Your tiny tiger may have tried every kind of kibble from chicken to rabbit to fish, but can cats eat eggs? Yes, cats can eat eggs if you know the risks and benefits — cooked eggs can be a great treat to add to your cat's mealtime routine.
The Benefits of Eggs
Petcha includes eggs on a list of cat "superfoods." The author of the list, veterinarian Dr. Laci Schaible, says she offers her own cats some scrambled eggs once a week. The protein in eggs is easy for cats to digest, and eggs are packed with amino acids that help maintain lean muscle.
Salmonella: It's No Yolk
If you don't have time to scramble them up diner-style, can cats eat eggs raw? Absolutely not, says the American Verterinary Medical Association. That's because, just like humans, cats can contract salmonella or E. coli bacteria from consuming raw eggs (or raw meat). Symptoms of poisoning from these pathogens vary but can include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. The illness can even be fatal.
The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine warns against the recent uptick in pet parents feeding cats and dogs "raw diets," both for nutritional reasons and because of the dangers of salmonella and E. coli. Any contamination from raw meat can be transmitted to humans by feeding or handling pet dishes, and a bout with salmonella can be dangerous for someone who is very young, elderly or immunocompromised. Be careful to wash your hands after cooking meat or eggs for yourself, and keep your cat away from raw ingredients and other toxic human foods.
Tasty Tips
In addition to the dangers of salmonella and E. coli, Catster warns that raw eggs contain a protein called avidin that interferes with the absorption of biotin, the vitamin your cat needs to maintain her healthy skin and shiny coat. Cooking eggs denatures this protein and also provides a dose of biotin.
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
As with any food, never feed it to your cat without checking with your veterinary first. If you are feeding your cat eggs for the first time, keep an eye on her for a day or two to see if she has an adverse reaction. According to the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University, egg is a common allergy in cats and dogs — though it should be noted that the overall percentage of pets with food allergies is low. A food allergy can be one of the causes of itchy skin or ears, skin infections or gastrointestinal issues.
Want to see if your cat likes eggs? Great! After consulting with your vet to make sure it's a safe snack for your kitty, you can try serving them scrambled, hard-boiled or poached. Just remember to consider them a treat, and only feed your fur baby eggs as part of a balanced meal plan. For the rest of her meals, choose a high-quality, nutritionally balanced food like Hill's® Science DietTM Adult Chicken Recipe cat food. Keep her curious at mealtimes and give her food that fuels her growth, health and energy!
Related products
Adult Tender Chicken Dinner Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition in two delicous flavours to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Adult Indoor Savory Chicken Entrée Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition for indoor cats with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken
Kitten with Salmon
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced salmon to help build immunity and a healthy digestive system
Adult Perfect Weight Salmon & Vegetable
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Related articles
Weight Gain in Your Cat & How You Can Help
Being overweight puts a cat at risk for developing many serious health issues. Weight gain indicates an increase in body fat and usually results when your cat eats too much and exercises too little.
Caring for Your Cat Through All of Life's Stages
HillsPet Nutrition provides information on proper nutrition, fitness and special needs in keeping your cat healthy and happy.
Brushing & Food: Keys to Maintaining Your Cat's Oral Health
Get helpful information on proper feline oral healthcare and why it's so vital to take care of your cat's teeth.
Common Health Concerns in an Overweight Cat
As a responsible pet owner you owe it to yourself and your cat to understand problems associated with overweight cats.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.