Are eggs good for cats?
Can we feed our mustachioed friends eggs? The answer is yes, but not just like that.
We explain why.
What is the nutritional composition of eggs?
The nutritional composition of eggs has many virtues:
- Protein: An egg weighing around 60g contains 7-8g of protein, equivalent to 1/5 of the human daily requirement of animal protein.
- Vitamins and trace elements: These are essential for building bones, teeth and hair.
- Unsaturated fatty acids: Sources of lipids and omega-3, they provide the body with good fats.
- Antioxidants: They reduce the risk of various diseases.
What does a cat need to eat?
To stay in good health, cats need a balanced diet that meets their energy and nutritional requirements.
- Water: Before talking about food, cats need fresh water available to them at all times, in a clean bowl. Drinking enough water is essential to dilute its urine and prevent the formation of kidney stones.
- Proteins and amino acids: Indispensable for a carnivore, proteins represent 30 to 40% of its diet to ensure it is in good general physical condition.
- Carbohydrates and fats: Sources of energy, they must be present in the diet, but in a controlled and sparing manner.
- Vitamins: A, B, D, E, K and H.
- Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, zinc, magnesium, etc.
Is it a good idea to give your cat eggs?
By comparing the list of nutrients in eggs with the list of a cat’s dietary requirements, it’s relatively easy to see that eating eggs is good for a cat’s health. Eggs contain most of the nutrients required for a balanced diet.
How much and in what form should you give your cat eggs?
Be careful how much you give and how often. An egg should be seen as a treat for your cat, not as a complete meal. Don’t give your cat a whole egg! The calorie content of an egg is far too high for your cat: around 90 calories, or more than half his daily requirement. Half an egg a week (spread over 5 to 7 days) will be more than enough for a balanced diet.
Note also that it’s essential to give cooked eggs to cats. Raw eggs can contain bacteria such as salmonella, causing nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea and other problems that can sometimes have very serious consequences for our moustachioed friends.
Do cats like eggs?
That’s hard to say as it depends on your pet. Cats are known to be both fussy eaters and demanding of a varied diet. To check whether your cat likes eggs, see how it reacts to a small portion of cooked eggs.
