Can cats eat eggs? Cooked, scrambled, boiled and raw

Yes, most cats can eat egg in small amounts, as long as it is fully cooked and plain. Scrambled or boiled egg with nothing added is fine as an occasional treat for a healthy cat. Raw egg is not a good idea, and cats with kidney disease, pancreatitis, food allergies or a weight problem should only have egg if their vet agrees.

Are eggs good for cats?

Egg is a high-quality animal protein that cats digest well, and most cats like the taste. Cats are obligate carnivores, so a bite of egg suits them better than most human snacks do.

That does not make egg something your cat needs. A complete cat food already supplies the protein, vitamins and minerals a cat requires, in the right balance. Egg on its own is not a balanced diet, so treat it as an extra, not a meal. Our senior pet nutrition guide explains what a complete diet has to cover.

Can cats eat scrambled eggs?

Yes, if they are scrambled plain. Cook the egg in a dry non-stick pan or with a splash of water until it is firm all the way through, then let it cool.

The problem with scrambled egg from your own plate is what goes into it. Leave out:

• Butter, oil, cream and milk, which add fat and can upset the stomach
• Salt and seasoning mixes
• Onion, garlic, chives and leeks in any form, including powders. These are toxic to cats
• Cheese, bacon, ham and sausage, which are salty and fatty

The same applies to omelets, quiche, fried egg and egg salad. If the egg was cooked with other ingredients, do not share it.

Can cats eat boiled eggs?

Yes. A hard-boiled egg is the simplest way to offer it, because nothing is added. Peel it, let it cool and crumble or chop a small piece. Make sure both the white and the yolk are set. Soft-boiled, poached or runny eggs count as undercooked.

Can cats have raw eggs?

It is best not to give them. There are two reasons.

• Bacteria. Raw egg can carry Salmonella and other bacteria. Cats can become ill, and a cat that seems well can still shed bacteria that reach the people in the house. That matters most where there are young children, older adults, or anyone pregnant or with a weak immune system.
• Avidin. Raw egg white contains a protein called avidin, which binds biotin, a B vitamin, and stops it being absorbed. A single lick will not cause a deficiency, but regular raw egg white can. Cooking inactivates avidin.

If your cat licked raw egg off the counter, it is unlikely to be a crisis. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, fever or dullness over the next few days and call your vet if any appear. Raw cake batter and cookie dough are a separate matter, because they can contain chocolate, raisins, xylitol or raw yeast dough. Our page on cats and chocolate covers that risk.

What about eggshells?

Skip them. Shell fragments are sharp, the outside of a shell can carry bacteria, and a cat on a complete food does not need extra calcium. Adding a calcium source on your own can unbalance the diet. If you think your cat needs a supplement, that is a question for the vet.

How much egg can a cat have?

A small bite or two, now and then. A cat is a small animal, and a whole egg is a large share of the calories it needs in a day. A common rule of thumb is to keep all treats together to about a tenth of daily calories, so the rest comes from complete food.

The first time, offer a pea-sized piece and wait a day. Egg is one of the foods cats can be allergic to. Stop and call your vet if you see vomiting, diarrhea, itching or scratching around the face and ears.

Egg for older cats

Older cats often lose muscle and appetite, and a little warm cooked egg can tempt a cat that is being picky. Used that way it can be helpful. It does not solve the reason the cat stopped eating. See our guides to why an old cat is not eating and weight loss in older cats, because both need a vet visit and not a change of menu.

Ask your vet before giving egg if your cat has any of these:

• Kidney disease. Egg yolk is high in phosphorus, which is the nutrient kidney diets restrict most carefully. Egg white has much less, but whether either fits depends on bloodwork. Read what to feed a cat with kidney disease first.
• Pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach. The yolk is fatty, and rich extras can set off a flare in some cats.
• Excess weight. Egg is calorie-dense for its size. See our guide to weight management for senior pets.
• Diabetes. A steady, consistent diet matters, so check before adding anything.
• A prescription or food-trial diet. Even small extras can undo the point of it.

Early kidney disease often has no outward signs in an older cat. If yours has not had bloodwork recently, mention egg treats at the next checkup.

Call the vet today if

• Your cat ate egg cooked with onion, garlic, chives or leeks. Call your vet or an animal poison control line now.
• Your cat vomits more than once or twice, or has diarrhea that lasts more than a day or contains blood.
• You see swelling of the face, hives, sudden intense itching or any trouble breathing. Treat breathing trouble as an emergency.
• Your cat ate raw egg and then becomes dull, feverish or stops eating.
• Your cat is gagging, pawing at the mouth or seems to have shell stuck in the mouth or throat.
• Your cat has not eaten for a day, whatever the cause. Cats that stop eating can become seriously ill quickly.

This article is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Plain cooked egg suits many healthy cats as an occasional treat, but it is not right for every cat, especially one with kidney disease, pancreatitis, diabetes or food allergies. Ask your veterinarian before adding egg or any new food to your cat's diet.