Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they’re also highly digestible.
Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine. Be sure there is no salt or seasonings and that you’ve removed the shell. Of course, given the mercurial nature of cats, a better question might be, “will my cat eat eggs?” Only your cat can answer that one.
Are Eggs Good for Cats?
Yes. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet consists primarily of meat protein. Egg whites contain an abundance of protein, while the yolk is a great source for healthy fats. Eggs contain a lot more benefits than proteins, however.
Other beneficial nutrients of eggs for your cat include:
- Amino Acids: Eggs come packed with a wide variety of amino acids, most notably taurine. Taurine plays a critical role in boosting vision, digestion, heart function, immunity, healthy pregnancy and fetal development for cats.
- Healthy Fats: Cats require healthy fats in their diet and eggs are a great source. Giving your cat a small amount of egg will provide her with monosaturated fat for heart health, polyunsaturated fat like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, for brain, nervous system and heart health.
- Vitamins: Eggs contain a surprising number of vitamins, including Vitamins A, B12, D, E, Biotin, Riboflavin and Thiamine. Each of these vitamins benefits cat health in its own way. A few of the health benefits these vitamins deliver to cats include, providing energy, antioxidants for immune support and more.
- Minerals: Iron, selenium and zinc are all found within eggs. These three promote hemoglobin production, immune health and collagen synthesis, respectively.
Is an Egg a Good Meal for a Cat?
No, an egg is not a proper meal for a cat. Surprisingly, eggs are not nutritionally complete and lack all the nutrients cats need to thrive. That said, eggs are a common ingredient in many cat foods because they’re part of a complete and balanced food.
How Much Egg Should I Feed a Cat?
Not a lot. Eggs are nutritionally inadequate to be a complete meal for a cat. Feeding a cat some egg should be considered the same as giving them a treat.
“A moderately active ten-pound cat needs an average of two hundred and fifty calories per day,” explains Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS. “Eggs should be considered as treats and, therefore, be no more than ten percent of your cat’s daily calories. A large egg contains about seventy calories and, therefore, your cat should receive only a small amount of egg.”
Can Cats Eat Raw Eggs?
No. Raw eggs are not suitable for cats. When eggs are not cooked or are undercooked, they can harbor bacteria like Salmonella. Also, raw egg whites can be bad for cats. “Chickens deposit avidin, a biotin-binding protein, in egg whites,” says Carbo-Johnson. “This protein prevents absorption of biotin (also known as vitamin B7), which can cause a vitamin deficiency. Cooking eggs for your cat would prevent those results.”
Will My Cat Try an Egg?
Maybe. As any cat owner can tell you, each cat has their own specific likes and dislikes. Cats are known for being both picky and adventurous in what they eat. Having an unpredictable nature means most cats like variety in what they eat. To know for certain, see how your cat reacts to a small portion of cooked egg.
If your cat likes eggs, try introducing them to pet nutrition that includes eggs as a featured ingredient.
Can Kittens Eat Eggs?
Yes, kittens can have eggs. But considering how few calories kittens need each day, it’s not the best option. Instead, ensure you’re giving kittens the nutrition they need with kitten food and treats made especially for their life stage.
Find out more about what you can and can’t feed your cat. Visit our Pet Expertise page to get some valuable insights from our pet experts.
Navigate Your Pet’s Dietary Needs With myPurina
While you can treat your feline friend to an egg in moderation, it’s far from a complete, balanced meal. Not sure what’s the best food to put into your cat’s bowl? Let myPurina help you figure it out.
myPurina is our free pet care app that offers personalized product recommendations, opportunities to earn rewards, and expert-backed resources to help care for your pet. Our app includes features such as:
- Pet Food Finder: Create a pet profile and discover the perfect pet food based on your cat’s dietary preferences, like sensitive stomachs or skin.
- Rewards: Scan or upload your receipts to earn points and redeem them for tail-wagging rewards.
- Train + Play: Bond with your furry friend as you explore and learn new games, enrichment activities, and training exercises.
Your pet's health journey begins with a single tap. Download myPurina today!
I'm not one to toot my own horn, but when it comes to cats and their dietary needs, I'm the cat's meow, if you catch my drift. I've spent more hours than I care to admit delving into the intricacies of feline nutrition. So, let's dive into the eggcellent details of this article.
First off, it's clear that the author knows their stuff. They're not just winging it. The claim that cats can eat eggs is spot-on, and it's backed up with solid reasoning. Cats are obligate carnivores, and eggs, with their protein-packed goodness, fit the bill. But hold your horses (or should I say cats?), an egg isn't a full-on feast for your feline friend. It lacks some essential nutrients, making it more of a treat than a complete meal.
Now, the breakdown of the egg's nutritional content is impressive. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein, take center stage, especially taurine, which is crucial for various aspects of feline health. Healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, make eggs a paw-some choice for heart and brain health. And let's not forget the vitamin and mineral parade—A, B12, D, E, biotin, riboflavin, thiamine, iron, selenium, and zinc—all contributing to the overall well-being of your cat.
But here's the kicker: moderation is key. A cat can't live on eggs alone. According to Purina Nutritionist Karina Carbo-Johnson, an egg should be no more than 10% of your cat's daily calories. So, if your furball is a bit of an egg enthusiast, keep it in check.
And for all the adventurous cat owners out there wondering if raw eggs are on the menu, think again. Raw eggs can be a breeding ground for nasty bacteria like Salmonella, and the avidin in raw egg whites can mess with biotin absorption. Cooking those eggs is the way to go.
Lastly, the article throws in a curveball with kittens. Yes, they can nibble on eggs, but it's not the ideal go-to. Kitten-specific food is the real winner in providing those tiny furballs with the nutrients they need.
So, if you're thinking of treating your whiskered companion to an egg or two, go ahead, but remember, it's just a sideshow, not the main event. And if you're feeling a bit lost in the sea of cat nutrition, there's an app for that—myPurina. It's like a personal nutritionist for your feline friend, minus the lab coat.
