This is a frequently asked question that can our cats eat eggs?
The chicken egg is one of the most present foods in the feeding of human beings. For the benefits that it offers for the health and for its versatility in the kitchen that allows elaborating an infinity of sweet and salty recipes.
It is a very economical source of pure proteins. which does not have considerable levels of carbohydrates and sugars. Being also an optimal ally of those who need or want to lose weight healthily.
- Read Also: 10 human foods which your dogs can eat also
While science is breaking down many myths about eggs and demonstrating their benefits. There are still many tutors who wonder if cats can eat eggs, or if eating this food is dangerous for feline health. Therefore, in Expert Animal, we tell you if the egg can be a beneficial food for cats. And we show you the precautions that we should have if we decide to incorporate this food in the diet of our cats.
Nutritional composition of the chicken egg
Before explaining if cats can eat eggs or not?. You must know the nutritional composition of this food. So that you can understand its possible nutritional benefits for our cats. As well as the precautions we should take when introducing it into your diet. According to the USDA database, 100 grams of whole, raw and fresh chicken eggs contain the following nutrients:
- Energy: 143 kcal
- Water: 76.15 g
- Protein: 12.56 g [ Read: How Much Proteins In Egg ]
- Total Fats: 9.51 g
- Vitamin K: 0.3 µg
- Carbohydrates: 0.72 g
- Vitamin B3 (niacin or vitamin PP): 0.07 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.17 mg
- Total sugars: 0.53 g
- Total fiber: 0.0 g
- Vitamin A: 140 μg
- Vitamin C: 0.0 mg
- Calcium: 56 mg
- Iron: 1.75 mg
- Magnesium: 12 mg
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0.04 mg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.45 mg
- Phosphorus: 198 mg
- Potassium: 138 mg
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Zinc: 1.29 mg
- Vitamin B12: 0.89 µg
- Folate: 47 µg
- Vitamin D: 82 IU
- Vitamin E: 1.05 mg
Is it good to give eggs to cats for eating?
As we have seen in the previous nutritional composition, the egg consists of a very good source of lean and pure proteins. Since it contains almost zero amounts of carbohydrates and total sugars, with a moderate amount of fat. Almost all of the egg’s protein intake is in the white, while the lipid molecules are concentrated in the yolk. Precisely these two macronutrients must be the energy pillars of the nutrition of our felines. Taking into account that they are strictly carnivorous animals (and not omnivorous like us).
In this sense, it is important to emphasize that egg protein is mostly made up of essential amino acids. That is those amino acids that the cat does not naturally synthesize in its organism and needs to obtain from external sources through its diet. Regarding the old bad reputation of eggs linked to excessive cholesterol intake, we must clarify that the moderate consumption of this food is safe for your cat and will not raise your cholesterol levels or lead to weight gain.
Besides, we must emphasize that the egg also shows interesting contributions of essential minerals. Minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and potassium, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and the B complex. This means that, in addition to contributing to the formation and strengthening of the muscles and bones of our feline. The egg also helps them maintain a healthy immune system, which is essential to prevent all kinds of diseases.
In addition to offering all these benefits to the health of our cats, eggs are also cheap and easy-to-find foods.
Precautions when offering eggs to our cats
One of the greatest concerns of the tutors when incorporating the egg in the diet of their cats is whether they should offer it raw or cooked. Although many experts and scholars of the BARF diet for cats highlight the benefits of providing raw foods to felines, thus preserving all their enzymes and nutritional properties, we must be very sure about the origin of the eggs we acquire to incorporate them raw in the feeding of our minions.
Raw eggs can contain a bacterium that is very dangerous to the health of our cats, which is salmonella. If we get eggs of organic origin, from birds with a controlled and also organic diet, we reduce considerably the risk of contamination. However, we still have to wash the eggs very well only with running water before breaking the shell.
But attention! We should only wash the eggs when using them, just before breaking them. As the eggshell is a porous surface, if we wash it well in advance and let them stand, we can favor the bacteria present in the eggshell to penetrate inside, thus contaminating the white and yolk.
Can cats eat cooked eggs?
Yes, Your cats can eat cooked eggs if we do not have the possibility of obtaining eggs of organic origin, or we are not sure about the origin of the eggs we acquire, the best thing will be to offer them cooked to our poultry. Cooking at high temperatures can eliminate many of the possible pathogens present in this food. In this way, you can ensure that egg consumption is safe for your feline companion.
On the other hand, it is also important to highlight that raw eggs contain a protein called avidin. Although it is not a toxic substance for cats, this protein acts as an antinutrient, preventing your body from properly absorbing biotin (also known as vitamin H).
Although to cause a deficiency of biotin in the cat’s organism it is necessary to consume high doses of the raw egg (which is not recommended), we can simply cancel out this unnecessary risk by cooking the eggs before incorporating them into the diet of our cats. Cooking denatures avidin, which inhibits its action as an antinutrient. That is, your cat will be able to assimilate all the nutrients from the cooked egg more easily and safely.
Is there a safe dose that I must respect when giving my cat an egg?
Moderate egg consumption can be very beneficial for our cats, but we must respect a safe dose and frequency so that this food is not harmful to your health. As popular wisdom already states, everything in excess does wrong …
In general, it is recommended to offer eggs to cats only once or twice a week, combining it with other foods beneficial to the cat’s health. However, no single and predetermined dose for all cats, but the safe dose of the egg must be adequate according to the size, weight, age, and health status of each cat, also considering the purpose of consuming this food.
We must also emphasize that the egg, however much it offers lean and beneficial proteins, should not substitute meat in the diet of felines. As we have mentioned, cats are strictly carnivorous animals, so meat should be their main food and source of protein, fat, and other nutrients.
Therefore, you must consult a veterinarian to choose the most appropriate food according to the nutritional requirements of your pussy. The professional can guide you concerning the introduction of the egg and other foods in the feeding of your cat, always advising you on the best form and the most appropriate administration doses to obtain a positive impact on the health of your cat.
The Bottom Line
It will be easy for you now to decide that your cats can eat eggs but in moderation.
