Cats can’t have eggnog.
In fact, they’re downright allergic to it. Certain amino acids in eggnog can cause your cat’s breathing to quickly become obstructed.
Symptoms include cracked lips, bleeding staining of the mouth, and the accumulation of excessive saliva. So can cats have eggnog?
The answer to this question is a resounding ‘no.’ While eggnog has a multitude of health benefits for humans, it can have devastating consequences for cats. This is because the amino acid methionine found in eggnog can cause severe breathing problems for felines.
The dangerous side effects can include cracked lips and bleeding staining of the mouth and the accumulation of excessive saliva. It can also produce vomiting and diarrhea in your cat.
Can Cats Have Eggnog?
No, and cats can’t have eggnog eggs are not toxic to cats.
Here’s a summary of the potential threats that cats can face from eggs.
Alcohol
If you like your eggnog with a kick then you’ll be delighted to discover that alcohol is an extremely safe beverage for your cat.
A cat may be placed into a coma with too much alcohol in their system but that’s highly unlikely to happen unless someone intentionally tries to poison your cat either on purpose or by accident.
Nutmeg/Cinnamon
Nutmeg and cinnamon, like other spices, are harmless to cats if consumed in small quantities.
Nutmeg, in particular, carries a toxic risk because it contains methyl eugenol.
Raw Eggs
Cats are not predisposed to developing Salmonella infection from handling and eating raw eggs, but there are risks.
Avidin, a rare protein found in raw egg shells, can severely debilitate a cat’s ability to produce blood clotting factors.
This may cause skin reactions or itchiness that lead to hair loss on your cat’s head and tail and could also lead to skin infections and lesions.
Sugar
Sugary meals should not be consumed in excess by cats except for treat purposes.
It’s harmful for their teeth, may create gastrointestinal problems and even kidney disease in cats, so be sure to limit or avoid offering sugar to your cat.
Milk/Cream
Milk and cream should normally be avoided by pets because they are rich in vitamin A and fat, both of which can be harmful for cats in large quantities.
Lactose intolerance develops in cats as they age, so avoid them entirely if you can.
Lactose-containing goods may induce stomach problems and lead to diarrhea in cats.
What’s in Eggnog?
There is myristicin, benzaldehyde and methylmethoxyeugenol in nutmeg and eugenol and methyleugenol in cinnamon.
You’d need a lot of it to get even a tenth of the dose it takes to kill a dog (see my previous response to some other posters).
While a little quantity will not put your kitty at risk, it’s also true that some cats aren’t as good at breaking down toxins as others and may have a really bad reaction if they eat too much cinnamon or nutmeg.
Cinnamon is also only dangerous in large amounts because even a little quantity would be enough to irritate your cat’s stomach and could cause them diarrhea and/or vomiting.
Cinnamon essential oil, on the other hand, is perfectly safe as long as you use it sparingly in small amounts and only in a diffuser.
Lactose intolerance runs particularly strongly in mixed-breed and purebred cats, but can also occur in other breeds as well.
If lactose-free milk is consumed in excess, it could lead to flatulence and diarrhea in felines.
In general, one entire egg per cat each per year is the recommended amount of the yolk.
After consuming too much caffeine, cats may experience vomiting or other digestive disorders.
Is Eggnog Safe for Cats?
Eggnog isn’t suitable to feed your cat because it is high in sugar, fat and calories which can lead to weight gain and difficulty controlling your cat’s blood sugar levels which can lead to diabetes.
You must not offer eggnog to your cat as even a little quantity of it can cause adverse reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Rinse the cups that were used to brew the eggnog with cold water before placing them in the dishwasher.
You’ll have to keep a check on them for rogue cats or neighborhood children that may take a fancy to your tasty eggnog.
If your cat loses its appetite or starts vomiting or has diarrhea after drinking eggnog, take it to the vet as it might be suffering from food poisoning.
Can I Give My Cat Eggnog?
If you look at the list of ingredients on a can of cat food, you may wonder if you should feed your cat these ingredients or not.
It should come as no surprise that you wouldn’t want to feed your pets fatty foods or junk foods that can increase their chances of becoming obese.
Adult cats should consume no more than 1 tablespoon of egg yolk per week.
Cats acquire lactose-intolerance in later life and egg yolk contains a lot of this substance which can cause diarrhea and other digestive disorders in cats who’re lactose intolerant.
Lactose-containing foods may cause stomach upset in cats that’re lactose intolerant.
Despite the fact that sugary meals are tasty and appetizing, they are high in calories and sugar which make them a no-no for cats, especially diabetic cats.
Conclusion
Eggnog is toxic to cats, as it contains a high amount of sugar in the form of sweet dairy product and raw eggs, both of which are harmful to felines.
Count yourself fortunate if your cat has never experienced any of the above symptoms after eating eggnog; other pets may not be so lucky.
This festive drink is really a concoction of eggs, milk, cream, nutmeg and rum which is nothing but a recipe for disaster for cats.
If you find your cat drinking any, put a lid on it immediately and don’t give them any leftover eggnog after the party is over.
If they exhibit any indications of illness within a couple of hours after ingesting eggnog, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
