Food safety
Can Cats Eat Scrambled Eggs? Yes, Plain and Fully Cooked
Yes, cats can eat scrambled eggs, as long as they are fully cooked and plain. Egg is an animal protein, which suits a cat's carnivore diet, and cooking removes the Salmonella risk and the avidin in raw egg white that the ASPCA warns can interfere with vitamin absorption. Make the eggs in a dry nonstick pan without butter, milk, cheese, salt, pepper, onion or chives, let them cool, and offer a teaspoon or two as a treat.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read2 sources
Why cooked egg suits cats
Cornell's Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores and rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Egg is one of them, with high-quality protein, fat and amino acids, so it is one of the more natural people foods to share.
Cooking matters. The ASPCA warns that raw eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli, and that raw egg white contains an enzyme that interferes with absorption of a B vitamin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. Fully scrambled egg removes both concerns.
What to leave out of your cat's eggs
The way most people scramble eggs is the problem, not the egg. Butter and oil add fat that can upset a cat's stomach, milk and cream add lactose that many cats cannot digest, and Cornell notes milk is not generally recommended for cats.
Salt, pepper, cheese and hot sauce are unnecessary, and onion, garlic and chives are unsafe for cats, which are more sensitive to them than dogs are. Leftover breakfast scrambles with ham, sausage or vegetables are best kept for the people at the table.
How to make scrambled eggs for a cat
Crack one egg into a bowl and whisk it with a splash of water if you like, nothing else. Cook it in a nonstick pan over low heat, stirring until there is no runny or glossy egg left. Let it cool to lukewarm or room temperature.
Break the egg into small, soft pieces and offer a portion by hand or on a plate. Cover and refrigerate the rest and use it within a day or two. Hard-boiled egg, chopped finely, is another easy way to serve it.
How much scrambled egg can a cat have?
A teaspoon to a tablespoon of scrambled egg is a treat-sized portion for an average adult cat, once or twice a week. A whole egg is roughly 70 to 80 calories, which is a large share of a cat's daily intake, so one egg can be split over several treats.
Cornell suggests treats should not exceed 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 extras like egg without checking with a vet.
A feeding mat under a ceramic bowl keeps any shared food in one place and easy to clean up.
Kittens and scrambled eggs
Kittens can have a small taste of plain, fully cooked scrambled egg once they are eating solid kitten food. Keep it to a fingertip amount at first, because new foods are the most common cause of loose stools in young cats.
Kittens need a complete kitten food to grow properly, so egg should stay an occasional extra. Never give raw egg to a kitten, whose immune system is less able to cope with bacteria such as Salmonella.
Signs egg disagreed with your cat and when to call a vet
Most cats handle a little cooked egg well. A few vomit or get a soft stool, especially if the egg was cooked with butter or milk or the portion was large. These signs usually show within a few hours and settle within a day.
Food allergies to egg do occur in cats and may show as itchy skin, over-grooming, ear problems or ongoing digestive upset. Call your vet if vomiting is repeated, diarrhea lasts beyond 24 hours, your cat stops eating, or you notice new itching after adding egg.
Other protein treats for cats
Plain cooked chicken or turkey breast without skin or seasoning, small flakes of plain cooked fish and freeze-dried meat treats made for cats are all good alternatives. Rotating them keeps treats interesting without overdoing any one food.
If you are looking for ways to add variety to a cat's diet as a whole rather than as a treat, ask your vet. A complete commercial food is formulated to cover every nutrient a cat needs.
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 scrambled eggs with milk?
It is better to leave the milk out. Many cats are lactose intolerant, and Cornell notes milk is not generally recommended for cats. A splash of water gives soft, fluffy eggs without the dairy.
Can cats eat scrambled eggs every day?
A small amount daily is unlikely to harm a healthy cat, but egg adds calories and is not a complete diet. Once or twice a week, in teaspoon-sized portions, is a better habit for most cats.
Can cats eat scrambled eggs with butter?
A little butter is not toxic, but the extra fat can cause vomiting or diarrhea in some cats. Cook your cat's portion in a dry nonstick pan instead, before adding butter for yourself.
Can cats eat egg yolk?
Yes, cooked egg yolk is safe and rich in fat and nutrients. Because it is calorie-dense, keep the portion small. Raw yolk should be avoided because of the risk of Salmonella.
Are scrambled eggs good for a sick cat?
Plain egg is sometimes used to tempt a cat's appetite, but a cat that is vomiting, has diarrhea or will not eat needs a vet first. Ask your vet what to offer while your cat recovers.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
