Like humans, cats can eat cooked eggs and in fact, there are benefits to doing so (namely that they are high in protein and good vitamins, have no carbs, and the fats in them are fine for cats to have in moderate quantities).
But do raw eggs carry the same benefits? Can cats eat raw eggs?
In order: Yes, raw eggs carry the same vitamins as cooked ones. But cats should not eat raw eggs and for the same reasons really that humans shouldn’t eat raw eggs.
There are two major concerns with raw eggs: The avidin protein in raw eggs binds with vitamin B7 and this halts the cat’s ability to absorb the vitamin (making it useless) and secondly, raw egg contains a massive contamination risk, namely of salmonella.
Much like humans, salmonella poisoning in cats shows up as diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, dehydration, and in severe cases, organ damage.
Organic and free-range eggs are less risky raw, but there is still a risk. This is of particular concern to kittens and old cats that don’t have the same intestinal fortitude as healthy adults.
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Do Cats Like Raw Egg?
It’s unlikely that your cat will go begging for raw eggs. For that matter, many cats won’t go begging for cooked eggs, though they’ll eat them if you offer them.
You would stand a better chance of stumbling across your cat licking up leftover raw egg that didn’t get cleaned up and even then, I’ve never had a cat go for it. Eggs aren’t exactly enticing for cats even if they are full of proteins and good fats.
That being said, there are probably are cats that would go after raw egg if they thought they could get away with it. As always, it depends on your cat’s preferences.
Do Cats Hate Raw Egg?
It depends on the cat. My senior cat has never bothered with raw eggs. I don’t know if she *hates* them so much as doesn’t see the point of going for something like that when there’s perfectly good kibble and canned food on tap.
Can Raw Egg Kill Cats?
It probably won’t kill your cat, but raw eggs may make your cat very uncomfortable for a while if it gets salmonella poisoning off it. Salmonella poisoning carries a higher risk of dehydration which many cats have to some small extent anyway, and that can cause health problems that are longer-term.
Eating too many raw eggs can also lead to a vitamin B7 deficiency since the raw egg effectively halts the absorption of that vitamin and the cat will be too full to eat other food that has B7 in it, like their kibble.
Eggs, in general, shouldn’t be fed to cats all the time, cooked or raw. While they have plenty of good fats and proteins, they are still high in fats and that can lead to heart problems.
Eggs should also be unseasoned and boiled eggs are best as they won’t have any extra fats from frying or scrambling.
How much Raw Egg Can Cats Eat?
None. Cats should simply avoid raw eggs. If they manage to get a lick in, they probably won’t suffer much for it, but monitor your cat for symptoms of salmonella poisoning.
Cats and Cooked Eggs
Cooked eggs, on the other hand, can be quite beneficial to cats, as long as it is given in moderate amounts. By cooking the eggs, the salmonella bacteria is destroyed without destroying the nutritional value of said eggs. This makes them safe to eat and somewhat healthy.
Eggs are a very good source of protein and fat, giving cats a boost of the animal protein that they require. It’s certainly not something they should live on, but it is a good supplement of protein.
Cats don’t need to eat many eggs though to get this benefit – perhaps a tablespoon or so per day, and it’s better to give them the egg white as that has more protein whereas the yolk has more fats. Either one is safe for cats to eat, though they shouldn’t eat too much of the yolk since it will increase their fat intake.
Cats probably won’t care to eat eggshells. They’re not unhealthy or dangerous and they are a good source of minerals like calcium, but most cats don’t like them, and they may cause cuts, depending on the cat. But if your cat likes them, they are safe to eat.
If you’re going to feed your cat eggs, then the eggs should either be scrambled or boiled (better boiled since scrambled usually means adding things like oil and milk which aren’t good for cats). Seasonings should not be added since cats can’t handle things like salt or pepper very well.
Again, egg whites are better than yolks since they have lots of proteins and almost no fats whereas yolks are high in fat and can cause an upset tummy, as well as higher cholesterol if cats eat them too much. Eggs can be added on top of their regular kibble in very small amounts (about one tablespoon).
Cats can also eat duck eggs, quail eggs, and goose eggs. The nutritional values don’t change, but the size does! Quail eggs are often suitable for smaller cats, but duck eggs and goose eggs are way too big and should only be used for very occasional treats or one-off full meals.
If your cat has never had eggs before, monitor your pet after they eat some to make sure they don’t have an allergic reaction. Cats can be allergic to eggs just like humans and symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Scratching
- Hair loss or thinning
- Self-biting
- Broken skin that may become infected
- Digestive problems
- Vomiting
- Inflammation/infection of the ears
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
If this happens, don’t let your cat eat any more eggs and if it gets too serious, talk to your vet.
Conclusion
Eggs are often a good source of supplemental protein for cats and cooked eggs are perfectly safe. Raw eggs on the other hand should be avoided as they carry the risk of salmonella poisoning which can be quite dangerous and uncomfortable for cats to go through.
Eggs are nutritionally dense, and a single tablespoon is enough for cats to get a good boost of protein. Of course, this assumes that your cat cares at all! Does your cat like eggs?
Pam is a self-confessed cat lover and has experience of working with cats and owning cats for as long as she can remember. This website is where she gets to share her knowledge and interact with other cat lovers.