Eggs are some of the most nutritious foods you can eat. They are packed full of protein and vitamins. Humans love them! In fact, in the States, 286.5 eggs are consumed per person. That’s a whole lot of eggs. But what about if your cat wants to try? Is it ok? Let’s put the question: Can Maine Coons eat eggs? to rest.
Can Maine Coons Eat Eggs?
Maine Coons can eat eggs but only cooked eggs. Raw eggs can contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E-coli that can cause gastrointestinal problems for your gentle giant. Raw eggs also contain a protein called Avidin in the egg white which interrupts the absorption of some vitamins and biotin. However, when you cook the egg it reduces the Avidin.
Another important point to note is that cats are obligate carnivores, this means that they can only break down fatty acids found in animal proteins. This is great news if you want to give your cat eggs because eggs are packed full of animal protein.
Why You Should Feed Your Maine Coon Eggs
As mentioned before eggs are packed full of protein and healthy nutrients. Let’s take a closer look at exactly why eggs are great for your cat:
The Nutritional Benefits of Eggs
- Animal Protein: As mentioned previously eggs are animal protein. This is great news because cats can only metabolize proteins from animal sources.
- The Building Blocks of Protein: Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Eggs contain 10 of the 11 essential amino acids needed for a cat’s health.
- Packed Full of Vitamins: Eggs are crammed packed with Vitamins A, B12, D, and E. All these vitamins are great for your cat’s overall health.
- Taurine: Eggs are packed full of Taurine, great for your cat’s eyes and heart.
- Iron: Essential to maintaining red blood cell counts in your cat’s body preventing diseases such as anemia.
- Zinc: This really helps keep your cat’s skin, hair, and reproductive system healthy.
- Biotin: This is needed to help your cat break down protein in the body. It also supports a cat’s hormonal glands.
- Thiamine/B1: Helps keep the nervous system healthy by aiding the breakdown of food into energy.
- Riboflavin/B2: Great for the development of brain functioning, skin/hair, and blood cell production.
What’s The Best Way To Feed Eggs To A Maine Coon Cat?
The best way to feed Maine Coon cat eggs is by cooking them until they are fully cooked. Never season or butter the eggs.
You should also be aware that cats can be intolerant or allergic to eggs so it’s best to give them a small piece and test it out. If you notice any symptoms such as diarrhea, ear infections, or itching after you’ve given your cat eggs, it may be a sign that they are allergic. Consult your vet if you’re concerned.
A top tip is to put a little bit of cooked egg in their food and mix it so they don’t notice it. This way they will eat it without knowing. We all know how cats can be fussy eaters.
How Much Egg Should I Give My Maine Coon?
Cats need a balanced diet of mostly commercial cat food. Commercial cat food is packed full of nutrients your cat needs to be healthy. So eggs should only be given as a treat once or twice a week.
A few little pieces of an egg are enough and never give them a full egg. It’s important to keep in mind that eggs also contain fat so there may be a risk of adding too much fat to your cat’s diet.
Can My Maine Coon Eat Eggshells?
Eggshells are packed with calcium which is great for bone and joint health. The best way to give your cat eggshells is to grind them up into dust and put them into your cat’s food on occasion.
Can Eggs Be Bad For My Maine Coon?
As mentioned already, eggs are a great source of animal protein and vitamins. However, it’s important to note that eggs are also a source of fat and cholesterol. Too much fat can make your cat obese.
If you’re concerned about giving your cat too much fat or cholesterol then only feed your cat egg whites. This contains the least amount of fat and cholesterol. The yolk part of the egg contains the most.
Conclusion
So that’s what we discovered after our research about Maine Coons and eggs. Eggs are a healthy and nutritional snack for cats. Just make sure you’re giving your furbaby eggs in moderation.
Too many can cause other health problems in the long run. So when serving your Maine Coon eggs, just a little at a time and you’ll keep your feline happy.
Elliot is the owner and lead writer at Lais Lairs. He is the proud owner of a Maine Coon/Siberian Mix cat named Lai. His oldest cat lived to be 18 years old so he’s learned a thing or two about keeping pets. When he’s not writing you can find him playing video games or playing fetch with Lai.