Dogs and Scrambled Eggs: Pros, Cons, and Risks

Written by Amber LaRock
Updated: October 10, 2023
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Scrambled eggs find their way onto breakfast plates around the globe. They’re both nutritious and delicious, which is why they have become a staple breakfast item in so many homes. With offering us the protein and vitamins needed to power through our day, you may wonder if your dog can benefit from the nutrients that scrambled eggs have to offer as well.

Whether you want to offer your dog a few bites of your scrambled eggs or they accidently consumed a serving, you may be searching for answers as to whether or not they are safe for your pup. So can dogs eat scrambled eggs, and what risks should you be aware of?

Let’s dive in!

Are Eggs Safe For Dogs To Eat?

Before we answer the question of if dogs can eat scrambled eggs, we should first determine whether or not eggs in themselves are safe for dogs to eat. Cooked eggs are not toxic or poisonous to dogs in any form, but there are a few safety guidelines you should always follow when serving them to your pup. To make sure you have all the tools needed to keep your egg-loving dog safe, let’s break down more of the details below.

Can Dogs Have Scrambled Eggs?

Yes, dogs can have scrambled eggs as long as they are not cooked with any seasonings, butter, or oil. Scrambled eggs should also only be offered in small amounts to our canine friends, as a large serving of scrambled eggs can lead to an upset stomach. As long as they are cooked plain and offered as a treat, your pup should be able to enjoy a few bites of scrambled eggs safely.

Do Scrambled Eggs Have Any Health Benefits For Dogs?

When prepared correctly, eggs can be a nutritious snack for our canine companions. When offered as a treat that only makes up 10% of their daily calories, eggs are believed to support both skin and coat health in our furry friends. Some of the beneficial nutrients found in eggs include:

  • Protein
  • Iron
  • Fatty acids
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin A
  • Selenium
  • Folate

While your dog should be getting all the nutrients they need from their diet each day, healthy treats can be a beneficial supplement to their daily food intake. As long as the scrambled eggs are cooked plain without any seasoning or oils, they serve as a healthy snack when offered in small servings.

If you are unsure if your dog is getting the nutrients they need from their diet each day, it may be time for a kibble upgrade. To make sure you are offering your pup the quality diet they deserve, you can check out our detailed guide on the best dog food options here.

scrambled eggs

Eggs contain tons of great nutrients for dogs, including protein, folate, selenium, and iron.

©iStock.com/ito:krblokhin

How Should You Prepare Scrambled Eggs For Dogs?

If you are going to give your dog a scrambled eggs treat, it’s important to make sure that you are not preparing the eggs with any ingredients that can be harmful to your dog. While items such as seasonings and butter may not be toxic to dogs, they certainly can lead to an upset stomach when given in excess. For these reasons, we only suggest giving your dog scrambled eggs if they are cooked plain and without any additives.

Another thing you should be careful about when giving your dog scrambled eggs is that there should not be any dangerous vegetables mixed within the eggs. For example, many people cook their eggs with diced onions and garlic, and both are highly toxic to our canine companions.

A dog that eats onion or garlic can develop life-threatening anemia, so this is just one of the many examples of why you should be careful about any mixers. If you do want to add any veggies into your dog’s scrambled eggs, just be sure they are safe for dogs.

How Often Can I Give My Dog Scrambled Eggs?

When it comes to how often dogs can eat scrambled eggs, this will really vary from dog to dog. Ideally, most dogs should only get a small serving of scrambled eggs a few times a week at most. However, if your dog seems to tolerate it well without any gastrointestinal upset, there is nothing wrong with offering them eggs more often. Just be sure that you are only offering them an amount that does not exceed 10% of their daily calorie intake, as offering more could lead to eventual weight gain.

Can Scrambled Eggs Make A Dog Sick?

