Can Cats Eat Eggs?

The bottom line first: yes, a small amount of fully cooked egg is fine. Raw eggs and seasoned eggs are not.

Eggs are not toxic to cats

Eggs are not a toxic food for cats the way onions or grapes are. In fact, cats are obligate carnivores and use animal protein well, and eggs are an easily digestible source of high-quality protein and amino acids — a perfectly reasonable ingredient for an occasional treat.

That said, "safe to feed" and "safe to feed a lot of" are two different things. Complete commercial cat food is already balanced for everything a cat needs, so adding egg often tips that balance and simply adds calories. Think of egg strictly as an occasional treat.

Raw eggs are off limits — for two reasons

Bacterial infection — raw eggs can carry salmonella or E. coli. An infection can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and lethargy, and it's especially risky for kittens, senior cats, and cats with weakened immune systems. These bacteria can also spread to people in the household.
Avidin in raw egg white — raw egg white contains a protein called avidin that interferes with the absorption of biotin (vitamin B7). A biotin shortfall can show up as rough skin or a dull coat. The good news: avidin is deactivated by heat, so cooking removes this problem entirely.

For the same reason, soft-boiled or poached eggs with runny whites or yolks aren't recommended either. Hard-boiled, or scrambled with no oil until fully set, is the safest form.

How to serve it

Cook it all the way through — a hard-boiled egg is the simplest option.
Add nothing at all — no salt, soy sauce, butter, cooking oil, or milk. Above all, the onion, scallion, and garlic that commonly go into egg dishes for people are toxic to cats. That's exactly why sharing an omelette or steamed egg from your own plate is risky.
Break it into small pieces — mash it finely and put a little on top of the food, or offer it by hand, so it's easy to swallow.
Skip the shell — you'll see suggestions to grind eggshell as a calcium supplement, but between the bacteria risk and the sharp fragments, it isn't something to do at home on your own.

How much can you give?

As a rule, treats shouldn't make up more than 10% of a cat's daily caloric needs. One egg (about 50 g) is roughly 70–80 kcal — close to a third of the daily calories of a 4 kg adult cat. So a whole egg in one sitting is far too much.

For an adult cat, about a tablespoon of cooked egg (a quarter of an egg or less) once or twice a week is a sensible ceiling. If the fat is a concern, skipping the yolk and offering mostly white is the lighter option. To find out your own cat's daily calorie needs, enter their weight and activity level in our cat food portion calculator. If it's the first time, start with a fingernail-sized piece and watch for vomiting or diarrhea over the next day.

Which cats should be careful

Egg is one of the more common food allergens in cats. If your cat has itching, red skin, or frequently loose stools, it's better not to introduce it — and if your cat is already on an elimination diet or allergy workup, talk to your vet first. Overweight cats and cats with a history of pancreatitis may struggle with the fat in the yolk, and cats with kidney disease need their overall protein intake managed, so egg shouldn't be added on your own. Not sure whether another food is safe? Check our cat toxic food checker first.

Which is better for cats, egg white or yolk?

Cooked egg white is the safer everyday choice. It's mostly protein with almost no fat, so it adds fewer calories, while the yolk is more nutrient-dense but much higher in fat and calories — a concern for overweight cats or cats at risk of pancreatitis. Note that raw egg white contains avidin, which blocks biotin absorption, so whites and yolks alike must be fully cooked.

My cat licked some raw egg. Do I need to go to the vet right away?

A single small lick usually passes without trouble. Still, because of the risk of salmonella or E. coli, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or loss of appetite over the next day or two. If any of those appear — or if your cat is a kitten, a senior, or has a chronic condition — call your vet right away rather than waiting it out.

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This content is general information and does not replace veterinary diagnosis. For an accurate diagnosis or feeding decision, consult your veterinarian.