One way to ensure your cat is getting enough taurine is to only feed pet foods certified by AAFCO. Pet food is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and taurine is so important for cats that the AAFCO lists it as a necessary nutrient in cat foods. As obligate carnivores, cats need to consume meat in order to be healthy. Meat and fish are excellent sources of taurine. How do I make sure my cat has enough taurine?

Reproductive issues - Infertility or giving birth to kittens with low birth weight and delayed developmentĭiabetes - Taurine affects blood sugar and taurine deficiency may cause feline diabetesĭry, unhealthy skin and coat - Without enough taurine, your cat’s fur may become dry and flakeyĭental issues - Bad breath, cavities and tartar buildup

Low energy - Nutritional deficiencies affect energy levelsįeline Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) - An enlarged heartĭigestive problems - Vomiting or diarrheaįeline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD) - Progressive vision loss Weak immune system - Slow to recover from illness Cat’s that experience taurine deficiency may develop serious problems including: Cats, however, are unable to synthesize taurine internally in high enough concentrations, therefore they must obtain taurine through their daily diet.īecause taurine is crucial to many normal metabolic processes, a taurine deficiency can cause significant health issues for your cat over time. Some mammals, such as humans and dogs, are able to synthesize taurine internally by utilizing other amino acids. Most mammals require taurine for proper musculoskeletal development, heart function, vision and digestion.

Richard Patton, taurine may be classified as a vitamin and amino acid. Taurine is involved in many crucial roles of metabolism.

Taurine cat food