If you are a cat parent then the chances that you may have heard of taurine and its importance in your cat’s diet is very high.
Cat nutritionists have been aware of the need for taurine to keep cats alive and well since at least the mid-1980s, so they are quite familiar with what happens when kitties do not get enough over a long period.
Wet or dry commercial cat foods contain enough taurine to meet a cat’s needs, but if you are feeding homemade, raw or home cooked food, you will have to be more careful in order for your cat/s to get the required amount.
In Untamed she guides you through the science behind taurine, and how to make sure that your choice of cat diet means optimal health for your feline.
What is taurine in cat food?
Taurine is an amino acid that cats are dependent on.
Amino acids are the base of proteins and well necessary for our body to build, repair or maintain several tissues:
- Muscles
- Skin and coat
- Organs
What does taurine do?
Keeping this in mind, the health and well maintenance of the following systems are regulated by taurine within a cat:- Eyes
- Heart
- Digestive tract
- Reproductive function
Why Taurine is Critical to Your Cats Vision
Estimation of taurine can be made simply by counting light-sensing cells found in a cat’s retina. With night vision, in contrast to the daytime color-based process explained above, special cells called rods and cones (because of their shapes) deal with light coming into the eye and change it over into neurological driving forces that your brain can interpret. And because the retina itself also contains taurine, a deficiency can therefore cause:- Night blindness
- Inability of the colors to be judged
- Eventual Total Blindness
How Taurine Strengthens the Cat Heart
Taurine, discovered to be important in the 1980s for maintaining an appropriate balance of calcium and other minerals on either side of cellular membranes throughout a cat’s heart A mineral imbalance in feline heart muscle can lead to loss of proper contraction. One of the consequences is a progressive heart failure that develops in cats fed Taurine- deficient diet. Bile production helps reduce the build up of fat in a cat’s body. Without taurine, cats are not able to create the fats they require in order for:- Energy
- Skin and Coat Health
- The provision of fatty acids necessary for cell make-up
Why taurine needed for cats Reproductive function
Taurine is associated with breeding difficulties and preventing queens from coming to term their kittens or when that occurs it may cause retarded growth in the kitten -which often need more time-, as well as pregnant sick-and-traveling-queens. Taurine is important in the food of mummy and her kittens for growth ideals.
Which Foods Have Taurine for Cats
Taurine is naturally present in meat. As obligate carnivores, they have evolved to be able to digest animal protein far more easily than the kind of plant-based proteins used by many vegan pet food brands. Cats could be strictly vegetarian in a perfect world, but to cover the amino acid requirement they would need massive local products. The biological value is a measure of how efficiently the most common protein sources are turned into metabolite and can be consumed, this figure as a percentage; The table below shows the most common protein sources, and their biological values:| Protein source | Biological value (how much of a protein source a cat can use) |
| chicken | 98% |
| Tuna, Salmon, sardines or Prawns | 94% |
| Beef and pork or ham | 87% |
| Soya | 68% |
| Wheatgerm, corn, sweetcorn, and other vegetable proteins | Below 65% |
What is the proper way to ensure your cat gets taurine?
A good, meaty diet will provide your cat with plenty of taurine so go that route if you want to be confident in how much they are getting. There are an enormous amount of foods that we eat today but good vs. not so good is even morîe confusing to navigate with the vast array on offer at any given time!!! All of the information you need to determine if a food is good for you or not will be found on that label — all it takes is knowing what to look for. These 2 important ingredients to see if include the- Ingredients list
- Guaranteed analysis
What Happens If My Cat Doesn’t Get Enough Taurine?
It is important to note that every commercial cat food with an assurance of a complete and balanced diet will contain enough taurine, however this might not be true if you are home cooking your cat’s meals. As was said before, insufficient taurine in felines’ feeds can significantly harm their overall health. Insufficient output levels of taurine may not become evident for months or even years. Signs of Taurine Deficiency If you are feeding your cats commercial cat food (in any form) and it’s not labeled vegetarian, specially-made for urinary support, or prescription by the vet then taurine will be supplemented in sufficient amounts.- Slow loss of vision
- Long-term digestive issues
- Laziness and Respiratory problems or Cough.
- Changes in litters of kittens
Slow loss of vision
In the early stages of retinal degeneration, your cat may start to be less willing or able to make forays out into the night and move around in darkness.
Colors that your cat previously recognised may also no longer be picked up as the rods and cones in its retina deteriorate.
You will begin to notice the symptoms of this condition from six months up to two years later and its progression is slow. Because by the time you realize they have it, much of the damage is likely to be permanent—the most a vet can do usually is save whatever sight may remain.
Long-term digestive issues
Slightly inadequate taurine: Slight digestive issues, lethargy – If your cat has some gas or sounds somewhat gassy in the stomach area and they feel a little tired all the time tauring shortage could be blamed. The inability of your cat to metabolize fatty acids can lead as well to:- Skin and coat breakdown
- Immune Deficiencies
- Dental issues
- Diabetes
Laziness and Respiratory problems or Cough
The subsequent occurrence of heart issues evoked by an insufficient taurine diet:- Lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Seizures
- Hind limb paralysis
- A coronary attack
Changes in litters of kittens
Your female cat may have a taurine deficiency if her litters are drastically smaller than they used to be, or the kittens seem underdeveloped. This includes the ability to assess these factors through blood tests and supplement them as needed, which your vet may be able to better assist you with.Is It Possible for a Cat to Have Too Much Taurine?
Prevention is the best route with all of the above conditions. If your cat gets enough meat in its diet to have an adequate amount of taurine, those conditions should not occur seriously. Just like us, cats would experience the effects of anything else that a general lack of taurine in humans is known to cause independently. Cats will have failing eyesight, heart function and digestive competency, reproduction capacity naturally becomes more limited. That nice red mouth comes with a cost, and it is better to not exacerbate the issues by failing to supply them with an essential element in their diet. The question over whether a kitty can have too much of it still remains), but there is no evidence (that I could find) that supplementing with taurine ever caused any issues for cats. Research conducted on animals up to the 1980s showed that any excess taurine should be rapidly taken in and disposed of through feces or urine.Taurine is an amino acid that is essential for a cat’s overall health. Unlike many animals, cats cannot synthesize sufficient taurine on their own, making it crucial that their diet includes adequate amounts. Taurine supports various bodily functions, including heart health, vision, and reproductive performance.
A well-balanced commercial cat food typically contains the necessary levels of taurine. However, signs of taurine deficiency can include vision problems, lethargy, and heart issues. Regular veterinary check-ups can help monitor your cat’s health and taurine levels.
Yes, high-quality commercial cat foods, particularly those that include animal-based proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish, often have higher taurine levels. Always check the label for taurine content, especially in dry foods, as some may have lower levels compared to wet foods.
It is rare for cats to consume excessive taurine since it is water-soluble, and any surplus is usually excreted. However, a balanced diet is essential, so it’s best to consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your cat’s diet.
Symptoms of taurine deficiency can include slow loss of vision, digestive issues, reduced energy levels, respiratory problems, and abnormal litters in breeding cats. If you notice any of these signs, consult your veterinarian promptly.
How can I ensure my cat is receiving enough taurine if I make homemade cat food?
While taurine supplements can be beneficial for cats with known deficiencies, it’s crucial not to over-supplement. Too much taurine can lead to imbalances in other nutrients. Always seek veterinary advice before starting any supplement regimen.
Yes, kittens have a higher demand for taurine due to their growth and development needs. It’s important to feed them specially formulated kitten food that meets these requirements to ensure healthy development.