Can Cats Eat Eggs?

Yes, cats can eat eggs, as long as they’re fully cooked and completely plain. A little scrambled or hard-boiled egg is a good source of protein, but raw egg can carry harmful bacteria and can interfere with a vitamin your cat needs.

Why cooked egg is okay for cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they depend on nutrients from animal foods to stay healthy. Eggs fit that bill. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that egg protein has the highest “biologic value” of any protein, a measure of how well the body can use it. Eggs also contain arachidonic acid, a fatty acid cats have to get from animal fat because they can’t make enough of it from plant oils.

So a bit of plain cooked egg isn’t junk food for a cat. It’s just not a complete diet on its own.

Why raw eggs are a problem

There are two separate concerns with raw eggs.

Bacteria. According to the ASPCA, raw eggs, like raw meat, can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. These can make pets sick, and they can make the people handling the food sick too. Merck notes that food needs to reach at least 165°F (74°C) to kill bacteria, parasitic worms, and protozoa, which is why thorough cooking matters.

Avidin and biotin. Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin. Avidin latches onto biotin, a B vitamin, and stops your cat’s gut from absorbing it. Cooking destroys avidin, so this is only a raw-egg issue. Merck lists the signs of biotin deficiency as poor growth, skin inflammation, lethargy, and nerve problems, and the ASPCA mentions skin and coat problems. Interestingly, the yolk itself is a good source of biotin. It’s the raw white that causes the trouble.

Cornell’s Feline Health Center also advises against raw diets for cats in general, because they can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites without offering a proven health benefit.

How to serve eggs safely

• Cook it fully. Hard-boiled or scrambled are the easiest options. Make sure the white and yolk are both firm.
• Keep it plain. Cook the portion for your cat separately, with no butter, oil, milk, cheese, salt, or spices.
• Cool it down and cut it into small, bite-size pieces.
• Watch for tummy trouble the first time, as with any new food. Stop if your cat vomits or gets diarrhea, and call your vet if it doesn’t settle quickly.

Avoid giving your cat eggs from your own plate. Scrambled eggs and omelets often include milk or cheese, which can cause diarrhea in cats because most pets don’t have much of the enzyme needed to digest lactose. They may also include onion, garlic, or chives, which can damage red blood cells. The ASPCA notes that cats are more sensitive to these than dogs are.

What if my cat ate raw egg?

Raw egg isn’t poisonous the way onions or lilies are. The worries are germs and, over time, biotin. Keep an eye on your cat over the next day or two. Call your vet if you see vomiting, diarrhea, not eating, or unusual tiredness. Clean up carefully and wash your hands, since Salmonella and E. coli can spread to people too.

The biotin problem builds up when raw egg white is fed regularly, so the bigger concern is making raw egg a habit, not a one-time accident.

How much egg can a cat have?

Veterinary sources don’t give a specific egg allowance for cats, so treat it like any other snack. Cornell’s guideline is that treats shouldn’t make up more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories. A few small bites of plain cooked egg now and then fits easily inside that.

What eggs shouldn’t do is replace your cat’s regular food. International Cat Care points out that home-prepared diets are very hard to balance for cats, and recommends feeding a commercial food labeled “complete,” which is formulated to meet all of a cat’s nutritional needs. If your cat has a health condition or is on a special diet, ask your vet before adding eggs.

Other treats to try

Store-bought cat treats are an easy option. Tuna is a popular people-food treat too, but it comes with its own caveats, covered in our guide to whether cats can eat tuna.

For the foods your cat should never have, see our list of foods that are toxic to cats.