When thinking of meals to add to your cat’s mealtime routine, eggs might not come to mind. But eggs are a superfood for us humans and cats alike. When cooked the right way, eggs are beneficial for cats. Most scientists agree that eggs are nutritious for animals. However, knowing the risks and benefits of feeding your kitty eggs is crucial.
Are Eggs Good for Cats?
You might have heard that wild cats eat raw eggs, and you’re wondering whether you can feed your pet some eggs. The reality is that cats can eat eggs and most cat breeders don’t mind occasionally treating their pets with this superfood.
Eggs are a rich source of protein and fat, and since cats are obligate carnivores, their diet primarily contains animal proteins. However, you should note that eggs shouldn’t be your kitty’s only source of protein. Feeding your cat eggs should only be a way of supplementing their diet from time to time.
Egg whites contain protein, while egg yolks contain mainly fat with some protein. When feeding your cat, you should be wary of the fat content of their diet. Getting the right balance of fat and protein is vital to keep your pet healthy and strong.
Eggshells, on the other hand, contain calcium and minerals. However, they are less desirable for your feline friend. If you want to add minerals to your cat’s diet, consider doing this under your vet’s supervision.
Benefits of Eggs
Eggs are good for cats, and vets recommend feeding your cat eggs once a week. One of the main perks of eggs is that they are easy for cats to digest. They contain amino acids, which help maintain your kitty’s lean muscle.
Can Cats Eat Raw Eggs?
While eggs provide several benefits to your pet, you shouldn’t feed them with raw eggs. Like humans, your pet can contract E. coli or salmonella bacteria. This bacteria can lead to severe gastrointestinal complications for your cat. If you often feed your cat with raw diets, giving it raw eggs isn’t advisable.
Raw egg whites also contain an avidin-enzyme, which affects the cat’s ability to absorb vitamins. Consuming raw egg whites can lead to skin and coat problems. Cooking the eggs reduces avidin, making them safe for your cats to consume. Preparing scrambled eggs for your cat will also give it a healthy dose of biotin.
The Food and Drug Administration warns against feeding pets with raw diets because of the risks of E. coli or salmonella bacteria. Transmission of bacteria via raw meat to humans happens during the feeding and handling of pet dishes.
How to Feed Your Cat Eggs
It’s healthy for your pet to eat eggs, but it’s now evident that you can’t feed it raw eggs. The best way to prepare your pet’s eggs is to scramble, poach, fry, or boil them. If you prefer frying the eggs, don’t add butter, seasoning, or anything that could potentially upset your cat’s sensitive gastrointestinal system.
Cats are fussy eaters and might try to ignore the eggs when feeding them for the first time. Add the eggs to their dry or wet cat food in small, bite-sized pieces. That will help to disguise the eggs before they get used to the taste. After a few bites, they will love it.
It’s relatively normal for felines to experience food allergies or intolerances, but they rarely have egg allergies. Nevertheless, you must monitor your kitty’s health after feeding eggs. Any ear infections, itching, or digestive upset could indicate an allergy or intolerance. Stay with them for a while and observe them for irregular behavior or sickness.
How Much Egg Is Healthy for Your Cat?
Feeding your pet with a balanced diet should be a priority. With this in mind, eggs shouldn’t be their sole source of protein. Feed your cat eggs as a supplement. Eggs should only make up 10% of your pet’s diet. A diet with only eggs will lead to malnutrition.
You might be curious whether you can feed your cat an egg daily. Well, one egg to a 10-pound cat is like 15 eggs daily for someone weighing 150 pounds. That shows that it’s not safe to feed your cat eggs daily. Supplement this superfood at least once or twice weekly. It’s best to break the cooked egg into pieces and give it in small quantities.
Can Cats Eat Egg Shells?
Feeding your cat eggshells might be the last thing on your mind. But it’s interesting to learn that egg shells are a rich source of protein and calcium. Egg shells also have other rich minerals, including fluoride, strontium, selenium, and magnesium.
Cats rarely have digestive problems, and wild cats wouldn’t mind eating eggshells. After all, it wouldn’t take time to get rid of the shell if they were going for the yolk. Domestic cats are not nearly as adventurous. As a pet owner, you might worry about feeding your cat something you’re unsure of.
You might not be aware of the risk of salmonella bacteria, but the mere chance of your cat choking from eggshells is worrying. Small pieces of eggshells can get stuck in your kitty’s throat, an issue that could lead to choking and injury.
While egg shells are nutritious, they can do more harm than good. Besides the fact that they increase the risk of contracting salmonella, the fact that egg shells are a choking hazard means that it’s safer not to feed your cat egg shells.
If you want to get the nutritional benefits of eggshells, it’s better to use eggshell powder supplements. You only need to sprinkle the supplement on your pet’s food. One crushed eggshell contains about 800 mg of calcium, serving up to two meals.
Other vital elements from crushed eggshells include zinc, copper, silicon, sulfur, manganese, and more. So, instead of giving your cat eggshells, it’s best to go for powdered shells.
The Disadvantages of Eggs
Eggs are good for your kitty but have loads of cholesterol and fat. Too much fat in your pet’s diet can cause obesity and pancreatitis. Egg yolks have lots of fat and cholesterol. If your cat is overweight or has kidney complications, avoid feeding them egg yolks. Remember, eggs should be an occasional treat, not an everyday staple of their diet.
As with any food, it’s crucial to check in with your vet to feed your kitty with eggs for the first time. Keep an eye on your kitty for a day or two to see if she develops any adverse reactions. Check for symptoms like itchy skin or gastrointestinal issues.
How do you know your cat likes eggs? After consulting with your veterinarian and ensuring it’s safe to feed your pet eggs, serve them hard-boiled, fried, or poached.
Feed your fur baby in small quantities since it helps them to get accustomed to the taste before taking a larger bite. Ensure the eggs are part of a balanced meal plan. During your pet’s mealtimes, keep her curious by providing nutritious foods that support her optimal growth.
Conclusion
Eggs are good for your kitty, but you should remember to prepare the eggs in a way she will enjoy. It’s best to serve the eggs boiled or scrambled. Don’t add seasoning since your cat might be fussy with the different tastes, and some might upset their stomach.
More importantly, always serve the eggs as supplements. Your pet should only eat eggs once or twice weekly. For the other meals, provide your baby with a balanced diet.
