Eggs are a breakfast staple, and many pet owners enjoy eggs prepared in various ways, such as boiled, poached, scrambled, baked, or fried. They are nutritious and offer plenty of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re a cat owner and wonder if you can feed your cat raw eggs, the answer is no, you should not feed your cat raw eggs.
Read on to learn why you shouldn’t feed your cat raw eggs and what you can provide instead for a healthy treat for your kitty.
Why Should Cats Not Eat Raw Eggs?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need protein in their diets to stay healthy. Raw eggs may provide a quick boost of protein, and you would think that feeding raw eggs to your cat would give that quick boost. In reality, raw eggs are not safe for cats or other mammals due to the risk of salmonella poisoning. The FDA recommends eating pasteurized eggs if you plan to eat raw eggs because they have been heated to kill the potential salmonella they could contain. However, this is still not ideal for your kitty in case a little salmonella or E-coli is left.
Another reason cats should not eat raw eggs is that they contain a protein called avidin, which could disrupt the absorption of biotin found in most cat foods. Biotin is an important vitamin that keeps your cat’s skin and coat healthy.
What’s the Best Way to Prepare Eggs for Cats?
While raw eggs are unsafe for your cat to eat, you can feed cooked egg whites to your kitty for a little treat. We don’t recommend giving egg whites to your cat every day, as extra calories for cats can quickly turn into obesity. You should also consult with your veterinarian before feeding egg whites to your cat, especially if your cat has any medical issues, such as diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, or pancreatitis.
Also, avoid adding seasonings to the eggs you plan to feed your cat, such as salt and pepper. Seasonings can make your cat sick, so only feed the eggs plain.
If your cat is healthy, it’s okay to give your cat the occasional cooked egg in moderation. Ensure the internal temperature of the egg is at least 160 degrees before feeding.
Can I Feed My Cat Egg Yolk?
You should avoid feeding egg yolks due to the amount of fat they contain. The yolk also contains much more calories than egg whites and could be especially harmful to cats with health issues.
Tips for Keeping Your Cat Healthy and Safe
Experts agree that protein is a crucial dietary component in a cat’s diet for optimal health, but you should consult your vet before providing eggs or anything extra to your cat’s food. Ensure you feed a complete and balanced cat food, and take your kitty to the vet for yearly checkups to ensure your kitty is healthy.
Conclusion
Even though cats require mainly protein in their diet, you should avoid feeding raw eggs due to the potential threat of salmonella poisoning. Always feed your cat a complete and balanced diet, and only give extra treats, such as cooked eggs, in moderation.
Featured Image Credit: NOBUHIRO ASADA, Shutterstock
