For humans, eggs have many health benefits and are a part of most people’s regular diets. We bake them in cakes, scramble them for breakfast, and fry them for sandwiches. When it comes to feeding our pets, however, there is often the question: Is the same food that’s good for me good for my pet? Our pets are our family, and we want always to do what’s best for them. It can be hard to resist offering up “human food” as a treat, but oftentimes, things that are treats for us are dangerous for our pets. As it turns out, eggs can be both good and bad; it all depends on how you go about it.

The very same nutrients and vitamins that are healthful for humans in eggs are beneficial to cats. Eggs are often used in store-bought cat food because they are a “complete protein”. This means that every B vitamin, as well as amino acids, are found in eggs. Protein aids in muscle development, tissue repair, and strengthens hair. One thing to look out for when feeding eggs to cats is possible allergies. While egg allergies are less common in felines than humans, they do occur. It is important to keep an eye on your pet when first introducing eggs to be sure there is no unusual reaction.

The next question people have about eggs: Should they be given cooked or raw? In the wild cats will often eat bird eggs raw, and they have the added benefit of having more nutrients when they are raw versus cooked. However, feeding raw eggs to your cat is not a good idea. The same bacteria that is harmful to humans; salmonella and E. coli are also dangerous for pets. Although not every raw egg will lead to an infection, the possibility is there and is not worth the risk. Secondly, eggs are full of vitamin B which helps keep cats energetic and happy, helps with healthy coats and skin, and can even help to prevent some cancers. There is a protein called avidin that inhibits the absorption of vitamin B. This can cause skin and coat issues in cats. Because of these reasons eggs should always be cooked when given to pets.

Another surprising benefit of eggs is the calcium found in eggshells. Shells can be crushed and sprinkled on dry cat food or even served right along with the egg. The easiest way to achieve this is to simply hard-boil the egg, then chop it up into small pieces shell and all before giving it to your cat. The calcium helps strengthen bones and keeps teeth healthy. Hard-boiling the egg also means no extra fats from butter or oil are added in the cooking process.

Along with Protein, vitamin B, and calcium; numerous other minerals and nutrients are found in eggs that are extremely beneficial. Vitamin D, iodine, selenium, iron, and choline are all contained in eggs. While they are extremely good for cats, eggs should also be fed in moderation as a treat. The maximum recommendation is one egg per day. This is because eggs cannot be the sole source of food for a cat. More than one egg per day would rob them of the other nutrients they need to get from other food sources.

At the end of the day, the conclusion that eggs are absolutely good for cats is an easy one to make. Always be sure eggs are fully cooked to prevent illness. Watch for allergy signs especially when first introducing eggs. Cats are carnivorous, and this excellent source of protein is right in their wheelhouse of foods. They’ve been eating them in the wild for ages and still do to this day. Our domesticated cats can still enjoy eggs as a part of a balanced diet.