READ MORE : Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in Dogs and CatsĪs previously noted, all cats require taurine as part of their diets. Supplementation of these dogs may be recommended as part of their treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy. There appears to be a genetic predisposition to this problem in some breeds of dogs, including American Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and Newfoundland dogs. There are isolated occurrences of taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Supplemental taurine is used as a treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in cats.Īre other pets treated regularly with taurine? Since then, all diets that are formulated for cats are supplemented with enough taurine to meet the normal cat’s needs. Taurine was first recognized as a necessary component of the cat’s diet in the late 1980’s. Supplementation is relatively safe, with no reports of problems associated with excessive dietary taurine in the cat. Supplemental taurine may be added to certain cat foods, especially diets that are formulated for specific needs such as growth and development or heart disease. Dog food does not contain enough taurine to meet the normal requirements for a cat. Cat foods that contain high-quality animal-based protein will supply adequate levels of taurine for a normal, healthy cat.
Processing can affect taurine levels in the diet, while increased dietary fiber can decrease its absorption. Why recommend administration of taurine to my pet? In growing kittens, taurine deficiency can result in delayed growth. Low taurine levels result in small litter sizes, low birth weights, or fetal abnormalities. Left untreated for too long, retinal degeneration will lead to irreversible blindness, while dilated cardiomyopathy will progress to heart failure and death.ĭuring pregnancy, a mother cat must have adequate levels of taurine to maintain her health and to ensure proper growth and structural development of her kittens. If caught early enough, dilated cardiomyopathy may be reversible with dietary supplementation. “Clinical signs of taurine deficiency are slow to develop.” Taurine is a component of bile salts, and its deficiency may cause digestive disturbances. See the handouts “Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs” and “Cardiomyopathy in Cats” for more information. Deficiency of taurine will also lead to a weakening of the muscle cells in the heart, causing a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This condition is referred to as f eline taurine retinopathy, or more commonly, feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD). If taurine levels are deficient, the retinal cells of the eyes will eventually degenerate, impairing the vision. It can take several months before symptoms become apparent, depending on the cat’s life stage.
What happens if taurine levels are deficient?Ĭlinical signs of taurine deficiency are slow to develop. Unfortunately, it is not stored in large quantities in the body and so must be consumed on a regular basis. Fortunately for cats, taurine is readily obtained from their diet, as long as the diet contains animal-based proteins.
However, cats have a limited ability to manufacture taurine therefore, taurine is classified as an essential nutrient in the cat. Most mammals are able to manufacture enough taurine from other amino acids to meet their needs. Different species of animals have different essential amino acid requirements. Of the twenty common amino acids, some can be manufactured within the body from other amino acids while others are essential, meaning that the body cannot manufacture them, and they must be included as part of the diet. When a human or animal eats proteins, the proteins are broken down into their individual amino acid components before they are absorbed. Taurine is an essential amino acid in the cat. It is critical for normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, to maintain normal pregnancy and fetal development, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Taurine is exclusively found in animal-based proteins. Taurine is a type of amino acid, which are the building blocks of all proteins.
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