Despite the fact that they may toy with their food and even bring you a dead mouse or three, there are certain things that they will eat, and they won’t eat.
Further to this, there are things that they can eat, and they absolutely can’t eat because it poses a danger to them.
That brings us onto the subject of our guide – can cats eat eggs? It’s time that cat owners were versed in the many benefits of adding eggs into your cat’s daily meal routine.
Let’s explore.
So, Are Eggs Good For Cats?
Generally speaking, there are benefits of adding eggs into your cat’s diet.
There are a few key things that you have to abide by. The egg has got to be cooked. This is the most important point that we will stress. If the egg is not cooked, your feline friend could potentially pick up serious diseases and even die.
Not only this, but they won’t get the same nutritional value from the egg and therefore negate the whole point of eating it if it is raw.
The main reason behind eating an egg for a cat is to satisfy their omnivorous nature and get the animal protein they require into their body.
Eggs are a great thing for cats to eat because they are absolutely packed with healthy proteins. These healthy proteins are an essential and integral part of your cat’s body requirements.
Eggs can give your cat healthier bones, healthier coats, and healthier claws. A source of protein is really essential for strength. And, we all know that cats need their strength.
The Benefits Of An Egg Diet For Cats: Finer Details
There’s a bit more to it than the simple advantage of providing your cat with their daily protein fix, though.
So, what else is it that eggs can provide for your pet? Truth be told, eggs are an excellent source of vitamins all around. Here is a list of everything an egg can do for your cat.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be found in the egg yolk.
Cats need vitamin A because it supports their muscles, skin health, shiny coat, heart health, and the central nervous system.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12’s main function is to properly maintain and look after the digestive system of your pet.
It helps keep the digestive system on track and functioning as it should. It also increases brain function and is great for the feline immune system.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2, sometimes known as Riboflavin, is important for the fighting of diseases and sickness.
It is a key player in the production of antibodies and red blood cells.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1, sometimes known as Thiamine, focuses on your cat’s metabolism rates and functions. More specifically, carbohydrates.
Without proper levels of B1, cats can become anorexic and struggle to keep the correct amount of food in their bodies at all. It can also affect other organs, such as the brain.
Vitamin D
Cats are unable to produce vitamin D of their own volition, so they need it supplemented into their diet.
Why? Because without it, they would suffer from brittle and broken and weak bone structures and muscles. Vitamin D is really essential for healthy bone growth and support.
Are Eggs Ever Not Good For Cats?
Calories And Fat
Like any food, the egg portion of your cat’s diet should be controlled in a way that is healthy for the animal.
There are several reasons why your cat shouldn’t have too many eggs. The prime reason is their calorie and fat content.
Eggs have a higher calorie content that you can’t control. They are also high in fat.
While most of these are good and healthy fats, some of them are not. So, you don’t want your cat to be exposed to too much of this.
The consequences of too many eggs include overweight pets and pets with an increased risk of heart disease and other obesity related problems.
So, it’s best to have an egg as a part of a wider balanced diet or an occasional treat.
Allergy Risk
When introducing any new food, you always run the risk of an allergic reaction. Lots of human foods can be damaging to a cat.
Try out the egg incrementally as a new addition to your pet’s diet. You should be able to tell pretty rapidly if your cat is going to have any consequential, significant allergic reaction to the egg.
They can also be allergic to different parts of the egg. For example, it is possible to have an egg yolk allergy but be fine. And, similarly possible to be allergic to egg white but have no issue at all processing egg yolk.
This is also worth testing on your cat to avoid any allergy related sickness.
Signs of allergic reaction that are cause for concern include irregular scratching or rashes, continued sickness, lethargy, for example, then it is time to take the egg away.
How Many Eggs Are Too Many Eggs?
To be honest, there’s a really simple method here.
Any more than one egg a day is probably a bad idea for your cat. And one egg a day is too much for cats that are particularly inactive, or lazy.
Bed dwellers, for example. Nighttime hunters can handle more calories than cats that prefer indoor time.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
