Can cats eat Raw eggs?
Caution. Raw eggs carry salmonella risk and raw egg whites contain a protein (avidin) that blocks biotin absorption. Cook eggs before feeding.
Key facts
- Verdict: Caution — some risk involved. See the detail below before giving raw eggs to your cat.
- Category: Eggs
If your cat has eaten raw eggs
- No emergency for a single raw egg exposure.
- Monitor for vomiting or diarrhoea; call your vet if these appear or persist.
What's the full picture?
Raw eggs carry two distinct risks for cats: bacterial contamination and avidin. Neither is immediately dangerous from a single accidental exposure, but both become significant with regular feeding — which is why raw egg is a poor choice as a deliberate cat food supplement, despite some raw feeding advocates recommending it.
The bacterial risk centres on Salmonella and Campylobacter, both of which can be present in raw eggs — including eggs from backyard hens. Cats have more acid-tolerant digestive systems than humans, meaning they can handle low-level bacterial contamination that would make a human sick, but they're not immune. Clinical signs of salmonellosis in cats include vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and lethargy appearing 12-24 hours after exposure. A single raw egg from a reputable source carries low but nonzero risk; a cracked or old raw egg carries significantly higher risk.
Avidin is a protein in raw egg white that binds biotin (vitamin B7) in the digestive tract, preventing absorption. Biotin is essential for healthy skin, coat condition, and metabolism. One raw egg won't cause deficiency — the effect requires consistent exposure over weeks to months. The concern arises when owners regularly add raw egg to a cat's food as a 'protein boost'. The yolk doesn't contain avidin and is nutritionally richer, so if feeding raw egg at all, the yolk is the safer part.
Cooking eliminates both risks completely: heat kills bacteria and denatures avidin. Plain cooked egg (boiled, poached, or scrambled without butter or seasoning) is genuinely safe for cats and provides high-quality protein. If you want to feed your cat egg, cook it — there's no meaningful nutritional benefit to raw over cooked that justifies the risks.
The most common real-world scenario is a cat stealing a raw egg from a kitchen surface or bowl. For a healthy adult cat, a single raw egg is unlikely to cause serious harm. Monitor for GI symptoms for 24-48 hours. For kittens, elderly cats, or cats on immunosuppressant medications, call your vet — they're more vulnerable to bacterial infection.
Safer alternatives
- Plain scrambled or hard-boiled egg (no salt, no oil, no milk)
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Questions owners ask
My cat licked raw egg — do I need to worry?
A lick is low risk. Monitor for GI upset but don't panic.
Can cats eat cooked eggs?
Yes — plain cooked eggs (boiled, poached, or scrambled without butter, salt, or seasoning) are safe for cats in small amounts and are a good protein source. The key is 'cooked': heat neutralises the avidin in egg whites and kills any salmonella. A small amount of plain scrambled egg or a slice of hard-boiled white is fine as an occasional treat.
My cat stole and ate a raw egg. What should I do?
A single raw egg is unlikely to cause serious harm in an otherwise healthy adult cat — the salmonella risk is real but the probability from a single egg is low, and the avidin issue requires repeated exposure over time. Monitor for GI symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy) over the next 24 hours. If symptoms develop, call your vet. For kittens, elderly cats, or cats with compromised immune systems, call your vet promptly.
What is avidin and why is it a problem in raw egg whites?
Avidin is a protein found in raw egg whites that binds tightly to biotin (vitamin B7) in the gut, preventing absorption. Biotin is essential for healthy skin, coat, and metabolism. A single raw egg white won't cause deficiency, but regular feeding of raw egg whites over weeks to months can lead to biotin deficiency — symptoms include poor coat quality, skin problems, and lethargy. Cooked egg white contains denatured avidin that doesn't bind biotin, so cooked eggs don't have this risk.
What is avidin in raw egg white, and why does it affect cats?
Avidin is a protein in raw egg white that binds tightly to biotin (vitamin B7) in the gut, preventing its absorption. Biotin is essential for healthy skin, coat, and metabolism. Regular feeding of raw egg whites — even without any acute poisoning — leads to biotin deficiency over weeks to months: poor coat condition, crusty skin around eyes and nose, and lethargy. Cooking egg white denatures avidin, which is why cooked eggs are safe but raw whites are not.
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Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team