Cats are notoriously picky eaters. Although you likely know that you shouldn’t feed your cat onions, grapes, alcohol, or chocolate, other common foods may be puzzling. For example, are eggs good for cats? Are they safe or suspicious? Digestible or dangerous? How can they benefit (or harm) your cat’s body? Most importantly, will your cat like them? Although we can’t answer that last question, we can help you understand how eggs can impact a cat’s body. Are eggs good for cats? Let’s find out . . .
Are Eggs Good for Cats?
Are eggs good for cats? Definitely.
Since most of you are probably looking for more than a one-word answer, let’s explore the reasons why.
Eggs are an excellent source of protein for cats, and they provide many other nutritional and functional benefits. So unless your cat is specifically allergic to eggs (which is very uncommon), feel free to feed your cat eggs. As a consumer and cat owner, start reading the labels of your cat’s food and check for eggs on the ingredient list. And if you’re a manufacturer, consider incorporating eggs into your products and advertising the addition to your customers.
BENEFITS
Eggs aren’t just delicious. They’re accessible, versatile, economical, and (most importantly) nutritious. You likely already know many of the benefits they provide humans, but what about cats? The following components of eggs greatly profit our feline friends:
- High-Quality Protein: As we mentioned above, eggs are an excellent source of protein. They contain six grams of high-quality protein, which cats need for energy, growth, and overall wellness. Proteins are the building blocks of a cat’s tissues, organs, skin, hair, bones, muscles, and tendons, so a deficiency can have negative effects. To delve a bit deeper into cats’ protein requirements, let’s explore the building blocks of proteins: amino acids . . .
- Exceptional Amino Acid Content: Cats (like dogs) need 22 amino acids for their bodies to be healthy and function properly. They can synthesize 11 of these amino acids on their own, but the others, which are known as “essential amino acids,” must be consumed through the cat’s diet: arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, and taurine (taurine is the only amino acid that cats need but dogs do not). Eggs, amazingly, contain all of these amino acids. So if they were your cat’s only protein source, your cat would still have all of the amino acids he or she needs to function properly. Plus, most of eggs’ amino acid content is utilized due to their high biological value . . .
- High Biological Value: Protein quality varies from source to source. So even if two products contain the same amount of protein according to their Guaranteed Analyses, consider their protein sources to get the full picture. Check the ingredients’ biological value (BV), which is a measure of the proportion of absorbed protein that becomes incorporated into the body. Eggs have the highest BV of any protein source, so you won’t have to worry about the protein going to waste.
- Plenty of Fats and Fatty Acids: Eggs contain good fats and fatty acids, most of which are found in the yolk. As with humans, fat provides energy and can help break down fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fatty acids are necessary to keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy, and they may also have some anti-inflammatory effects. Too much fat can lead to obesity, of course, but eating eggs in moderation is perfectly healthy.
- Numerous Vitamins and Minerals: Eggs contain many important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (which benefits cats’ vision, growth, and immune system), vitamin D (which benefits the skeletal structure), vitamin B12 (which assists with enzyme functions), vitamin E (which defends against oxidative damage), and selenium (which benefits the immune system). These are just a few of the many beneficial vitamins and minerals in eggs.
HEALTH RISKS
The health risks of eggs for cats are minimal, much like the health risks of eggs for humans. Uncooked eggs can cause a biotin deficiency (due to the substance avidin) and may contain Salmonella. To eliminate these risks, simply cook eggs before feeding them to your cat (or purchase foods that contain dry egg product, which is processed and pasteurized). In addition, if your cat suffers from health conditions like pancreatitis or hyperlipidemia, the fat content in eggs can be problematic. To mitigate these health risks, simply feed your cat eggs in moderation.
Although I doubt you need the warning, do not feed your cat a diet composed entirely of eggs. Cats need a varied, balanced diet. If your cat ate only eggs, he or she would develop dietary deficiencies. Finally, if you are concerned that your cat is not eating a complete and well-balanced diet, discuss your cat’s health and diet with your veterinarian.
_____
So are eggs good for cats? Absolutely.
All cats need protein, whether they are young, old, pregnant, or extremely active, and eggs are one of the best sources of protein around. They prevent a variety of significant health problems, they assist with cell structure and function, they provide energy, they help with metabolic activities, they are easy to digest and absorb, and they taste darn good.
So whether your kitty prefers wet or dry cat food, look for eggs on the ingredient list and appreciate their many merits on the Guaranteed Analysis section of the label. Chock-full of protein and providing numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, eggs aren’t just good for cats–they’re great.
If your company is interested in purchasing dried egg products for cat food, check out IsoNova. Our pet food products are researched, developed, and manufactured through a joint venture utilizing the advanced technologies and insights of Rembrandt Enterprises, Inc. (REI) and the expertise and premium raw materials of American Dehydrated Foods (ADF). By isolating the components of the egg, we are able to give our customers the high-quality and nutritional ingredients they desire. To learn more about our products, please give us a call at 888-304-5849 or click here to contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!
The post Are Eggs Good for Cats? appeared first on IsoNova.