Can cats eat eggs?
We all know that cats can and love to eat chicken, but what about whether cats can eat eggs? Of course, the answer is yes, cats can and will eat anything they choose to. However, just because they can, doesn't mean it will do them any good. Your kitty will be pleased to hear though, that eggs are perfectly okay for them to eat, as long as you follow the advice in this blog.
Benefits of eggs for cats
Eggs are pawfectly safe to feed to your cat, and even contain nutrients that will benefit them.
The typical nutrient analysis of one standard-sized egg is; 66 kcal, 4.6g Fat, and 6.4g Protein, with only a trace of carbs. This makes them pretty lean little circular machines. Especially beneficial to your little obligate carnivore, who's reliant on gaining vital amino acids like taurine from eating animal products. These amino acids are found in the highest concentration in animal meat, but also in eggs.
The yolk is where you'll find the majority of the fat and the whites are where the high-quality proteins are. Therefore if you know your kitty is sensitive to richer foods, you could try just the whites. Equally don't just feed the yolk, as too much fat can cause upset tums, the dreaded d-word (diarrhea), and vomming.
On top of this eggs also contain omega-3 fatty acids which contribute to a glossy and healthy coat. All the better for snoogling.
How does your cat like their eggs in the morning?
The best way to serve eggs to your cat is to gently scramble or hard-boil them. This removes the risk of salmonella poisoning.
Then, like with any new food, you'll want to introduce it to your kitty slowly. Start off with a little teaspoon and see how your cat gets on with it (aka check out their poops after). This will help you rule out that your cat is intolerant or sensitive to them. If they pass the poop test, you can then choose to feed them on their own, or as a topper for your cat's main meal.
Don't forget that this extra bit of chow means you'll need to reduce their main meal size accordingly.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Whilst eggs are perfectly safe for cats to eat, don't forget they should only be given in moderation and as a supplement to their main meal. Choose a gut-friendly, high protein, and complete cat food like Scrumbles Chicken Dry Cat Food or Tuna Wet Cat Food. This will provide your kitty with all the nutrients they need to thrive, meaning that too much extra egg is not only unnecessary but could cause pancreatitis and obesity.
You should also never feed raw eggs unless you can verify that they're free from salmonella. If not, you could make your cat very sick. There's also some conflicting research about avoiding raw eggs due to a protein found in the whites called Avidin. This binds to biotin (vitamin b) and blocks its absorption. However, if you cook the egg, levels of Avidin significantly reduce. We like to err on the side of caution, so stick to cooked eggs.
We've also seen suggestions for feeding ground eggshells due to the calcium content. We would recommend being very careful as any pieces that aren't finely grounded could easily cause damage to your kitty's gums, mouth, and throat.
Our other final meow of warning is that in reality, your cat might really not be too fussed about eating an egg. The first way that cats choose what to eat is via their wicked sense of smell. Eggs tend to be pretty odorless, especially in comparison to meaty wet cat food, so don't be surprised if they turn their teeny nose up. Our Boo certainly is not a fan of eggs.
Eggs you shouldn't feed to your cat
Yes, cats can eat eggs, but not all eggs are safe for cats. Here are some eggs you should definitely avoid feeding to your cat:
FAQs
How much egg can a cat eat?
You should never feed your cat a whole egg in one sitting, as this is the equivalent of you eating about 15 eggs in one go. Therefore stick to about a tablespoon, reducing their main meal accordingly.
How often can cats eat eggs?
Due to the calories, we recommend only feeding your cat eggs once, or max twice, a week. Remember to reduce their main meal accordingly.