Scrambled eggs may not be toxic to dogs, but they certainly can make a dog sick if they are prepared improperly or offered in excess. For example, a small serving of eggs that fits the daily 10% calorie rule is often just fine for a dog, but a full human serving of scrambled eggs would likely give some dogs an upset stomach. Eggs do contain healthy fats when they are cooked without butter and oil, but this can still cause diarrhea and vomiting in dogs when they eat too much.

Another way in which scrambled eggs can make a dog sick is if they are prepared in a way that is unsafe for dogs. This could mean eggs that are not fully cooked, are seasoned with spices, are cooked with oil or butter, or mixed with vegetables that are toxic to dogs. Anytime their serving of scrambled eggs is not following the safety guidelines we’ve discussed above, your dog could be at risk of getting sick.

scrambled eggs

Avoid feeding your dog scrambled eggs with any spices or vegetables mixed in.

©iStock.com/Manaswi Patil

Are Scrambled Eggs Good For An Upset Stomach In Dogs?

If your dog has ever had an upset stomach, you may have heard that substituting their standard diet with scrambled eggs can help their GI upset resolve. While scrambled eggs are safe for dogs to eat in small servings, we do think there are better protein options for dogs with an upset stomach. Most veterinary professionals will suggest offering your dog boiled chicken breast and white rice until their upset stomach resolves, or any other similar lean protein.

A small serving of scrambled eggs in addition to their boiled chicken and rice will likely be just fine as a treat, but using eggs as the main source of protein could lead to further GI upset in dogs. However, if you prefer to offer scrambled eggs over poultry for any reason, you can always give your vet a call and ask for their opinion.

My Dog Ate A Large Serving Of Scrambled Eggs – What Now?

Dogs are known to get into things they shouldn’t, so many pups have stolen a few servings of scrambled eggs off their owner’s plates when they weren’t looking. If you happen to catch your pup in the aftermath of their theft, you may wonder what you should do now. The answer to this question is, it depends.

If your dog only ate the serving of eggs you had for yourself on your plate, they will most likely be fine. As long as there were not any dangerous additives like onion or garlic, the worst they should experience is a minor case of GI upset for 12-24 hours. As long as their upset stomach resolves within 24 hours, they should make a full recovery. If your pup’s upset stomach lasts longer than 24 hours, we suggest giving your vet a call to see if they would like to assess them.

If your scrambled eggs were cooked with any onions, garlic, or any additives you think could be toxic, we always suggest giving your vet a call. You can then explain how much of the toxic ingredient your pup could have consumed, and they will determine the best plan of action moving forward.

Final Thoughts On Scrambled Eggs For Dogs

Scrambled eggs do have nutritional benefits to offer dogs, but you should still be mindful when you are preparing a serving for your canine companion. As long as you cook scrambled eggs without any additives or seasonings, your dog should have no issue with snacking on this delicious treat.

Bonus: Why Not Offer Boiled Eggs to Your Dog?

Two halfs of a hard-boiled egg, one with a double yolk, against a turquoise background

Hard-boiled, non-salted eggs are a perfect healthy snack for dogs.

©Evtushkova Olga/Shutterstock.com

You can boil a few eggs and keep them on hand in the refrigerator for a nutritious, healthy snack for your dog. Hard-boiled eggs without salt may be the perfect way to serve this highly nutritious treat. Eggs are an excellent source of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein – plus they are easy on the stomach unless your dog is allergic.

It may seem that raw eggs may be a great way to provide your dog with health benefits – by mixing them into food – but that is not the case. Raw eggs are no more nutritious than cooked eggs and there is a risk of salmonella infection that could cause vomiting and diarrhea. Just play it safe and boil eggs for your pup – they love it!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Sviatlana Barchan

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About the Author

Amber LaRock is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering topics surrounding pet health and behavior. Amber is a Licensed Veterinary Technician with 12 years of experience in the field, and she holds a degree in veterinary technology that she earned in 2015. A resident of Chiang Mai, Thailand, Amber enjoys volunteering with animal rescues, reading, and taking care of her two cats.

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