There have been no reports toxicity from feeding cats foods high in this nutrient. However, does it have some side effects when it is given in high amounts? Is too much taurine for cats bad?įrom its functions and deficiency symptoms, it is reasonable to conclude that taurine is good for cats. Some may be irreversible a require lifetime care. These symptoms can be prevented and, in some cases, reversed if there is enough amount of this nutrient is provided. Other taurine deficiency in cat’s symptoms including deafness, lethargy, heart failure, tooth decay, gastrointestinal upsets (because bile production will be diminished), and a lower immune response due to altered functioning of white blood cells. When it lacks, congenital defects, abortions, fetal resorptions, poor neonatal growth including low birth weight as well as low survival rates may be noted. On the other hand, reproductive failure occurs mainly because pregnant cats require it for their kittens to grow and develop well. Home-cooked foods present an increased risk of deficiency especially boiled ones.Īccording to the European Pet Food Industry, FEDIAF deficiency of taurine in felines “can lead to feline central retinal degeneration, dilated cardiomyopathy, and reproductive failure.”Ĭentral retinal degeneration affects rods and cones and some of its symptoms include “visual deficit especially at night, nervousness with other animals, maybe no obvious clinical signs, pupil dilation and increased tapetal reflex visible through pupil” notes Vetstream. Taurine deficiency in cats and symptomsĪ feline is considered to have an adequate intake in its diets when the resultant taurine plasma level is more than 50-60 µmol/L. The amount required in canned food is higher due to low bioavailability, especially the heat-processed canned pet foods. How much does a cat need?Īccording to AAFCO 2014, the minimum taurine required is 0.25g for extruded or dry cat foods while for canned foods, the amount is 0.50g per 1000 kcal of feline food for growth, reproduction, and adult maintenance.īasing on dry matter, the minimum recommended amounts are 0.1% and 0.2% for extruded and canned foods respectively. There are many taurine supplements you can buy with the best brands being PetAg and Thomaslab Felo. Sources in commercial dietsīesides the natural foods high in taurine, where else does it come from? The answer is simple, it is synthesized, the synthetic form can be obtained from isethionic acid ammonolysis, a reaction between sulfurous acid and aziridine or by use of ethanolamine process.Ībout 50% of the amounts synthesized are used for pet foods while the remainder is used for pharmaceutical purposes. Therefore, they are not a viable source.įinally, besides the above natural sources, you can also choose to supplement it in your homemade and raw feline food recipes if you know the right dosages to use. In plants, it is available in trace amounts. Some natural taurine-rich foods for cats include small rodents, birds, fish especially shellfish and meat.Īlthough dairy products have some of this amino acid, most adult felines are lactose intolerant and dairy products are not a good source of this nutrient. It “is also important for a cat’s teeth and hair” notes ThomasLabs and helps modulate the flow of calcium into and out of cells.
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