![]() A taurine deficiency can cause an enlarged heart, which leads to serious health problems. This genetic issue in certain breeds was at the center of a recent taurine alert with commercial Lamb and Rice formulas issued by the FDA.įor dogs, there are no symptoms specifically related to taurine deficiency. Genetically some dog breeds have difficultly producing taurine: American Cocker Spaniels, English Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards. These dogs may need a special diet to avoid developing a deficiency that can come from low protein, high amounts of plant protein, overuse of grains, by-products, or high fiber diets. You’re probably wondering if taurine is non-essential for dogs, how can they suffer from a deficiency? Because most dogs make their own taurine from other amino acids, it’s been thought that they didn’t need dietary taurine. Taurine is non-essential for dogs and humans, but it is essential for cats. Humans require nine essential amino acids in their diet, dogs require ten, and eleven for cats. If you don’t have eggs, you can’t make a cake, even if you have plenty of every other ingredient. ![]() If a diet lacks one or more essential amino acids it prevents the body from creating protein. An essential amino acid means it can ONLY be obtained through diet: the amino acid must be eaten because the body can’t make it. The ones that aren’t are classified as essential. Some amino acids are manufactured by the body and others aren’t. Protein is used by your body to build and renew muscle, regulate immune function, create hormones, neurotransmitters, and more.Īll 20 amino acids are important. Mammals use 20 different amino acids to create protein in their bodies so they can grow and function properly (there are at least two additional amino acids but not part of this discussion). ![]() When you or your pet eat a protein, from either plant or animal source, it’s broken down into amino acids. If your dog or cat eats fresh, unprocessed muscle meat, it’s getting taurine - sufficient levels of taurine for the average animal. While taurine is in all muscle meats, it’s especially concentrated in the heart muscles, eye/retinas, and brains. Taurine is only present in animal proteins, not plant proteins e.g., pea or soy protein (one reason to avoid a vegan diet for cats). Being carnivores, the best amino acid sources for cats and dogs are from eating animal proteins like meat, eggs, and poultry. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. With a little more information you can make better diet decisions for your pet. Taurine deficiency is serious for dogs and devastating for cats. Most manufacturers have since fixed the taurine deficiencies in their foods. Taurine became known in the last few decades when a large number of cats and dogs started developing health issues from commercial pet foods lacking sufficient taurine. It’s obvious there’s an underlying misunderstanding of what taurine is, how it’s used by the body, and a lack of knowledge about amino acids in general. Most don’t know what it is or where to find it, but we need some in the food. Taurine’s treated like a mysterious but reverent thing. Some of the things I’ve heard over the years are “taurine is needed to manage or treat heart murmurs” or “if you don’t add taurine to your dog’s or cat’s food you’ll kill them” to “I want extra taurine in my pet’s food”. Taurine is a topic I run across frequently, either people asking me questions or seeing it in various places on the internet. ![]()
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