Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or a lifelong feline devotee, you should learn how to cook eggs for cats since they are an excellent (but not the only) addition to their diet!
After all, eggs are a healthy source of protein and fat both for us and our kitties.
Keep on reading below for the proper quantity and safe cooking tips!
Can Cats Eat Eggs?
Yes, cats can eat eggs. In fact, they are a great source of protein and safe to consume, too, once you prepare them properly. For instance, Purina recommends only giving your cat scrambled or boiled eggs with absolutely no salt, seasonings, or pieces of shell.
Ultimately, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require animal protein to thrive, which while abundant in eggs, should primarily come from meat or meat-based kibble.
However, whether or not your kitty will like eggs is another question entirely. Also, some cats may be allergic to eggs, so you have to monitor for signs of an allergic reaction. You can substitute eggs with good wet cat food alternatives if that is the case.
Note: To be safe, always consult with your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your cat’s diet and feed it in moderation.
Why Are Eggs Good for Cats?
While eggs are an excellent source of protein, they also come with other essential nutrients and minerals, including:
- Healthy fats—monosaturated fats boost your cat’s heart health, whereas polyunsaturated Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids improve its brain and nervous system;
- Amino acids—10 out of 11 amino acids needed by your feline friend are found in eggs, especially taurine, which keeps their little hearts and eyes healthy;
- Minerals—needed to boost the effectiveness of their immune system, eggs also include crucial minerals, such as iron, zinc, and selenium;
- Vitamins—the abundance of minerals found in eggs is incredible: A, D, and E, as well as most B-Group vitamins, and all are essential to the cat’s overall well-being.
According to Petcube, cat owners should watch out for how many eggs they give their kitties since one whole egg constitutes half of the number of calories they require each day, when in fact, eggs should make up around 10 percent of their daily nutrition.
Finally, check our thorough list of other human foods you can give your cats to supplement their diet when you are out of their favorite treats.
Can Cats Eat Raw Eggs?
Feeding your young or adult cat raw eggs should be avoided as it carries several risks. First, ingesting raw eggs may lead to e.coli or even salmonella—a nasty bacteria with severe gastrointestinal symptoms that may even result in death in rare cases.
Moreover, raw egg whites contain avidin—a protein that prevents the absorption of biotin (Vitamin B7), thus leading to vitamin deficiency.
Therefore, eggs should be properly cooked at 160°F before feeding both yourself and your pet, and we explore the most common cooking methods below. That way, you’ll ensure your kitty beats the average feline life expectancy while remaining healthy!
Can Cats Eat Egg Yolk?
Take a conservative approach when feeding yolk to your kitties since it contains the majority of the egg’s fatty content, and excess fat comes with some health risks.
For instance, in addition to increasing the cat’s caloric intake and thus its weight gain, egg yolk may also lead to gastrointestinal distress, especially if your kitty is overweight or has kidney or pancreas-related health issues.
Can Cats Eat Hard–Boiled Eggs?
Hard-boiled eggs are a superb cat treat since you don’t need oil to cook them, thus reducing the amount of fat your kitties consume. Moreover, since eggs are full of proteins and other nutrients, you won’t hear your kitties meowling for more food for a long time.
After boiling the egg, cut it or mash it up without any seasonings and give it to your cat as a treat or add it to its meal. Just remember to reduce the portion sizes and remove the yolk for a healthier option unless you have a skinny kitty that needs to gain weight!
Can Cats Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Scrambled eggs are a good alternative to boiled eggs, and your cat may even prefer their taste more! However, keep in mind that scrambled eggs are the unhealthier choice, even if you are only using egg whites since you have to add fat to cook them.
That said, offer your kitty a bit of your omelet, as long as it’s not seasoned heavily. If it has no issues digesting it, you can share a meal together now and then.
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Making your first steps as a cat parent? If so, read through our essential cat care tips! |
Key Takeaways
There you have it! Eggs are a nutritious and tasty meal that adds variety to your kitty’s diet. Also, they’ll most likely love this eggcellent treat and look forward to sharing it with their favorite human. Just remember to keep the advice given here regarding portion sizes and cooking methods since you don’t want your purry friend to gain unnecessary weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much egg can a cat eat?
Cats will typically eat as much as you give them since they don’t have our self-restraint. As for how much they should eat, a fifth of an egg meets their daily nutritional needs.
Can cats eat eggshells?
While the calcium in eggshells proves helpful to your cat’s bone and teeth health, eggshells may still come riddled with bacteria, and preparing them is challenging.
How to cook eggs for cats with weight problems?
Since eggs are high in calories, feed your kitty boiled egg whites only; thus, you will ensure it primarily consumes proteins that weren’t cooked in oil.
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