Can cats eat eggs? Yes, cooked and in small amounts
By the Photoshoot Pets team · Updated November 1, 2026
You’re scrambling eggs on a slow Sunday morning, and your cat, who ignores you most of the week, has suddenly appeared on the counter with a very interested expression. Can cats eat eggs? Yes. Plain cooked egg is a safe little treat for most cats. Raw egg is the one to avoid.
Are eggs good for cats?
Cats are meat eaters through and through, and egg is an animal protein, so it suits them better than most of the human snacks they try to steal. Cooked egg offers protein, some fat and a range of vitamins and minerals, and it’s soft enough for older cats to manage.
Still, it’s a treat, not a meal. A complete cat food is balanced for everything your cat needs, including taurine, and eggs don’t replace that. Think of egg as a small reward, or a way to tempt a fussy cat, not a regular part of the menu.
Which eggs are safe for cats?
| Egg | Okay? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-boiled, peeled, chopped | ✅ Yes | Fully cooked, easy to portion. Serve it cooled. |
| Scrambled, plain (no milk, butter or salt) | ✅ Yes | Cook it in a dry nonstick pan or with a splash of water. |
| Poached, cooked firm | ✅ Yes | Fine as long as the yolk and white are set. |
| Scrambled with milk or cheese | ⚠️ Best avoided | Many cats don’t handle dairy well. |
| Fried in butter or oil | ⚠️ Best avoided | Extra fat can upset a cat’s stomach. |
| Eggs with onion, garlic, chives or salt | ❌ No | Onion and garlic are toxic to cats. |
| Raw or runny egg | ❌ No | Salmonella risk, plus avidin in raw whites. |
| Eggshells | ❌ Skip | Sharp, not tasty, and not worth the risk. |
Why raw eggs are off the menu
Some raw-feeding advice online includes raw egg for cats. We’d skip it, and so do the sources below. There are two reasons.
The first is bacteria. Raw eggs can carry salmonella and E. coli, which can make your cat sick. It isn’t just a cat problem, either: handling raw egg and then the food bowl puts the people in the house at risk too.
The second is avidin, a protein in raw egg white. It binds to biotin, a B vitamin, and stops the body from absorbing it. Over time that can lead to skin and coat problems. Cooking breaks avidin down, which is one more reason cooked egg is the safe version.
How to cook an egg for your cat
Keep it simple, and cook your cat’s portion before anything goes on yours.
- Hard-boiled: boil until the yolk is fully set, cool it, peel it, and chop a small piece very fine.
- Scrambled: whisk the egg on its own, no milk, and cook it in a nonstick pan with no butter until there’s nothing runny left.
- No seasoning: no salt, no pepper, no garlic or onion powder, no chives.
- Serve it cool: cats are picky about temperature, and hot egg can burn a mouth.
Some cats eat it straight off a saucer. Others sniff it, look at you like you’ve lost your mind, and leave. Both are normal. If your cat is a skeptic, try a few crumbs mixed into their usual wet food. And if they really don’t want it, there’s nothing to fix, since their regular food has them covered.
How much egg can a cat have?
Cats are small, so portions are small. Treats of every kind, egg included, should stay under about 10% of your cat’s daily calories. For most cats that means:
- Average adult cat: a small pinch of chopped egg.
- Larger or very active cat: a few small pieces.
- Kittens: just a tiny taste, once they’re eating solid food.
A whole egg is a lot of calories for a cat, so don’t serve one in a bowl. Once or twice a week is plenty, and start small the first time in case it upsets their stomach. If your cat has kidney disease, is overweight or eats a prescription diet, ask your vet before adding egg.
When to skip eggs
- Egg allergies: rare, but stop if you see itching, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Kidney disease or special diets: only with your vet’s okay.
- Weight loss plans: egg adds up quickly for a small animal.
- Leftovers from your plate: omelets and breakfast scrambles often have onion, garlic, cheese or salt.
My cat ate raw egg. What now?
A lick of raw egg from the mixing bowl usually doesn’t cause trouble. Watch your cat over the next couple of days for vomiting, diarrhea, not eating or seeming unusually tired. If you see any of those, call your vet.
If the egg was in something seasoned with onion, garlic or chives, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Cats are especially sensitive to onion and garlic, and even small amounts can be a problem.
Quick answers
- Can cats eat scrambled eggs?
- Yes, if they’re plain. Skip the milk, butter, cheese and salt, and let it cool before serving a small spoonful.
- Can cats eat boiled eggs?
- Yes. Hard-boiled egg, peeled and chopped small, is one of the easiest ways to share. Make sure it’s cooled.
- Can cats eat raw eggs?
- No. Raw eggs can carry salmonella, and raw egg white contains avidin, which blocks the absorption of biotin.
- Can kittens eat eggs?
- A tiny bit of cooked egg is fine once they’re eating solid food, but check with your vet first. Kitten food does the real work.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every cat is different; talk to your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet. If your cat ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Sources: PetMD, ASPCA, Cornell Feline Health Center.