Can cats eat eggs? Here's how the food fits in your feline's diet.
As a pet owner, one of the last things you want to happen is your animal eating something they're not supposed to. But it happens a lot. You're just enjoying a meal and all of a sudden, food slips off the table. Your pet scurries to grab a bite and before you can stop them, they've gobbled it down.
Some human foods are OK for animal consumption, such as bananas or watermelon, but others, like grapes, are not.
For humans, eggs are considered a "superfood" due to their many health benefits. But can your cat eggs?
Can cats eat eggs?
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Cats are "obligate carnivores," meaning in order to stay healthy a cat's diet is primarily protein, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Eggs are a great source of protein, especially the whites. Cats may enjoy eggs, but the protein should be given in moderation, just like any other human food.
Are eggs good for cats?
Eggs can be a healthy snack alternative for cats. The food is rich in nutrients, including amino acids, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
Taurine is one of several amino acids found in eggs. It helps improve vision, digestion and heart function, as well as sustaining healthy pregnancy and fetal development for cats.
Healthy fats in eggs – such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – benefit brain, nervous and heart health, Purina reports.
There are a series of vitamins found in eggs, including vitamins A, B12, D, E, biotin, riboflavin and thiamine. Each provides different health benefits for cats. For example, biotin helps your cat maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat, Hill's Pet Nutrition reports.
Minerals – such as iron, selenium and zinc – promote "hemoglobin production, immune health and collagen synthesis," according to Purina.
How to feed eggs to cats
When feeding your cat eggs, it is important to cook them. You should never feed your cat raw eggs.
Similar to humans, cats can get foodborne illness – such as salmonella or E. Coli – when consuming raw eggs, Hill's Pet reports. Symptoms of these illnesses include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. If not treated properly, they could be fatal.
Additionally, the protein avidin found in raw egg whites obstructs the absorption of biotin, according to Chewy.
If you choose to feed your cat eggs, thoroughly cook them. Cooking eggs denatures avidin and kills bacteria.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can cats eat eggs? How to safely feed your pet the protein-rich food
