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As pet food experts, we often get asked questions like “can cats eat eggs?”, “can cats eat egg yolk?” and “can cats eat cooked eggs?”.
The short answer to this is yes, in moderation. Cats can eat egg yolk and whites, and provided they’re cooked and in small quantities, eggs can be a reasonably nutritious occasional treat as part of your cat’s diet.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at whether cats can eat eggs safely, and how this can affect their long-term health.
Are eggs good for cats?
Before we think about the question “can cats eat eggs?” we should consider whether or not they should eat eggs.
Eggs are rich in protein and fat, which are both key parts of a cat’s carnivorous diet. While cats should get the majority of their protein from animal products, a small amount of cooked egg can be a perfectly healthy way to supplement protein if it seems like your cat isn’t getting enough.
It’s important to note that a whole egg contains around 80 calories, and according to The All Feline Hospital, an adult cat only needs 200-300 calories per day to maintain a healthy diet. With this in mind, you should be very cautious with portion control, and avoid giving your cat a whole egg in any one sitting.
Can kittens eat eggs?
While eggs aren’t especially harmful to most kittens, it’s important to note that junior cats don’t need as many calories as adult cats. The high-calorie content of eggs means that it can be easy to overfeed a kitten with eggs. With this in mind, they should only be given as an occasional treat in very small portions, rather than a regular staple of their diet.
Like with adult cats, eggs should never be a kitten’s primary source of protein. To ensure your kitten is getting all the nutrition they need to grow at a healthy rate, be sure to feed them consistent meals with nutritionally-balanced kitten food, like Perfect Fit™ Junior cat food.
Can cats eat raw eggs?
While cats can eat boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, and any other way you’d prepare them with no ill effects, it’s recommended that you should avoid feeding your cats raw egg. Like humans, cats can contract bacterial infections like salmonella when consuming raw and uncooked foods.
If you do decide to give eggs to your cat, we strongly recommend cooking them thoroughly to avoid the risk of your pet coming into contact with harmful bacteria.
While cats can eat raw eggs, and many will certainly try if they get the chance, this should always be avoided in the interest of their health.
Can cats eat cooked eggs?
Many cats love the taste of cooked eggs, and they’re perfectly fine to feed your cat in moderate portions occasionally, as a treat. Most cats being fed a complete and balanced diet don't need supplements. However, with a high concentration of fat and protein, cooked eggs can be a great way to ensure they’re getting key nutrients in their diet.
Like humans, raw eggs can give cats food poisoning and bacterial infections. Raw eggs also contain avidin, an enzyme that can interfere with a cat’s ability to absorb key vitamins. For these reasons, it’s important to make sure eggs are thoroughly cooked and served in small amounts whenever you’re giving them to your cat. Cats can eat scrambled eggs easily due to the softened texture, but there’s no major difference to how it will affect their nutritional health in terms of the way you cook them.
Is scrambled egg OK for cats?
Can cats eat scrambled eggs? Yes! Scrambled eggs can be a highly nutritious occasional treat for cats, provided you exercise portion control and ensure they’re not overeating. Eggs are rich in amino acids, the essential building blocks of protein which cats need to maintain their muscles and bones to produce hormones. As cats can eat egg yolk and whites without issue, there’s no need to be overly cautious about separating the two.
When you’re giving scrambled egg to your cat, we recommend cooking it for longer than you might for a human, and avoid making them overly runny.
While cats can eat raw eggs when given to them, this should be avoided to reduce the risk of bacterial infections. You should also avoid adding any extra ingredients you might put in your own eggs, for example, salt and garlic. While non-fussy cats can eat scrambled eggs with all your favourite trimmings, these could be harmful, and probably won’t make the eggs any tastier for them anyway!
How much egg can I give my cat?
When considering the question “can cats eat eggs?”, we should remember that cats have much lower caloric requirements compared to humans, and it’s important to bear this in mind when you’re portioning up eggs to add to your cat’s food. An average 10-pound indoor cat only needs around 200 calories per day, a target amount that increases to a maximum of 300 if you have a particularly large indoor cat or an active outdoor cat. Other factors could affect the ideal portion size for your cat, so it’s best to consult a veterinarian for their advice.
While many cats can eat boiled eggs easily, remember that just one is roughly equivalent to eight eggs for humans. It’s recommended that you never serve more than half a small portion of a single egg to your cat in one sitting, that eggs are thoroughly cooked, and that they don’t become a part of their daily diet.
Excessive egg consumption can make your cat feel sick after eating, and can lead to obesity in the long term. For normal-sized cats, serving a tablespoon of cooked egg white is an ample amount to supplement the protein in their diet without overfeeding them.
Are eggs OK for cats with diarrhoea?
Can cats eat eggs with an upset tummy? Yes, eggs can be suitable for cats with diarrhoea. The easily digestible proteins in eggs can be gentle on the stomach. However, it's crucial to feed them plain, cooked eggs without any additives. Monitor your cat's response and consult with a vet for tailored advice on their specific condition.
High in protein and nutrients, but low in fermentable carbohydrates, cats can eat cooked eggs as a good way to control gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhoea.
Diarrhoea in cats can be caused by a lot of things, including eggs and other foodstuffs. If your cat seems to have an upset tummy after eating eggs, this could also be caused by seasoning and other additives, a common issue seen with cat parents who feed their pets directly from their plate.
It’s recommended that you consult your vet before introducing any kind of new food to your cat’s diet, especially if they’re prone to gastrointestinal issues.
Is egg allergy a concern for cats?
Though egg allergies are by no means common in cats, they’re not unheard of. Cats can eat boiled eggs and eggs prepared in any other way and suffer from an allergic reaction, even if you’ve fed them to your cat before with no issues.
Some common food allergy symptoms to be aware of include:
- Hair loss and patchy fur.
- Overgrooming in cats.
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, and other signs of gastrointestinal upset.
- Excessive scratching.
- Inflamed inner ears.
If you’re planning to introduce eggs to your cat’s diet, it’s important to do this gradually alongside their normal food, and to keep a close eye on any physical reactions after eating. If you notice any of the allergy symptoms listed above, it’s important that you book a consultation with your veterinary and seek their advice as soon as possible.
Wrapping up
While eggs can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your cat’s diet, it’s important to remember there’s no single answer to the question “can cats eat eggs?” Always approach feeding your cat eggs with caution, serve it cooked and in moderation, as an occasional treat, and always seek the advice of a veterinarian if you’re unsure of anything.
For more help with giving your cat a healthy, balanced diet, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on optimal nutrition for cat's immune system, and our range of nutritionally complete Perfect Fit™ Cat food.