Cats

Can Cats Eat Eggs?

Nicole Groshek | March 6, 2024 | 5 minute read

Yes, cats can eat cooked eggs with the right preparation—as part of a balanced diet. Keep reading to learn the do’s and don’ts of feeding eggs to your cat.

Are Eggs Good for Cats?

Cooked eggs can be good for healthy cats—with the right preparation and portion sizes. Cats with certain health conditions such as pancreatitis or kidney problems should not eat eggs.

Eggs have plenty of the nutrients cats need to thrive: they’re a good source of protein, iron, vitamin D and many other vitamins and minerals. Eggs also provide lutein, an antioxidant that supports eye health, and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which can promote a shiny coat.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are almost entirely made of protein without any fat or cholesterol. Egg whites can be an effective protein supplement to your cat’s regular diet, but egg whites should not be relied on as a primary source of protein for your cat. Also, it’s important to only feed your cat cooked egg whites. Raw egg whites have a protein called avidin which binds to biotin (vitamin B7),prevents absorption and could potentially cause a deficiency.

Egg Yolks

Egg yolks are nutrient dense and safe for cats to eat when cooked, but they also contain a lot of fat. If you’re actively managing your cat’s weight, extra fat from egg yolks could work against you by adding excess calories. A gram of fat has 9 calories while a gram of protein or carbohydrate only has 4 calories.

It’s possible your cat might not even like eggs! But if they seem to be begging for a taste whenever you make eggs, there are ways you can safely indulge your cat’s craving.

Safely Feeding Eggs to Your Cat

You can feed your cat hard boiled, scrambled, poached or even microwaved eggs as long as they’re fully cooked (reaching an internal temperature of 160°F). Just let the egg cool down a bit before serving.

Don’t add any seasonings to the egg that you feed your cat – not even salt. Your cat already gets the right amount of sodium from cat food, and too much salt can be toxic. Learn more about common household things that can be toxic to cats.

If your cat likes eggs, you can serve them occasionally as a meal topper or special treat, but not as a full meal.

How Much Egg Should Cats Eat?

The majority of your cat’s calorie intake should come from high-quality, nutritionally complete cat food. No more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories should come from treats—including eggs.

One large chicken egg has about 75 calories. On average, a 9-lb cat needs about 280 calories per day. Feeding too much egg (or any other treat) can easily lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Every cat is different, but as a rule of thumb only feed your cat one tablespoon of cooked egg as a meal topper or treat, no more than once or twice a week.

Can Kittens Eat Eggs?

Yes, kittens can also eat eggs as long as they’re prepared safely. But portion control is even more important for tiny kitten bodies! Because kittens don’t eat as much food as adult cats do, it’s crucial to make sure they’re getting complete nutrition from a proper diet. At most, eggs should be small, occasional treats for your growing kitten.

Potential Risks of Feeding Eggs to Your Cat

While small amounts of cooked egg are generally safe to feed, sometimes eggs can be harmful to cats.

Cats Can Be Allergic to Eggs

Just like people, some cats may be allergic to eggs, so feed a very small amount the first time and keep an eye out for common signs of a food allergy such as digestive upset or itching. Egg allergies aren’t common in people or cats, but it’s always better to be on the safe side when trying a new food.

Raw Egg Can Be Dangerous for Cats

Don’t feed raw egg to your cat. While wild or feral felines may raid bird nests, that doesn’t mean raw egg is suitable for your indoor cat’s diet. Raw egg carries the risk of harmful bacteria including Salmonella and E. coli, which are potentially dangerous for both humans and cats and can cause severe food poisoning including fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

Stella & Chewy’s raw food for cats does not contain eggs and is safe because it goes through HPP (high-pressure processing) to naturally destroy any harmful bacteria. Learn more about Stella & Chewy’s food safety and quality controls.

Too Many Treats Can Interfere with Proper Nutrition

If your cat loves egg and eats too much of it, they may eat less of their cat food and miss out on the complete and balanced nutrition they need. On the other hand, your cat may eat the eggs and still eat their regular portions of cat food, which could lead to unwanted weight gain.

Your cat relies on you to provide the right amount of healthy food. Learn more about what makes cat food healthy.

Your Cat Doesn’t Need to Eat Eggs

While eggs are nutritious and a good source of protein, they don’t provide the complete nutrition cats need. Eggs can be a tasty treat now and then, but make sure they’re part of a healthy diet.

Stella & Chewy’s offers a wide range of healthy cat food recipes, including frozen and freeze-dried raw food, wet cat food, raw-coated kibble, and meal toppers. Our Carnivore Cravings Purrfect Paté recipes include dried egg as an ingredient, which is a great way to include egg in your cat’s diet. Learn about more healthy human foods your cat can eat.

Can Cats Eat Eggs?