Yellow: with caution
Raw is best avoided; cooked is fine. The ASPCA advises against raw eggs because they can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that harm animals and people.
Why raw eggs are marked yellow
Besides germs, the ASPCA mentions an enzyme in raw egg that can interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is more specific: avidin in raw egg white prevents biotin absorption, which can harm the skin and coat over time. Cooked eggs, however, provide protein, fat, iron, selenium and several vitamins. Yellow here means: only when prepared properly.
How to serve egg safely
- Cook thoroughly: Hard-boiled or scrambled are both fine according to the AKC.
- Keep it plain: No oil, butter, salt or seasoning.
- Leave out the shell: Its sharp edges can injure the throat and digestive tract.
- Wash your hands: People handling raw eggs can also become infected with Salmonella.
- Not every day: Eggs are high in calories and count towards the daily allowance.
What if your dog has eaten a raw egg?
A dropped egg is not an emergency. Monitor your dog over the next few days. According to the AKC, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unusual tiredness can be signs of Salmonella infection. If these occur, call your vet and explain what your dog has eaten.
If you suspect poisoning, take your dog to a vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Snacks count towards the daily food allowance. Our free food calculator works out how much your dog needs, and you can find a complete feeding plan with guidelines for treats in our book “Hundeernährung und Futterplan” (book in German). New to life with a puppy? Our free Puppy Starter Pack can help. And if you would love to see your dog on your living room wall, explore our dog portraits from your own photo, available as a framed portrait or digital file.
Further reading
- Calculating your dog’s food allowance: how much your dog really needs
- Puppy checklist: essentials and the first 3 days
- Adding rice and potatoes to dog food: how to account for extras
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, and Bones); American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Eggs?; American Kennel Club, People Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat (Eggs).
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