Can Cats Eat Eggs? Should Kittens Eat Eggs?

Cat with eggs — Egg yolks should be fully cooked before you give them to cats (if you give them eggs at all). okeykat / Shutterstock

Can cats eat eggs? Yes, they can — but that doesn’t mean you should go cracking one into your feline friend’s food bowl every morning.

Eggs offer some beneficial nutrients, but they don't provide a complete and balanced diet for cats. So while cats can eat eggs, moderation and preparation are key.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are built to get most nutrients from animal protein. Eggs, especially fully cooked ones, provide essential amino acids that help with muscle maintenance and other bodily functions. But feeding eggs to your cat entails a few caveats.

Cooked Eggs Are Best

Cat eating eggs and vegetables — We get it, your cat is always sniffing your human food. That doesn't mean it can replace their cat food. Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava / Shutterstock

If you're going to add eggs to your cat's diet, stick to cooked eggs — boiled, scrambled, or poached — with no added oils, butter, or seasonings.

Fully cooked eggs reduce the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can be present in raw or undercooked eggs. Even cooked egg whites are fine for most cats, but always serve eggs plain.

Raw Eggs Can Be Risky

Cat eatting liquid yolk of boiled egg — You're taking a risk if you're feeding your cat raw eggs, or even undercooked ones. Vladimir Zhupanenko / Shutterstock

Feeding raw eggs to cats introduces two main problems. First, raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can interfere with biotin absorption — an essential B vitamin. Second, raw or undercooked eggs may contain harmful bacteria.

While some pet parents argue that cats eat raw eggs in the wild, domesticated cats have different immune systems and diets. Wild cats may eat raw eggs, but feeding raw eggs to pet cats can expose them to harmful bacteria and nutrient imbalances.

Are Eggs Good for Cats?

Eggs can be good for cats as an occasional treat but shouldn’t replace their complete and balanced diet.

According to veterinarians, eggs should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories. That’s about 1 tablespoon of scrambled egg for an average adult cat. Too much egg means too much fat and can contribute to overweight cats.

What About Kittens and Eggshells?

Kittens could potentially eat eggs, but their nutritional needs are more sensitive (as are their immune systems). Don’t offer eggs as a kitten’s sole source of nutrition.

And while cats can eat eggshells in powdered form as a calcium supplement, it's safer to stick with cat food formulated to include all the nutrients they need.

Signs of Egg Allergies

Most cats can eat eggs without issue, but some may develop egg allergies. Symptoms might include itchy skin, ear infections, or gastrointestinal upset. If your cat likes eggs but shows any of these signs, it’s time to stop and talk to your vet.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.