Why do vegans not eat eggs or milk? Understanding the motivations.

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2016 Vegan Society report, the number of vegans quadrupled in the UK over a decade, with many adherents adopting a diet based on ethical principles that explain why do vegans not eat eggs or milk? This decision stems from a core belief in avoiding all forms of animal exploitation, even for products not considered 'meat'.

Quick Summary

This article explores the ethical objections, environmental concerns, and health considerations that motivate vegans to abstain from eggs and milk, rooted in a philosophy that opposes animal exploitation.

Key Points

Ethical Stand: Vegans reject eggs and milk due to a core philosophy opposing animal exploitation, viewing the industries as inherently cruel.
Dairy Cruelty: The dairy industry involves forced impregnation, the separation of mothers and calves, and the eventual slaughter of 'spent' cows.
Egg Industry Practices: The egg industry systematically culls male chicks and confines hens in conditions that cause distress and suffering.
Environmental Impact: Production of eggs and dairy products requires vast resources and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
Health Benefits: Avoiding eggs and milk can lead to a diet lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
Alternatives Exist: A wide array of plant-based milks (soy, oat, almond) and egg replacers (tofu, flaxseed, powders) are readily available to replace these animal products.

The Ethical Foundation: Opposing Exploitation

At its core, veganism is a philosophy that seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. For many, this ethical stance is the primary reason for abstaining from eggs and milk, viewing these products not as benign byproducts but as inherently linked to animal suffering and commodification. This perspective acknowledges that modern industrial farming practices treat animals as resources rather than sentient beings with a right to life and freedom.

The Realities of the Dairy Industry

Vegans avoid dairy products due to the inherent exploitation of cows in the industry. To produce milk, cows are repeatedly and artificially inseminated. Their calves are typically separated from them shortly after birth, causing distress to both. Male calves are often used for veal, while female calves may enter the dairy cycle themselves. Dairy cows are usually slaughtered after about 5 to 6 years when their milk production declines, significantly less than their natural lifespan.

The Exploitation in the Egg Industry

Egg production also involves practices that vegans find ethically unacceptable. Male chicks, unable to lay eggs and not used for meat, are killed shortly after hatching. Laying hens are often kept in crowded conditions that prevent natural behaviors and can lead to stress and injury. Beak trimming, a painful procedure, is common to prevent pecking in close confinement. Hens are slaughtered around 18 months old when their egg-laying decreases, far short of their natural lifespan.

Environmental and Health Motivations

In addition to ethics, environmental impact and health benefits are significant motivators for vegans. Animal agriculture, including dairy and egg production, has a substantial environmental footprint. Shifting to plant-based alternatives can considerably reduce this impact.

Environmental Comparison: Dairy vs. Plant-Based Milks


Feature	Cow's Milk (Per Liter)	Plant-Based Milks (Oat/Soy)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions	3.2 kg of CO2	1.0 kg of CO2 (soy) / 1.0 kg of CO2 (oat)
Water Use	628 liters	28 liters (soy) / 9 liters (oat)
Land Use	Much higher	Significantly lower

From a health perspective, vegan diets are linked to lower rates of certain chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Avoiding eggs and milk helps vegans reduce their intake of cholesterol and saturated fat. While ensuring adequate B12 and calcium is important, well-planned vegan diets are considered healthy for all life stages.

Comparison: Eggs vs. Plant-Based Egg Alternatives


Feature	Chicken Eggs	Plant-Based Egg Alternatives (e.g., Tofu, Flaxseed)
Saturated Fat	High	Low or none
Cholesterol	Contains cholesterol	No cholesterol
Animal Exploitation	Supports the culling of male chicks and the exploitation of laying hens	Completely animal-free; ethical choice
Environmental Impact	High footprint (land, water, emissions)	Significantly lower environmental impact
Nutritional Profile	Rich in protein, some vitamins	Varies by alternative; can be high in fiber and healthy fats

Conclusion: Making the Connection

The decision to abstain from eggs and milk is a natural and consistent extension of the core vegan philosophy. It's not merely about avoiding meat, but about rejecting the exploitation of animals in all its forms. The commercial production of both dairy and eggs involves a system that profits from animal suffering, confinement, and premature death. This, combined with the substantial negative environmental impact of these industries and the proven health benefits of plant-based eating, provides a compelling, multifaceted case for their exclusion from a vegan diet.

Today, with the wide availability of delicious and nutritious plant-based alternatives—from milks and yogurts made from soy, oats, and almonds to egg substitutes from tofu and flaxseed—it has never been easier to make this ethical choice. By choosing these options, vegans affirm their commitment to a more compassionate, sustainable, and healthy way of life.

For more information on the ethical aspects of veganism, you can visit the Animal Aid website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, because veganism is a philosophy that opposes exploitation, not just cruelty. The act of taking eggs or milk is viewed as using an animal's body for human gain. Even in small-scale farming, male chicks and spent dairy cows are still killed.

The primary ethical issue is the cycle of exploitation. This involves the forced impregnation of cows, the traumatic separation of their calves, and the eventual slaughter of the cow when her milk production declines.

Male chicks are considered a useless byproduct of the egg industry because they can't lay eggs and aren't the breed used for meat. They are typically culled (killed) shortly after hatching.

Vegans use a variety of plant-based milks, including soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and cashew milk. Many are fortified with calcium and vitamin B12.

Yes, many alternatives exist depending on the application. For scrambles, tofu is a popular choice. In baking, options include flax eggs (ground flaxseed and water), applesauce, or commercial egg replacers.

Plant-based milks generally have a much lower environmental footprint than cow's milk. They require less land and water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Yes, vegans can easily meet their protein needs by consuming a varied diet of plant foods. Sources include legumes, tofu, lentils, nuts, and seeds.