We all know eggs are an excellent protein source, but can cats eat eggs and depend on them to fulfill their need for protein? The answer is yes, you can give your cat an egg, and it will eat it. (Unless you have a cat that’s a picky eater like mine).
But, can you set a diet based on eggs for your cat? Is it safe or dangerous for them? That’s what we will discuss in this article.
Table of Contents
The Benefits Of Eggs For Your Cat
As humans, we enjoy a good breakfast with scrambled or boiled eggs, which give us the energy for the day and consider it a healthy meal. But is it the same for cats? Can cats eat eggs as we do?
Actually, they can also benefit from eggs’ amino acids and protein responsible for keeping them lean and muscular, but that doesn’t mean they can live off of it as they need to maintain a balanced diet, according to nutritionists. You can feed your cat eggs only as a treat.
Cats Can Eat Eggs! But What Will Happen If You Feed Your Cat Too Much?
A whole egg is about 90-150 calories. And an average cat only needs about 150-200 calories per day. So, the ideal amount of egg shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of the daily calories. Too much egg means too many calories, and before you know it, your cat will be suffering from obesity (of course, you don’t want that).
As you may already know, Cats can suffer from heart disease, especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which feline obesity intensifies. So feeding your cat too many calories increases her risk of having a sick heart.
Can Cats Eat Eggs? Raw Or Cooked?
Raw eggs are more likely to contain harmful bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli, which can infect both humans and cats and can be transmitted from one to another. Besides the bacteria, Raw egg whites contain avidin (a protein that binds biotin aka vitamin B7).
The overconsumption of avidin can cause biotin deficiency. The only way to avoid such a thing is to cook the egg (obviously) before feeding it to your cat.
Is It Dangerous For Cats To Eat Eggs?
Well, technically, yes. It’s dangerous if your cat is allergic to eggs. But don’t worry, egg allergies in cats are not that common, so it’s perfectly safe for your cat to eat eggs. However, you should pay attention to the amounts your cat is eating. Make sure it’s moderate.
How can you know your cat has an egg allergy?
Well, after trying to feed her some eggs. Specific symptoms will start to show, such as itchy skin or ears, skin infections, or gastrointestinal issues. If you noticed any of these symptoms, take your cat to the nearest vet and follow their instructions carefully.
How Many Eggs Can Your Cat Eat In One Day?
As we already mentioned, the ideal amount of egg shouldn’t exceed 10 percent of your cats’ daily calories. You may think one egg (which is 90-155 calories) is perfect. But I suppose you might be wrong.
One egg for a normal-sized cat translates to about 8 to 15 eggs for an average-sized human, considering the variation of metabolic rates. It is safe to feed your cat around 10-15% of an egg every 24 hours. So, the perfect plan is to give her a quarter of an egg every other day and as a snack.
And What About EGG YOLKS?
Egg yolks are not dangerous for your cat at all. Haven’t we all heard about the dangers of egg yolks for the human heart? Egg yolks contain a generous amount of cholesterol, which may contribute to causing human heart disease if taken in high portions.
Well, that’s ancient history now. The most recent research suggests that it is not dietary cholesterol that causes human heart disease, unlike overeating anything and exercising too little. That being said, eggs are safe to consume, and cats can eat eggs, including egg yolks.
Can Kittens Eat Cooked Eggs?
Kittens being small creatures, they don’t need that much energy intake. Yes, they can eat eggs. But you have to make sure you’re doing it the right way. You have to feed them tiny amounts only.
Bottom Line
Can cats eat eggs? Absolutely. And even though it’s entirely safe for your kitten or cat to eat eggs, you shouldn’t overdo it. Moderation is key in everything.
A quarter of an egg can be more than enough, and always make sure your cat doesn’t have any allergies to anything before giving it a try by asking your vet to do an allergy test. But still, egg allergy is not common. And always consult your vet before thinking of making any change in your cats’ diet. Remember, feed your cat egg only as a treat.
