Can Maine Coons eat raw eggs? Are cooked eggs better for cats? – petsKB

Most people are confident that Maine Coon cats can safely consume meat and fish but there’s always been controversy surrounding whether they should eat eggs or not, especially when they’re raw. Let’s clear this up once and for all.

For safety reasons, Maine Coons should not eat raw or undercooked eggs because there is a risk of these carrying pathogens such as Salmonella and E. Coli. It’s safer to occasionally offer a thoroughly cooked egg as a good protein source in a varied, well-balanced Maine Coon diet.

What are the chances of a Maine Coon eating a bad raw egg?

There is a 1 in 20,0000 chance of an egg carrying Salmonella. For an egg to become infected, the hen must be carrying the disease. Pasteurized eggs are safer but not guaranteed pathogen-free.

E. Coli is a fecal pathogen that enters an egg through its shell. As hen coops are difficult to keep thoroughly clean, there is a higher chance of an egg becoming infected with E. Coli than Salmonella, depending on the hygiene where it is produced.

Cooking eggs until the white and yolk are both solid is the best way to kill any bacteria it might be harboring.

Are eggs good for Maine Coon cats?

It’s OK for Maine Coons to eat cooked eggs in moderation as they are a good source of protein and several contain essential nutrients.

Eggs can be a nutritious supplement to a Maine Coon’s diet, but there are a few important facts to take heed of:

1. Always cook eggs

It’s recommended to only feed cooked eggs to Maine Coon cats to mitigate the risk of Salmonella or E.Coli poisoning.

2. Offer eggs in moderation

Eggs should be given as an occasional treat and not as a primary food source. Too much egg in their diet might disrupt the balance of nutrients in a Maine Coon cat’s diet.

3. Eggs can trigger an allergic reaction

Just like with any new food, monitor your Maine Coon for any signs of allergies or sensitivities when introducing eggs for the first time. If there are any adverse effects, it’s best to avoid eggs in the future.

Why cooked eggs are good for Maine Coons

Eggs are little powerhouses and contain many of the essential nutrients a Maine Coon needs in its diet every day.

1. Protein

An average-sized egg contains 6 grams of the 18 grams of protein a 15-pound cat needs per day.

Maine Coons require protein to aid with the development and maintenance of muscle on a daily basis, so an egg is a good way of providing some of this important macronutrient.

2. Fats

An average egg contains 5 grams of the 8 grams of fat a 15-pound Maine Coon requires on a daily basis.

This is perhaps a good reason not to give a cat an egg daily as it may then eat too much fat when you factor in any other meals it consumes that day.

3. Nutrients in eggs compared to a 15-pound Maine Coon’s daily requirements

The following table shows the nutrients provided by an average egg compared to a 15-pound Maine Coon’s daily requirements:

	15-pound cat daily needs	Average egg (1.75oz/50 grams)
Kcal	350-400	60
Protein	18 grams	6 gram
Fat	8 grams	5 grams
Calcium	270 mg	25 mg
Iron	7 mg	0.8 mg
Magnesium	37 mg	5 mg
Phosphorus	240 mg	75 mg
Potassium	490 mg	60 mg
Sodium	60 mg	60 mg
Zinc	6 mg	0.6 mg
Copper	0.4 mg	0.04 mg
Manganese	0.4 mg	0.01 mg
Selenium	28 micrgrams	15 micrograms
Vit A	90 micrograms	100 micrograms
Vit B1	0.5 mg	0.05 mg
Vit B2	0.4 micrograms	0.25 mg
Vit B3	4 mg	0.05 mg
Vit B6	0.27 mg	7.5 micrograms
Vit B12	2.3 micrograms	0.75 micrograms
Vit D	0.6 micrograms	0.7 micrograms
Vit E	4 mg	2 mg
Folic acid	78 micrograms	35 micrograms
Biotin	6 micrograms	20 micrograms

From the table above we can deduce that eggs contain many of the nutrients a Maine Coon requires.

You will notice, 1 egg offers:

• The total sodium a cat requires per day
• More vitamin A than a cat requires per day
• More Biotin than a cat requires per day

Excessive biotin is not harmful however, high levels of vitamin A can damage the liver and can also lead to excessive bone growth, and too much sodium can lead to sodium toxicity.

Therefore it is wise to limit the number of eggs a Maine Coon eats to 1 or 2 a week.

Are Eggshells Good For Maine Coons?

A boiled egg is a great meal for a cat, including the shell. However, always be sure to break the egg up to make it easy for your cat to munch on. 

Eggshells are a source of calcium, so will help to increase a Maine Coon’s bone density. Because E. Coli can live in any fecal matter that adheres to an egg’s shell, always ensure the shells have been baked or boiled first.

Once cooked, eggshells can be ground up and added to homemade cat food or sprinkled into any food you’ve bought.

How do you cook eggs for Maine Coon cats?

The best way to cook an egg for a Maine Coon is to hardboil or scramble it. Definitely do not add milk or salt.

You could make an omelet but this involves using cooking oil and therefore adding unnecessary fat.

Eggs contain more than the recommended daily allowance of sodium for cats and milk is not easily digested.

Cool cooked eggs well before serving them to your Maine Coon to avoid them blistering their mouths and tongues.

Using raw eggs in homemade raw Maine Coon food

Many recipes for raw cat food include raw egg yolks. In light of the risk of salmonella or E. Coli being introduced into the recipe, I would recommend avoiding those particular recipes.

Freezing raw food does not eliminate bacteria, it only kills parasites.

What foods can Maine Coons not eat?

As well as eggs, there are many human foods, that Maine Coons can safely eat. However, there are also many things a Maine Coon should not consume detailed in this list of foods you should not be tempted to feed to your cat.