By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
If your cat stole a bite of your breakfast, the first question is usually what kind of egg it was. A bit of plain boiled egg is rarely a concern. A forkful of buttery scrambled egg with chives is a different matter. This guide goes through the common ways eggs are served and what each means for your cat.
Key takeaways
- Plain hard boiled or dry scrambled egg is the safest way to share egg with a healthy cat.
- Fried eggs, omelettes and egg dishes often add butter, oil, salt, cheese, onion or garlic.
- Raw eggs can carry Salmonella, and raw egg white contains avidin, which binds biotin. Cooking destroys avidin.
- The RSPCA advises against feeding cats raw or non-sterilised animal products.
- Egg is a treat, not a meal. Cornell Feline Health Center advises keeping treats to 10 to 15 percent of daily calories.
- If your cat ate egg with onion, garlic or chives, call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
Egg by egg
Hard boiled egg
This is the simplest option. Cook until both white and yolk are firm, cool, peel and chop finely. Remove all shell. Merck Veterinary Manual notes egg has the highest biologic value of common protein sources, so a little goes a long way.
Scrambled egg
Fine if cooked in a non stick pan with no butter, milk, cream, salt, pepper or herbs. Restaurant and cafe scrambled eggs are usually rich in butter and cream, which may upset a cat's stomach.
Poached egg
Fine if fully cooked. A runny yolk is partly raw, so cook it firm for your cat.
Fried egg
Fried eggs carry extra fat from oil or butter and are often salted. A small bite is unlikely to cause harm, but it is not a good choice for regular treats.
Omelettes, frittatas and quiche
These often contain onion, chives, garlic, spinach, cheese, ham or bacon, plus pastry in quiche. Merck describes cats as the species most susceptible to onion and garlic poisoning. These dishes are best kept off the menu. See garlic and cats.
Raw egg
Food Standards Australia New Zealand lists eggs among higher risk foods for Salmonella and advises cooking eggs thoroughly. Merck explains that avidin in raw egg white binds biotin and blocks its absorption. The RSPCA advises not feeding cats raw or non-sterilised foods of animal origin. See is it safe if cats have raw eggs.
How much egg is sensible?
For most cats, a teaspoon or two of plain cooked egg as an occasional treat is plenty. Cornell Feline Health Center describes obesity as the most common nutritional problem in cats and advises keeping treats within 10 to 15 percent of daily calories. Egg should never replace a complete and balanced cat food.
Cats that should check with a vet first
- Cats on a weight loss plan.
- Cats with kidney disease, liver disease or another condition managed with a prescription diet.
- Cats with a history of pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach.
- Cats on a food elimination trial.
Signs to watch for
After plain cooked egg, most cats are fine. Occasionally you may see:
- vomiting
- soft stool or diarrhoea
After raw egg or rich egg dishes, watch over the next few days for:
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- lethargy or fever
- reduced appetite
After egg dishes containing onion or garlic, watch over several days for weakness, pale gums and fast breathing.
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- ate an omelette, frittata or quiche containing onion, garlic, chives or leek
- vomits repeatedly or has bloody diarrhoea
- becomes weak or has pale gums
- is gagging or straining after eating eggshell
For poisoning advice, phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. Salt and hydrogen peroxide can cause serious harm.
How vets assess a cat after an egg dish
Your vet will ask what the dish contained, how much your cat ate and when. Have the recipe or a photo of the menu item handy. For onion or garlic exposure, your vet may recommend early decontamination and repeat blood tests. For a simple stomach upset, monitoring and a bland diet may be enough. The plan is decided by the examining vet.
FAQ
Can cats eat boiled eggs?
Yes. Plain hard boiled egg, chopped finely with the shell removed, is the simplest option.
Can cats eat fried eggs?
A small bite is unlikely to harm a healthy cat, but the extra fat and salt make it a poor regular treat.
Can cats eat runny eggs?
A runny yolk is partly raw. Cook eggs firm for your cat.
Is egg good for a cat that is not eating?
A cat that stops eating needs a vet check, especially if it has not eaten for a day or more.
Talk with a vet
If your cat ate an egg dish and you are not sure what was in it, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you work out the risk. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Salmonella in food.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. Do cats have special nutritional requirements?.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Obesity.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.