Oh, deviled eggs… my favorite appetizer. Someone always seems to make them for any kind of gathering, whether it’s a birthday party, picnic, or holiday.
But while this simple yet delicious food is safe for humans (until they start fighting over them), what if your dog is eyeing your plate, waiting for his chance to snag a bite? Can dogs eat deviled eggs?
Short Answer: No, Dogs Should Not Eat Deviled Eggs
The short answer is no, you shouldn’t feed your dogs deviled eggs. While hard-boiled eggs are harmless and even healthy for dogs, deviled eggs are not.
The devil is in the details. Deviled eggs contain ingredients that can cause problems for your dog, such as:
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is high in fat and calories, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis is a serious condition that causes inflammation of the pancreas and can result in vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even death.
- Paprika: Paprika is a spice that’s often used to garnish deviled eggs and add color and flavor. However, paprika can irritate your dog’s stomach, nasal passages, or respiratory system. For dogs, it can cause excessive thirst or an upset stomach. In severe cases, it can also be toxic to your dog.
- Other seasonings: Deviled eggs may also contain other seasonings, such as mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, or relish. Some of these can be harmful for dogs as well. For example, garlic and onion can cause anemia in dogs by damaging their red blood cells. Salt can cause dehydration, high blood pressure, and kidney problems. Mustard can cause stomach upset and vomiting.
Deviled eggs are not a good treat for your dog because of what they are commonly made with, not because of the egg itself.
Fortunately for your pup’s taste buds, I’ve included a recipe for DIY dog-safe deviled eggs below.
My Dog Ate Some Deviled Eggs, Should I Worry?
As a general rule of thumb, if your dog accidentally eats some deviled eggs, you should monitor them for any signs of illness and contact your veterinarian if needed.
In all seriousness, if your dog ate a deviled egg or two, there isn’t usually a reason to worry. Keep an eye on them just in case, but it’s not a highly toxic substance like some other human foods are.
Now, if your dog got into an entire batch, that might be a different story. You should still keep an eye on them, but it would be a good idea to loop your vet in and see what they think.
Hard-Boiled Eggs Are Good for Dogs
While deviled eggs are not good for dogs, hard-boiled eggs are. Hard-boiled eggs are a great source of protein and vitamins for dogs. They can provide the following benefits:
- They are a great source of protein: Protein is essential for dogs’ growth, development, and maintenance of muscles, bones, skin, hair, nails, and organs. Eggs are one of the most complete sources of protein available. They contain all nine essential amino acids that dogs need to get from their diet.
- They contain vitamins and minerals: Eggs are rich in various vitamins and minerals that support dogs’ health. For example, eggs contain vitamin A, which is good for dogs’ vision and immune system. They also contain vitamin B12, which is important for dogs’ nervous system and red blood cell production. Eggs also contain iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, and more.
- They help improve joint health: Eggs contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which are natural substances that help maintain the health of dogs’ joints and cartilage. They can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of arthritis and other joint problems in dogs.
- They help with weight loss: Eggs are low in carbohydrates and high in protein and healthy fats. This means they can help dogs feel full longer and reduce their appetite. They can also boost dogs’ metabolism and help them burn more calories.
- They help with allergies: Some dogs may be allergic to certain proteins in their diet, such as chicken or beef. Eggs can be a good alternative protein source for these dogs because they have a low risk of causing allergic reactions. They can also help reduce inflammation and itching in dogs with skin allergies.
- They improve overall health: Eggs can improve dogs’ overall health by providing them with antioxidants that fight free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. They can also support dogs’ brain function and cognitive abilities by providing them with choline. Choline is a nutrient that helps produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory and learning.
The Best Way to Feed Hard-Boiled Eggs to Dogs
If you want to feed hard-boiled eggs to your dog, you should follow these tips:
- Peel the eggs: You should always peel the eggs before giving them to your dog. The eggshell can be sharp and cause damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, or digestive tract. It can also be a choking hazard for your dog.
- Cut the eggs into small pieces: You should cut the eggs into small pieces that are easy for your dog to chew and swallow. This can prevent your dog from gulping down the whole egg and choking on it.
- Feed them in moderation: You should only feed hard-boiled eggs to your dog in moderation. Too many eggs can cause diarrhea, gas, bloating, and other digestive problems. They can also increase your dog’s cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. A general rule of thumb is to feed one egg per day for small dogs, two for medium dogs, and three for large dogs.
- Avoid raw eggs: You should never feed raw eggs to your dog. Raw eggs can contain bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli that can cause infections in dogs. They can also contain an enzyme called avidin that can interfere with the absorption of biotin, a vitamin that is important for dogs’ skin and coat health.
Dog-Friendly Deviled Eggs Recipe
If you want to share some deviled eggs with your dog, you can make a dog-friendly version that does not contain any harmful ingredients. Here is a simple recipe that you can try:
- Ingredients:
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
- 1/4 cup of plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup of cooked chicken or tuna
- 1/4 cup of shredded cheese
- A pinch of parsley
- Directions:
- Peel the eggs and cut them in half.
- Scoop out the yolks and place them in a bowl.
- Mash the yolks with a fork and add the yogurt, chicken/tuna, cheese, and parsley. Mix well until smooth.
- Spoon the mixture back into the egg whites.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Enjoy with your dog!
Essentially, it’s the same thing as regular deviled eggs, but you replace the mustard and mayo with yogurt and add in a little meat and cheese. It’s still just as simple as it’s always been, and your dog will love it!
