consumes raw eggs without issue, studies show that dogs fed raw foods contaminated with salmonella can then shed salmonella in their stool, putting members of your household at risk of infection.
Can Puppies Eat Boiled Eggs?
This is probably the best way to feed eggs to your puppy! A boiled egg cooked without salt and the shell removed is an easy-to-digest, tasty, protein-filled treat.
It is important not to use seasonings when cooking eggs for your puppy because too much salt can harm them, resulting in dehydration over extended periods due to large water losses.
In addition, other spices commonly used in human foods can be harmful or even poisonous to dogs, like onions or garlic, so it’s essential to avoid them!
Can Puppies Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Yes! Like the boiled egg option, scrambled eggs are okay for puppies, provided they are unseasoned.
However, if you want to feed scrambled eggs to your puppy, they cannot be cooked with any added oil or butter, as the extra fat can also be harmful to your dog.
Large amounts of fat are difficult for your dog to digest, leading to discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Diarrhea can be especially harmful to puppies if persistent, as they can become dehydrated quickly.
In this case, it’s likely more straightforward for you to prepare a boiled egg instead, so that’s what I would suggest going with!
Benefits of Eggs for Puppies
Eggs provide an excellent source of protein for dogs and can be a fantastic treat! In addition, egg protein is considered a “novel” protein.
Dogs do not normally encounter egg protein in their diets, so it is an appropriate protein substitute for dogs who have food sensitivities or allergies.
If you have a food-sensitive or allergic puppy, feeding egg protein as the staple protein in their diet is a great option!
In addition, there are a variety of commercially prepared foods using egg protein as a protein source, so you could combine these foods with treats of cooked eggs at home!
Eggs are also fun to eat and easy to chew, making them an excellent treat for growing puppies who may have difficulty eating large, hard kibbles or dog chews.
Boiled eggs are perfect for this, providing an enriching and fun feeding experience!
Drawbacks of Eggs for Puppies
Eggs can be harmful to puppies if they are seasoned, cooked in fats like butter and oil, or fed too often.
Extra fats can lead to GI upset, and weight gain and seasoning can negatively affect your dog’s health and hydration.
Additionally, feeding eggs too often can lead to weight gain or nutritional imbalance in your puppy’s diet. Ideally, you want to feed eggs as a treat, with a nutritionally complete puppy food making up 90% of your puppy’s diet.
What’s Best For a Puppy: Raw, Boiled, or Scrambled Eggs?
Boiled eggs are best for a puppy because they can be perfectly cooked without the addition of extra fats or seasonings, and are likely easier for you to manage to prepare and portion.
Puppies should not eat raw eggs due to the risk of salmonella.
Can a Puppy Have an Egg Every Day?
Depending on the size of your dog, sure, but no more than one egg a day. Remember that eggs should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily calorie intake.
However, while an egg per day may be a fine amount for a larger puppy, the same portion may be much too large for a very small puppy.
When you’re looking at adding dietary supplements and treats, be sure to speak to your veterinarian to formulate an appropriate nutrition plan.
Once you understand the calorie requirements for your growing dog, you can find the correct amount of eggs to feed!
Related Post: Can Dogs Eat Scrambled Eggs Every Day?(Yes, But …)
How Many Eggs Can a Puppy Eat Per Week?
Cooked eggs are safe and healthy for dogs, so it’s perfectly fine for your puppy to eat eggs every day.
However, how much they can eat depends on their size and nutritional needs, as you don’t want to overfeed your puppy or cause a nutritional imbalance in your growing dog.
As above, remember to always consult with your veterinarian when adjusting your puppy’s diet!
Then, when you know how many calories your dog should eat per day, you can adjust the amount of puppy food and eggs you feed.
Remember that eggs should make up no more than 10% of your puppy’s daily calorie intake.
How to Cook Eggs for a Puppy?
Eggs should always be cooked when being fed to puppies. You must cook the eggs fully without the use of fats like oil or butter.
Eggs must also be cooked without seasonings, as these can be harmful to your puppy.
Conclusion
As a dog owner, I’m sure you know that puppies require specific nutrition to grow into healthy adults, so you want to be careful with the treats and supplements you’re feeding.
Eggs are an excellent option for a treat or supplement to your puppy’s diet!
However, it’s important to remember that eggs must always be cooked without seasoning or fat and that you should never feed raw eggs to a puppy.
My name is Katie, and I have had different pets at home for as long as I can remember. While I can definitely say I love all animals in general, my heart belongs to cats and dogs. I know you are supposed to choose one or the other, but I could never really decide. I’ve also owned hamsters and fish when I was a kid, and they filled my childhood with very delightful memories.
