Are Eggs & Bacon OK for Dogs?

Eggs and bacon are OK for your dog to eat as an occasional treat. Eggs are a healthy choice for your pup; bacon isn't quite as healthy but it's safe in small amounts. Keep in mind that feeding any new food, especially in large amounts, can give your pup indigestion.

Eggs, when cooked, are generally considered a healthy treat for doggies. Most dogs love them, so giving your dogs eggs is a win-win. Eggs contain several nutrients that benefit your pup, like protein, folate, Vitamin A, selenium, zinc, calcium, and potassium. Eggs are healthiest when prepared for your pup with minimal added fat. Raw eggs may contain salmonella, a bacteria that could give your dog some serious temporary tummy trouble, so serving your pooch cooked eggs is your safest bet.

There's nothing about bacon that's truly unsafe for your dog. It's not named in the ASPCA's list of unsafe people foods, and bacon is an ingredient in a surfeit of dog treats and some dog foods. Some animal nutritionists would object to dogs eating human bacon that may contain nitrates and nitrites, preservatives used in smoked meats. The World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer doesn't list nitrates and nitrites as carcinogens, but if you're concerned about them for your dog, opt for an all-natural bacon that doesn't contain them.

Veterinarians warn against feeding your dog a high-fat diet. A high-fat diet can lead to pancreatitis and unhealthy weight gain. The ASPCA warns pet owners against feeding dogs bacon grease for these reasons. Because bacon is one of the fattiest meats out there, it's best to give it to your dog only occasionally. Eggs, meanwhile, are more balanced in protein and fat than bacon, unless you fry your eggs in lots of fat, which will stick to the egg and absorb into the white. To avoid feeding your pup too much fat, fry eggs in nonstick cookware with a light coating of cooking spray. Boiled and poached eggs are also good options for feeding cooked eggs to your dog.

One other bacon caveat is the high sodium content, which is one of the reasons dogs love it so much. Lots of sodium in a dog's diet can cause high blood pressure, just like in humans, or an electrolyte imbalance, which can be a very serious health problem. However, you would need to feed your dog excessive salt on a regular basis to cause ongoing health issues. If you want to feed your dog bacon, many grocery stores carry reduced-sodium options. Some will have reduced sodium and reduced fat, making it an even better choice for you and your pup.