A taurine deficiency can lead to numerous health issues in cats, such as vision problems and heart disease. It can also affect their reproductive health.
Given its significance, how much taurine should be in cat food to ensure our beloved pets stay healthy and thrive?
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guidelines for the minimum amount of taurine needed in cat food.
For dry food, the requirement is at least 0.1% taurine on a dry matter basis, while wet food should contain a minimum of 0.2% for all life stages.
When considering the caloric content, dry food should provide 0.25g of taurine per 1000 kcal, and wet food should offer 0.5g per 1000 kcal.
However, some cats may have higher taurine needs than others. It is always best to consult your veterinarian to see if your cat is getting enough taurine in their diet.
What is Taurine?
Taurine is an essential amino acid primarily present in animal-based protein sources.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and fall into two categories: essential and non-essential amino acids.
The body cannot produce essential amino acids, so cats must obtain them through diet. Taurine falls under this category.
Cats, therefore, have a unique dietary need for taurine due to their inability to synthesize it in sufficient amounts. They rely entirely on their diet for this vital nutrient.
What Does Taurine Do For Cats?
Taurine plays a crucial role in various bodily functions for cats.
It forms a part of bile, aiding your cat’s digestion of fats and oil, along with vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Taurine also has a significant impact on your cat’s heart health. It helps to regulate the proper functioning of the heart muscle.
Furthermore, taurine supports your cat’s immune system, helping to protect them from illness and disease. It also aids in nerve and brain function.
Finally, taurine is essential for healthy reproduction and fetal development in cats.
Taurine Deficiency in Cats
The symptoms of taurine deficiency in cats can include:
- Feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Digestive problems
- Growth retardation in kittens
- Fetal abnormalities, small litter sizes, or low birth weights
Feline Central Retinal Degeneration (FCRD) is a condition that causes the gradual decline of the retina, which is crucial for vision.
The retina’s light-sensitive cells degenerate, impacting the cat’s ability to see clearly. Initially, cats may exhibit signs of impaired vision, which can progress to more severe vision loss over time.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in cats is a heart disease characterized by an enlarged heart that doesn’t function properly.
In this condition, the heart’s muscular walls thin, and the ventricles dilate. This leads to a decrease in the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
The symptoms of DCM in cats can include
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
DCM can be reversed if caught early and treated with taurine supplementation. Left untreated, DCM can lead to heart failure and ultimately, death.
Taurine is a component of bile salts, which are necessary for proper digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
Cats with taurine deficiency may experience digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence.
Taurine plays a vital role in the development and growth of kittens. A deficiency can lead to stunted growth, poor muscle development, and impaired cognitive function.
In pregnant cats, taurine deficiency can result in complications such as fetal abnormalities, small litter sizes, or low birth weights.
What Foods are High in Taurine?
Animal-based proteins naturally contain taurine. Except for red seaweed, plant-based foods do not typically contain significant taurine levels.
Some taurine-rich foods include:
| Ingredients | Taurine mg/1000 ml wet weight | Taurine mg/1000 ml dry weight |
| Beaf (lean) | 313 | 1505 |
| Chicken (breast) | 159 | 606 |
| Beef heart | 652 | 3461 |
| Oyster | 3960 | – |
| Smoked salmon | 651 | 1591 |
| Scallop | 8270 | – |
| Shrimp | 310 | 1644 |
| Tuna | 1999 | 7495 |
| Whitefish | 1510 | – |
| Rabbit | 373 | – |
| Capelin | 1436 | 6174 |
| Clam | 5200 | – |
| Turkey, dark meat | 3060 | – |
| Chicken liver | 1100 | 4668 |
Data from: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk491/files/aal/pdfs/spitze.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cooking Destroy Taurine?
Taurine loss can occur due to excessive heat during the cooking process.
Since taurine is water soluble, it can leak out when boiling into the water. Most manufacturers then discard it during the production process.
Grinding meat can also destroy the taurine. If you buy packaged meat that the fluid has been lost fluid in the process, the taurine content will be reduced.
Grinding meat and ensuring the juice is retained or added to the food can help preserve the taurine content.
How Much Taurine Do Cats Need Daily?
This study shows that 10 mg/kg body weight/day is sufficient to maintain adult cats in adequate taurine levels.
Wet or canned cat food should have 0.2% taurine on a dry matter basis as per the AAFCO.
For example, say a canned food has 78% water and lists the taurine at 0.05% on an as-fed basis.
On a dry matter basis, it will be 22%. Take 0.05 divided by 22%. It will be 0.22%`which meets the minimum requirement for taurine in wet cat food.
Every 100g of this food will have 0.22g of taurine (100g x 0.22%).
Suppose a cat eats 200g of this food daily. In that case, it will receive 0.44g of taurine per day, which is 440mg of taurine.
However, it is always best to consult your veterinarian, as the exact amount may vary depending on your cat’s needs and health.
Your vet may recommend supplementing with 500mg of taurine daily for cats at risk of taurine deficiency.
Can Cats Make Taurine?
Cats can make taurine but cannot produce enough to meet their daily needs. This is because of the low activity of enzymes that convert cysteine into taurine. Therefore, it is crucial to provide taurine through the diet.
What Happens if My Cat Takes Too Much Taurine?
There is no known risk of overdosing on taurine for cats. Since it is water soluble, the body excretes any excess amount in the urine.
How Can I Ensure My Cat is Getting Enough Taurine?
The best way to ensure your cat gets enough taurine is to feed them high-quality food that meets the AAFCO standards. You should always read the ingredients list and ensure taurine is listed as an ingredient.
Finally, avoid food that uses grains as the primary source of protein, as these diets are often deficient in taurine.
Conclusion
Taurine deficiency in cats is a serious issue that can lead to digestive issues, blindness, heart disease, and other health problems.
To ensure you meet your cat’s dietary need for taurine, feed them a high-quality food that includes taurine as an essential ingredient.
If you go for raw cat food, it should contain taurine-rich organ meats like chicken liver or heart.