Can dogs eat raw eggs?

23 September 20262 min read

Short answer

Yes, most dogs can eat raw eggs as an extra a few times a week. Feed the whole egg rather than just the whites, count it as part of the daily amount, and wash your hands after cracking them, as you would when cooking.

Eggs are one of the most common extras raw feeders add to the bowl. They keep well in the fridge, and most dogs are keen on them.

Whole eggs, not just the whites

Raw egg white contains a protein called avidin, which binds to biotin, one of the B vitamins, and stops the body absorbing it. The yolk is a good source of biotin, and the occasional whole raw egg isn’t considered a problem. The concern is with feeding lots of raw whites on their own, day after day, for a long time, so add the whole egg.

How many eggs?

Treat eggs as an extra rather than a main meal. For a medium-sized dog, one egg a few times a week is a common amount. Smaller dogs need less and bigger dogs can have a bit more. If you’d like to feed eggs every day, use smaller amounts.

An egg weighs about 50 to 60 g without the shell. Take that off the rest of the meal on egg days so the total stays about the same. Our guide to how much raw food to feed has daily amounts by weight.

What about the shell?

Some raw feeders crush the shell and add it, as a source of calcium. If your dog already gets raw meaty bones or a mince with bone in it, they’re getting calcium from the bone, so the shell is optional. If you do use it, crush it finely.

Eggs and hygiene

Raw eggs, like raw meat, can carry bacteria such as Salmonella, so the same kitchen habits apply. Keep eggs in the fridge and use them before the best-before date. Skip any with cracked or dirty shells. Wash your hands after cracking them, and wash the bowl after the meal.

How to serve them

Crack one straight over the usual meal and mix it through.
Whisk it with a little mince, which suits dogs who pick the egg out.
For a dog new to raw, wait until they’re settled on their main protein before adding eggs, so you’re changing one thing at a time.

Cooked eggs are fine for dogs too, as long as they’re plain, with no butter, oil or salt. Raw feeders tend to stick with raw to keep the diet uncooked.

Some dogs can’t have eggs. If your dog has a known food allergy or a medical condition, check with your vet first.

Other extras raw feeders add

Green tripe is the other popular topper, and it tends to win over fussy eaters. Rotating proteins through the week adds variety too. Our blends, such as Active Dog Mix and Wild Mix, combine several proteins in one box if you’d rather not mix your own.

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