Why?
Quiche Lorraine is made with salty, fatty bacon, heavy cream and often cheese, a mix that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and, in some cats, pancreatitis. The pastry crust adds even more butter. Many recipes also include onion, leek or nutmeg, which your cat should never have.
How much?
No slice is recommended. If you want to share the egg, make your cat a plain scrambled egg on the side.
The risks
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Pancreatitis from the fat
- Too much salt from the bacon
- Anemia if the quiche contains onion or leek
Your cat ate some: what now?
If the quiche had onion, leek or garlic in it, or your cat ate a good part of a slice, call your vet without waiting for symptoms and don't try to make your cat vomit. For a small bite of plain quiche Lorraine, watch for vomiting and diarrhea for 24 to 48 hours.
Better options
A plain cooked egg, hard-boiled or scrambled with no salt or butter, gives your cat good protein. A little plain cooked turkey is another good option.
Common questions
Can cats eat the egg filling from quiche?
Not really, because it's mixed with cream, cheese, salt and sometimes onion. A plain egg cooked on its own is the safe way to share.
Can cats eat spinach quiche?
It's still not a good idea: the cream, cheese and crust are the main problem, and many spinach quiches include onion or garlic. Spinach itself is best avoided for cats with urinary issues.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a veterinarian. If your cat has swallowed something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away, without waiting for symptoms.