Food safety
Can Cats Eat Boiled Eggs? Yes — Hard-Boiled and Chopped
Yes, cats can eat boiled eggs, and a hard-boiled egg is one of the simplest people foods to share with a cat. Boiling cooks the egg without butter or oil, and cooking it firm removes the Salmonella risk and the raw-white avidin the ASPCA warns about. Peel it, chop the white and yolk into small pieces, and serve a teaspoon or two with no salt, pepper or mayonnaise. Soft-boiled and runny eggs are best avoided, and egg should stay a treat, not a meal.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why a hard-boiled egg suits a cat
Cornell's Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Egg is animal protein with fat and amino acids, and a boiled egg delivers it with nothing added, which is why it is a favorite treat for many cats.
Boiling is also convenient. A batch of eggs in the fridge gives you ready-portioned treats for several days, and the firm texture is easy to chop into pieces small enough for any cat.
Soft-boiled, runny and raw eggs
The ASPCA warns that raw eggs can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and that raw egg white contains an enzyme that interferes with absorption of a B vitamin, leading to skin and coat problems. A soft-boiled egg with a runny yolk or white has not been heated enough to be reliably safe.
Boil eggs for long enough that both the white and yolk are fully set, usually ten minutes or so once the water returns to a boil. Cornell also advises against raw diets for cats because of bacteria and parasites that can infect cats and people.
How to prepare a boiled egg for your cat
Boil the egg until hard, cool it in cold water and peel it completely. Chop the white and yolk into pieces about the size of a pea, or mash them with a fork. Serve at room temperature on a clean plate.
Keep it plain. Deviled eggs, egg salad and seasoned eggs contain mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, onion or chives, which a cat should not eat. Refrigerate the rest of the egg and use it within a few days.
A feeding mat under a ceramic bowl keeps any shared food in one place and easy to clean up.
How much boiled egg can a cat eat?
About a teaspoon to a tablespoon of chopped hard-boiled egg is a treat-sized portion for an average adult cat, once or twice a week. A whole egg is too much for one sitting, so spread it over several days or share it between cats.
Cornell suggests treats should not go beyond 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories. Cats that are overweight, have kidney disease or eat a prescription diet should not get egg without their vet's agreement.
Kittens and boiled eggs
Once a kitten is eating solid kitten food well, a pinch of finely mashed hard-boiled egg can be offered as an occasional extra. Start with a tiny amount, because new foods often loosen a kitten's stool.
Kittens need a complete kitten food for growth, so egg should stay a small taste rather than a regular addition. Never give a kitten raw or runny egg, since their immune systems handle bacteria less well than an adult's.
Signs egg disagreed with your cat and when to call a vet
Most cats handle a little boiled egg without trouble. Too much at once can cause vomiting, gas or a soft stool within a few hours, which usually settles within a day. Some cats have a food allergy to egg, which can show as itching, over-grooming or ear problems over weeks.
Call your vet if vomiting is repeated, diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, your cat stops eating, or you notice new itching or skin changes after adding egg. Cats that stop eating can become seriously ill quickly, so do not wait several days.
Can cats eat the eggshell?
It is best not to feed eggshell. Shell pieces are sharp, can irritate the mouth and gut, and may carry bacteria on the outside. Peel the egg fully and throw the shell away where your cat cannot reach it.
Calcium for cats should come from a complete cat food rather than homemade supplements, which are easy to get wrong. If you are worried about your cat's diet, ask your vet before adding anything.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can cats eat hard-boiled egg yolk?
Yes. Fully cooked yolk is safe and rich in fat and nutrients, so keep the portion small. Mash it and mix with a little chopped white for a balanced bite.
Can cats eat boiled egg whites?
Yes. Cooked egg white is lean protein, and cooking deactivates the avidin found in raw white. Chop it small and serve plain as an occasional treat.
Can cats eat boiled eggs every day?
It is better not to. Daily egg adds calories and can unbalance a complete diet. A teaspoon or two once or twice a week is a sensible habit for most healthy cats.
Can cats eat deviled eggs?
No. Deviled eggs contain mayonnaise, mustard, salt and spices, and sometimes onion or chives, which are unsafe for cats. Share plain chopped hard-boiled egg instead.
Are boiled eggs good for cats?
Plain boiled egg is a nutritious treat that fits a cat's meat-based diet. It does not replace a complete cat food, and it is not a treatment for any illness.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
