Can Cats Eat Eggs? (Hopefully, Because Mine Just Did)

After a scrambled egg breakfast one morning, my cat leapt onto the counter and began licking my plate. At first, I was mesmerized by how cute she was (of course), then I panicked because I realized she was ingesting eggs, something I’d never seen her eat before. Well, shoot.

Thankfully, fully cooked eggs are safe for cats to eat in small quantities! Each egg delivers all nine essential amino acids and between six and seven grams of protein. (We’re talking about chicken eggs here, as they are most common.) Since cats are carnivores and need protein-rich diets, an egg treat every now and again is a great snack. 

Make sure any eggs fed to your kitty are fully cooked. Raw eggs, especially undercooked egg whites, can cause turmoil to a cat’s insides. Salmonella poisoning is possible, as is vitamin deficiency due to the way a particular protein in raw egg whites binds to other nutrients. It’s also wise to make sure the eggs are not cooked with any other foods like onions, which are toxic to cats. Avoid salt, pepper, heavy cooking oils, dairy and butter, too. (Sounds like hard-boiled might be your best bet!)

Cats who have finicky kidneys or are overweight should not eat eggs. While a great protein source, eggs are also high in fat and cholesterol. There are other ways to ensure your cat gets enough protein, which keeps them lean and strong, than relying on eggs. If you’re concerned about how much protein your cat is getting, brands like Cat Person offer meal plans with 50 percent more protein than the feline food industry standard. 

In conclusion, eggs shouldn’t be a meal substitute for your kitties, or their primary source of protein. But, if your cat wants a post-breakfast taste of your fully cooked eggs, let her have a bite.