Can Dogs Eat Deviled Eggs? Are They Safe?

Introduction

Deviled eggs are delicious and nutritious, which is why they are a staple on many people’s family dinner tables, especially at celebrations such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. But can dogs eat deviled eggs?

We’re answering this question and many more that might have crossed your mind before about deviled eggs and dogs. 

Are Deviled Eggs Good for Dogs?

No. 

While boiled eggs are usually a great snack for dogs, especially if you do not tend to overdo it, deviled eggs are not safe for dogs to eat. 

They are very nutritious since they contain the fat in the egg itself and the fat in the mayonnaise. 

However, they can put a dog’s health at significant risk to the point that you might end up with your pet at the emergency vet clinic in the middle of the night. 

Eggs do contain their fair share of vitamins, minerals, as well as high-quality protein, so if your dog is an egg aficionado, you can definitely use them as an occasional treat. 

Deviled eggs are not recommended for this species, though. 

Are Deviled Eggs Bad for Dogs?

Yes! Here are a few reasons why deviled eggs are among the worst types of food you can give your pet.

Digestive distress

This is perhaps the mildest symptom that dogs can experience after eating deviled eggs. Because of the fat in the mayonnaise and also because some people add other ingredients to the sauce in the middle of the egg, such as paprika or other seasonings, dogs can begin to vomit a couple of hours after having ingested this food. 

They can also experience tummy aches as well as diarrhea, so in this case, deviled eggs are a recipe for a disaster. 

Pancreatitis

Some dogs are more sensitive than others and might have undiagnosed health issues. Of all, pancreatitis is perhaps the most dangerous one as a failing pancreas is simply not compatible with being alive — both in pets and humans. 

Pancreatitis can be caused by exposure to toxic substances such as alcohol, but it can also be caused by excess fat in the dog’s diet. Naturally, an animal might not develop pancreatitis just because they have had one single deviled egg.

But if they already have a pancreas pathology and they also eat one, they can develop acute pancreatitis. 

Dangerous for puppies and senior dogs

These two categories, alongside pregnant dogs, are among the most sensitive of all. They are not equipped with the same immune system that healthy adult dogs have, which is why they can quickly develop health issues after having eaten deviled eggs. 

You do have to consider that the way the eggs are prepared as well as whether you made homemade mayonnaise or you got it from the store can also put your dog’s health at risk. For example, homemade mayo almost always calls for a raw egg, which is simply unsafe microbiologically. 

The last thing you want is to give your dog food poisoning. 

Avidin

Avidin can be found in regular hard-boiled eggs and deviled eggs, too, but it is a compound that effectively makes it harder for dogs to absorb the vitamin B complex from the rest of the food they eat. 

It might not be as risky as some of the other factors that we have already described, but it is still a reason to steer clear of deviled eggs when it comes to your pet’s nutrition. 

How Many Deviled Eggs Can My Dog Eat?

The best answer to this question is “As few of them as possible.”

If you really have nothing else available, perhaps giving one deviled egg to your dog might not cause a problem, but this is not a human food that this species is supposed to have on a regular basis.

You should also instruct your family members and friends that come visit with you that they should never give deviled eggs to your dog. As much as your pet might whine and complain that you are not giving them any table scraps, do put their health first.

How to Prepare and Serve Deviled Eggs to Your Dog

If your dog absolutely adores deviled eggs and there’s no way of going around things, you can make slightly different recipes. 

First of all, do not add any sauces or seasonings to the boiled eggs, and try not to use mayonnaise. If your dog loves deviled eggs specifically for this ingredient, they might learn to love them less if you take it out of the recipe.

What you can add instead of mayo would be small cuts of meat, such as chicken breast, or pate you’ve prepared at home from chicken liver, for example. This is a far better option compared to mayonnaise. 

Another option would be to use tuna or salmon pate, but if you use the store-bought version of any of these products, try to have a look at the list of the ingredients stated on the label. You might be surprised that most varieties contain heaps of ingredients you cannot even pronounce, and they are obviously always risky to add to your dog’s diet. 

Summary

So, can dogs eat deviled eggs? No. 

Boiled eggs are usually safe for dogs and cats, too, but deviled eggs are not. They have mayo, paprika, and sometimes even small bits of onion, which can cause serious health issues in pets. 

On top of that, they contain too much fat and cholesterol and can put a senior dog’s life in danger, especially if they were recently diagnosed with a pancreas health problem. 

Sources

1. Management of acute pancreatitis in dogs: a critical appraisal with focus on feeding and analgesia, C. Mansfield, T. Beths, 2015 
2. Foodborne pathogens, Thomas Bintsis, 2017