Would a Cat Eat a Bird Egg?

Given a choice, a cat will take the easy route, eating food provided by humans or sifting through trash as a first choice, and hunting fast-moving prey only when necessary. When a cat does hunt, he usually chooses to track down rodents, but birds and their young offspring, hatched or unhatched, are also a tempting treat.

  1. Opportunity

    • Cats, both domestic and feral, are opportunistic when it comes to finding food. If a cat can get an easy meal without hunting it down, he'll take it. While a cat may not necessarily set out to find eggs in a bird's nest, if he comes across a clutch he may devour the eggs simply because they provide an easy and nutritious meal. Eggs are sometimes also eaten along with newly-hatched chicks. The young chick may have attracted the cat, but while he's there he'll eat up the remaining eggs.

    Offering

    • A cat offered an egg, raw or cooked, will readily eat it. Many recipes for homemade, natural or organic cat food include eggs as a source of protein. These eggs are usually from chickens, but a cat will accept eggs from any source, such as duck, goose, quail or ostrich. Few cats will turn up their nose at an egg, even when offered alone and not mixed with other food as part of a recipe.

    Benefits

    • Eggs are full of protein, amino acids, iron and vitamin B. Cats need all of these nutrients for muscle growth, shiny fur and healthy organs. The shells are also a good source of calcium, which is necessary for strong teeth and bones. The amino acids in eggs are among the ones cats absolutely must have in their diet, including lysine, arginine and tryptophan, among others. Nutrients in eggs also help repair tissues in a cat's body.

    Dangers

    • Properly cooked eggs don't pose a danger to cats when eaten in moderation. Raw eggs, on the other hand, can carry bacteria that cause illness, such as E. coli or salmonella. In addition to your cat becoming ill from the bacteria, it is possible for him to spread the ailment through his feces. Raw egg whites also contain a component that reduces the absorption of vitamin B. This is not dangerous in small amounts, but a large quantity could make your cat ill.