Can Cats Have Eggs?
Eggs are good, eggs are bad. This food is something that humans go back and forth on whether or not they are healthy. Is the same true for cats?
Yes, cats can eat eggs if you know the risks and benefits. Which you can learn in the sections below
Can cats eat eggs raw?
Absolutely not! Just like humans, cats can contract salmonella or E. coli bacteria from consuming raw eggs, just like raw meat.
Symptoms of possible poisoning from these viruses vary but can include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Sometimes, the poisoning can even be fatal.
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.
Is it OK for cats to eat cooked eggs?
Cooking eggs denatures this protein and also provides a dose of biotin.
Basically, all of the positives of cats eating eggs comes from them having fully cooked eggs.
Cooked eggs can be a great treat to add to your cat’s mealtime routine.
Are Eggs Good For Cats?
The protein in eggs is easy for cats to digest, and eggs are packed with amino acids that help maintain lean muscle.
While anything outside of meat and veggies is not considered “great” for cats, eggs do add some health benefits that most human food does not.
Like many other treats, such as coconut, eggs are great supplementary item for you cat. However, it should never replace the main component of your cats meal.
They need the meat and protein that is found in wet and dry cat food to give them the nutrients they need to survive and thrive.
Eggs alone simply cannot do that.
Vegetarian cats are not ideal situations. Sorry.
How Do I Prepare Eggs for My Cat?
In my opinion, there are only two ways that eggs can be prepared safely for cats. That is scrambled and hard-boiled.
Not only do both these methods allow eggs to be cooked thoroughly, but they allow for different textures.
Some cats may respond well to hard-boiled eggs, and not all at to scrambled eggs. And vice versa.
Each cat is different, but if you prepare eggs in a traditional scrambled or hard-boiled way, your cat’s safety will be better off.
Can You Give Your Cats Scrambled Eggs?
Scrambled Eggs are probably one of the safer ways for cats to consume eggs.
Not only does the prevent Salmonella and E.Coli, mentioned above, it is one of the ways eggs are fully cooked through.
With any situation, if you are going to be giving cats scrambled eggs you want to do it in moderation. I know a lot of people start out with small serving of eggs once a week.
If their cat enjoys the egg, they will slowly continue to add more each week until it gets to about a whole cooked egg once or twice a week.
Cats are still carnivores, so it is best that the majority of their food comes from meat.
If you are feeding your cat eggs for the first time, keep an eye on them for a day or two to see if they have an adverse reactions.
>> Keep Reading More: Can Cats Have PopCorn?
Can Cats Eat Egg Yolks?
Egg Yolks are tricky when it comes to our feline friend. Basically it comes to do portions and prepared.
Egg Yolks are filled with cholesterol and fatty acids. In small doses, it does not harm kittens. However, like humans, in large doses, it can cause heart issues with your cat.
Egg Yolks also need to be consumed cooked, as mentioned above.
Therefore, using a whole egg for scrambled eggs, or hard boiled eggs does not harm your kitten. It provides excellent nutrients that cats will benefit from.
So no sunny-side up eggs for your little kitty.
Can Cats Eat Eggshells?
According to PetMD, there is information that shows some health benefits to eggshells for cats. The main health benefit is in the form of calcium.
Egg Shells can be kept on while hard boiling eggs. You will just want to make sure all of the pieces are safe and edible for cats.
In addition, to avoid the potential of salmonella poisoning, make sure ALL of the egg is boiled first.
From there, you can crush them into small pieces (a coffee grinder is usually recommended) before sprinkling in your cat’s food.
When And Why Would Eggs Be Bad Or Unsafe For Cats And Kittens?
There are only two situations in which cats and eggs would not be a good idea.
The first is in large portions or trying to replace the typical meat of the cat’s diet with eggs.
Cats are natural carnivores and therefore their diet needs to consist of that.
The other situation is when cats are allergic to eggs. Cats have allergies just like humans. Sometimes, cats can be allergic to eggs.
The first time you give cats eggs, you want to check and make sure your cat doesn’t have any mild allergies to it.
Just like with babies, you want to watch your fur-baby whenever you introduce a new food
Final Verdict: Can Cats Have Eggs?
Eggs are safe for cats! They need to be fully-cooked and given in moderation.
Give your cats eggs slowly to make sure they not only like it, but don’t have any allergies to them.
This is actually pretty informative.