If you love cats, you’re probably familiar with Mog, the clumsy, forgetful, egg-loving cat created by the legendary author and illustrator Judith Kerr – may she rest in peace. In many of her books, Mog devours hard-boiled eggs, often given to her as a reward. In Judith’s Christmas Calamity, Mog even dreams about eggs (which inadvertently causes a fire). But can cats really eat eggs? Is it safe or is it just a work of fiction? Read through our guide to food and nutrition for keeping your own mog happy and healthy.
We’ll be covering:
What to feed your Kitten (1-6 months)
Newborn kittens need to feed from their mother for at least the first 4 weeks of their lives. If this isn’t an option, they will need to be bottle or syringe fed with specially formulated kitten milk. This is because queen milk contains important nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for your cats’ development.
At around six weeks, kittens can be weaned onto solids. Solids should be introduced to kittens gradually by replacing one milk feed at a time until they are fully weaned. PetMD.com recommends starting the weaning process by mixing the kitten food with a little formula milk so that they recognise the taste. Gradually decrease the amount of milk until they’re happy to eat the food as it is. You may wish to add water to kitten food to make it easier for your kitten to chew and digest. After a couple of weeks of weaning cats should begin to nibble food if being fed kibble and should be fully weaned at around eight weeks old.
Remember that kittens need to be fed food specifically designed for kittens. Like kitten milk formula, kitten food contains nutrients vital for physical and cognitive development. Spread the daily required amount across several meals throughout the day.
Check out our guide to Looking After a Kitten for more information.
Kitten Food Recommendations
Lilly’s Kitchen: They do a great range of wet and dry kitten food which is made from real meat, is 100% natural, is nutritional, and always went down well with our cat Rinpoche.
James Wellbeloved: This is a well established brand of kitten food trusted by many. Although James Wellbeloved is a little more pricey than most supermarket food all of their products are made with 100% natural ingredients and are particularly good for hypo-sensitive kittens.
Royal Canin: Known for its quality ingredients and nutritional content, Royal Canin is good honest food that promotes healthy development and digestion.
What to feed Older Cats
Your cat is technically a senior by the age of seven, so giving her food specifically designed to meet her ageing needs is vital. Check out our guide on cat years to human years for more information about looking after your cat as she ages.
The cat food brands mentioned above also sell food for senior cats so be sure to check them out.
You may decide that you only want to feed your cat a natural diet. This is fine as long as you ensure that you are feeding her a balanced diet containing all of the right amounts of nutrients a cat needs.
Can Cats Eat Eggs?
Yes! Eggs are a great source of protein which your cat needs to stay fit and healthy. Protein will keep your cat’s coat looking smooth and shiny and support growth and development. Eggshells also contain calcium, so if you want to give them the shell, grind it up into a fine powder and sprinkle it onto their food.
You can scramble. Poach or boil eggs for your kitty. Just make sure that you’re not serving them too hot and they are in date. Because eggs are high in fat and cholesterol we’d advise limiting the amount of eggs you give your cat to a half to one per week. Give eggs as a special treat, and avoid eggs altogether if your cat has any problems with her liver or is allergic.
A List of Foods Cats Can Eat?
The following foods have been checked with Pet Central and Vets4Pets and are considered food that are safe to be eaten by cats.
- Apples – high in fibre and vitamin C. Feed without the skin and preferably stew without adding seasoning, such as cinnamon.
- Avocado – in moderation
- Bananas – high in potassium and they make a great snack
- Blueberries – great source of vitamin A and C
- Carrots – Carrots are great for cats and are high in a number of vitamins. We’d suggest steaming them until tender and cooled.
- Cheese – Stick to harder cheeses like cheddar or Swiss cheese. Cheese is high in calcium but also high in fat, so only feed as a snack in small quantities.
- Chicken and Turkey – great source of lean protein. Just make sure that it’s cooked through fully.
- Cranberries – very nutritious, but may be an acquired taste.
- Eggs – scrambled, boiled or poached (don’t fry in oil).
- Melon – high in antioxidants.
- Nuts – Almonds, Walnuts and Brazil nuts are all considered safe to eat and are high in protein. Give in moderation as they are high in fat.
- Peas – great source of fibre and vitamins C and A.
- Potatoes – Cooked thoroughly and fully ripe. Solanine is found in unripe potatoes which can damage a cat’s nervous system.
- Salmon – baked or poached in milk.
- Spinach – steamed. Contains vitamin A, C, K and iron.
- Squash and pumpkin – steamed.
- Tuna – Fresh tuna is fine for cats, but avoid giving canned tuna as this contains unhealthy oils and preservatives that can be harmful.
- Whole grain – like brown rice, oats or maize.
- Yoghurt – A puurfect source of calcium, but do make sure you use natural yoghurt with no added sugar.
Treats should be limited to 20 calories per day and should only make up 10% of your cat’s main diet. Remember cats are tiny in comparison to us, so adjust portions accordingly.
A List of Foods Cats Can’t Eat.
The list of human foods that cats can’t eat include:
- Chocolate
- Grapes Raisins
- Bread
- Onion
- Garlic
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Raw meats fish
- Raw eggs
- Macadamia nuts are poisonous for cats
All of the above are toxic to cats so please don’t give them to your kitties.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it! Eggs are safe for cats and cats seem to love them. Remember to feed your cats food appropriate for their age, as these foods will contain the right amounts of essential goodness needed. Good quality cat foods are specifically designed to meet your cat’s dietary needs and are essential to maintaining good health. If you are going to give your cat human foods, you must ensure that portions are correct for the breed and weight of your cat and you’ll also need to ensure that you’re giving your cat a balanced diet made up of proteins, carbs, whole grains, fibre and vitamins.