Biotin acts as a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes that are critical for fatty acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and glucose production. For your cat, biotin's most visible role is maintaining healthy skin and a lustrous coat — biotin-deficient cats develop unmistakable skin and fur problems. An important quirk of biotin nutrition is that raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds biotin and prevents its absorption. Feeding raw eggs regularly can induce biotin deficiency even when dietary biotin is otherwise adequate. Cooking denatures avidin, so cooked eggs are both safe and a good biotin source.
A cooked egg yolk provides roughly 10–15mcg of biotin — your adult cat needs approximately 15–75mcg per day, about the amount found in a serving of chicken liver or two cooked eggs. Always cook eggs before feeding to your cat to avoid the avidin problem in raw whites.
0.0% of daily nutrient intake
Vitamin B7 (Biotin) makes up 0.0% of your cat's total daily nutritional requirements by weight. That's a tiny amount — but it matters.
Dry, scaly skin (especially around the face and ears), hair loss, dull and brittle coat, crusty dermatitis, and lethargy. Biotin deficiency in cats is most commonly caused by prolonged feeding of raw egg whites rather than inadequate dietary biotin itself.
Biotin is water-soluble and has an excellent safety margin. Excess is excreted in urine and toxicity from dietary sources has not been reported in cats.
| Life Stage | Size | Min | Max | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | — | 15 | 75 | mcg | Biotin requirements increase if your cat consumes raw egg whites (avidin binds biotin). Always cook eggs to avoid this interaction. |
Source: NRC 2006, AAFCO 2024
B vitamins work as a team in metabolic pathways. Biotin and folate both serve as coenzymes in critical metabolic reactions, and adequate levels of all B vitamins ensure optimal energy metabolism and cell function.
What this means: Feed a varied meat-based diet that naturally provides the full spectrum of B vitamins. Eggs, poultry, and fish together cover all B vitamin needs without the need for individual supplementation.
