Are you considering a new diet for your cat? Taking time to construct a proper diet for your pet can be very beneficial to their overall health. Adding eggs to your pet’s diet can be a great way to enhance their nutrition.
Eggs are a well-known super protein not just for us humans but for animals as well. They can be beneficial for a number of animals but cats particularly can get some extra benefits from eating eggs. So, next time you prepare an omelet for yourself don’t forget to prepare an egg dish for your kitty as well.
Why eggs are good for your cat
Eggs may be small in size but they are packed with a lot of nutrition. There’s a good reason why eggs have been part of every diet since time and there’s a good reason for their presence in all kinds of menus and meals. Eggs are a vital source of nutrients, vitamins, protein and calcium. Take a look at some of the benefits of incorporating eggs into your kitty’s diet.
- Animal Protein: Eggs are a vital animal protein. Not only do they provide the body with super-quality protein sources but they are a vital source of amino acids. Some carnivores lack the liver enzyme that is responsible for digesting food, plant proteins and dairy products. Eggs can activate this enzyme.
- Amino acids: Did you know that humans need 9 essential amino acids, while cats need 11? The good news is that 10 of these proteins can be found in eggs. These are the essential nutrients for life and they will keep your cat healthy and energetic. Plus, the amino acids in eggs are better utilized by the body than other sources of protein such as soy.
- Taurine is an important component in every nutrition because it keeps the heart and eyes healthy.. Taurine is present only in animal proteins. Cats’ bodies are not able to create taurine by themselves so it’s important to add it to their diet. The good news is that eggs are packed with taurine and they can provide your cat with a taurine boost.
- Carbohydrate Free: Eggs are a pure animal protein which basically means that they do not contain carbohydrates. Cats’ bodies do not need carbohydrates because cats are carnivores. This makes eggs an excellent source of pure protein.
- Vitamin A is very important for the overall health of your kitty. Vitamin A supports the cat’s immune system and nervous system. It also does wonders for the cat’s coat and keeps their skin healthy. As you probably know, night vision is very important for cats and Vitamin A is essential for supporting a cat’s night vision. Vitamin A is packed with antioxidant properties which protect your cat from pollution, cancer formation and other unwanted diseases.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D should also be a vital part of a cat’s diet. Unlike humans who synthesize Vitamin D in their bodies, cats are not capable of producing this vitamin on their own. That’s why they need dietary intake to obtain Vitamin D. This is precisely why Vitamin D is one of the crucial supplements in pets’ food. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone growth and maintaining the level of calcium in the body.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is another supplement that is frequently added to pet foods. This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that keeps the skin healthy and protects against cell damage. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble Vitamin that is stored in the body’s fatty tissue and liver. Additionally, Vitamin E encourages the body to form new blood cells and supports the immune function.
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B 12 is another important vitamin that supports the overall health of your cat. Your kitty will have many benefits of Vitamin B 12 such as a healthy immune system and increased appetite. Vitamin B 12 also keeps the pancreas healthy and provides the nervous system with the essential nutrients to function properly. Additionally, Vitamin B 12 supports the digestive system and improves gastrointestinal health.
- Thiamine also known as B1 is another nutrient essential for your cat’s health. Thiamine is important for a healthy carbohydrate metabolism and it keeps the brain healthy.
- Iron: The proper level of iron in the blood is of vital importance for your kitty’s health. Iron is frequently present in pets’ food because cats with low levels of iron usually suffer from anemia. Iron helps the body produce red cells and protects the immune system.
- Riboflavin: This is a nutrient that will keep your cat’s coat nice and shiny. It breaks down fats and also drives oxygen supply and absorption. It plays a vital role in red cell production and produces antibodies that protect a cat’s body from diseases such as alopecia and weight loss.
- Zinc: If you want to improve the quality of your cat’s skin, hair and reproductive system then Zinc is the right mineral you need. In fact, ZInc is considered to be one of the most important minerals for maintaining a healthy cat. Keep in mind that ZInc in large quantities can be toxic for a cat.
- Selenium: Selenium is a powerful antioxidant that supports your cat’s immune system and protects against some serious diseases such as certain cancers. Research also shows that selenium can protect against the adverse effects of mercury in cats.
- Biotin: Biotin is essential for your cat’s metabolism and supports your cat’s skin and coat.
As you can see, there are so many beneficial effects of including eggs in your cat’s diet. Now let’s see how you can incorporate eggs in your cat’s daily food.
No Raw Eggs
Yes, cats can eat eggs, however, while feeding your cat with eggs can be great for their diet, feeding a cat with raw eggs can have the opposite effect. That’s why you should remember that the only way to feed your cat with eggs is to use cooked eggs.
Raw eggs contain salmonella which can be problematic for your cat’s metabolism. This goes also for cats that are on raw diets. Another component that raw eggs contain that can be damaging to your cat’s health is avidin.
Avidin can interrupt the absorption of biotin and complex B vitamins. That’s why cooked eggs are safe for cats to consume on a regular basis.
What is the best way for cats to eat eggs ?
Boil, poach, scramble or fry eggs and add them to your cat’s food. Do not add any additional components such as butter. Mix the eggs with your cat’s normal food so they can get used to the taste.
Don’t add large quantities because this may be strange for your cat. After some time your cat will get accustomed to the taste and accept it.
It’s not common for a cat to have an allergy to eggs but it’s important that you make sure that your cat is not allergic to eggs. Be careful and check if after eating eggs your cat shows signs of itching.
If your cat shows signs of digestive upset or ear infections it might mean that they are intolerant to eggs. You can check this with your veterinarian as well.
How many eggs should cats eat ?
Eggs are healthy for your cat but you should not give them in large quantities. Eggs should be just a supplement in a cat’s food and not the entire meal.
Just feeding your cat with eggs is not healthy for them because they also need other essential nutrients and vitamins found in other cat foods. Keep in mind that eggs should make only 10% of your cat’s diet. Start by feeding your cat with small pieces of eggs. Keep in mind that cats should eat eggs once or twice a week.
Just break the egg in pieces and feet it to your cat. You can also feed your cat with eggshells because they are a vital source of calcium. Calcium has wonderful effects on a cat’s bones and ligaments. You can grind the eggshells into powder and sprinkle the powder into your cat’s plate occasionally.
Don’t feed your cat with too many eggs because they also have downsides. They are packed with fat and cholesterol which can cause pancreatitis or an obesity problem.
Egg yolks are packed with fat and cholesterol and it is not advisable to give them to overweight cats and cats that suffer from kidney problems. To these cats egg whites can also be dangerous so it’s recommended that you feed them with eggs only occasionally. If your cat is overweight or suffers from other diseases it’s best to consult your vet and check if it’s safe for your kitty to eat eggs.
Do cats need to eat eggs at all ?
Eggs are packed with numerous nutrients and vitamins which can have many benefits for your cat such as healthy skin and claws, shiny fur and improved overall wellness. If you add eggs to your cat’s diet you can be sure that you’ll create a more balanced and healthy diet for your cat.
Feed your kitty with eggs but just be careful about the amounts and frequency so you can avoid digestion and stomach problems.
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