I cats eat eggs with gusto and voracity, but can this be harmful to their health? Eggs have always been identified as a nutrient-rich, healthy and genuine food: in short, an excellent item to add to our menus!
But as often happens, what is good for our health can be detrimental to our four-legged friends: let’s find out to what extent eggs can be harmful to our cats or, conversely, useful for their food sustenance!
Can cats eat eggs?
It is known that in nature cats eat eggs, when necessary, from birds’ nests. This certainly arises from their instinct as domestic predators and carnivores. It must be emphasized that over the centuries the domestication of the cat has attenuated this need while preserving the instinct.
This means that if our cat, in his daily adventures in the garden, climbs a tree and finds a bird’s nest, he won’t think about food. Cats eat eggs if necessary, but our domestic felids experience a serene food satisfaction that leads them to numb their predatory instinct which is usually satisfied for the pure pleasure of playing.
But suppose that Micio decides to attack all the bird nests, chicken coops and baskets containing raw eggs, what would happen?
Can cats eat raw eggs?
The answer can be both negative and positive. Cats eat raw eggs for taste, but this isn’t always a good idea as they are a very good one fodder of microbial growth if not controlled or stored well.
Indeed in raw eggs bacteria can harbor such as Salmonella or Escherichia Coli which can cause a gastro-enteric insult to our cats.
The conception of the cat as a predator is a bit impromptu, let’s move on instead to our adorable domestic cats who are served and revered while they look at you with their proverbial air of irresistible superiority!
Can cats eat cooked eggs?
The answer is absolutely yes! If you want to become a chef and prepare an excellent egg-based dish for your beloved feline, know that:
- Cats can eat boiled eggs;
- Cats can eat scrambled eggs.
In practice, cats eat chicken eggs in any type of version you propose.
Pay attention to the quantities and food variety. Although we are talking about a complete and nutritious food, we must not exaggerate, and above all it is always necessary to diversify the meals to give Kitty all the nutrients necessary for his health!
The cat can eat the egg: the nutrients of this food
The egg has always been a “democratic” food, accessible to all and capable of supporting man in the darkest moments of history, rising to the first protein bulwark of the poor. His food success stems from his great nutritional and organoleptic properties capable of satisfying a large part of human and animal needs.
Cats eat eggs because they contain a large part of what they need to live:
- Riboflavin
- thiamine
- Natural fats
- Amino acids
- Vitamine A, B12, D, E, K
- Lysine and other essential proteins.
- Calcium, iron, zinc and other essential minerals.
These elements are excellent for the systemic health of the cat but also for a valid bone and joint support as well as for the shine of the coat.
How to give the egg to the cat?
Cats eat eggs willingly, but it’s up to us administer them in the right way.
It is worth reiterating that:
- preferably eggs they have to be cooked in order to sanitize them from any microbial presence such as Salmonella and theEscherichia Coli.
- Il yolk is the part that brings the most benefits to the cat, while thealbums it can give some little problems especially if raw. Raw egg whites contain avidinaan enzyme that prevents the absorption of biotin, a vitamin necessary for the health of the cat’s skin and coat.
- You have to be moderate when giving the egg to the cat occasionally and in association with other foods to give the right approach of fiber (vegetables) and vitamins (fruit).
How to cook egg for the cat?
As noted earlier, cats eat eggs cooked in just about any way. The only clarification to make (and this applies in general when cooking for an animal) is to avoid excessive seasoning or to associate this food with other foods harmful to the health of the cat.
This means that there is no need to fry, salt, pepper or season with sauces the food intended for our animals as they are much more sensitive than us to this type of cuisine.