“Taurine? Is that an astrological sign!” No, that’s Taurus. . .
Taurine is an element mentioned in cat food, even in the kitty kibble provided here at KEOS! But what exactly is this mystical element and what does it do for my cat?
What is this “Taurine”?
Taurine is a nutrient mentioned on the packaging of your kitty kibble. So safe to say, just like other elements mentioned such as protein and fats, Taurine is another chemical compound. It actually is a sulfonic acid, but in nutrition we may refer to it as an essential amino acid. There are 2 key topics that can be discussed about Taurine:
- Firstly, this compound plays a critical role in many physiological functions in cats.
- Secondly, cats have a limited ability to synthesize taurine, so they must obtain adequate taurine from their diet.
Both of these topics will be discussed deeper in detail in this article, we will also cover the risks should a cat be lacking this essential amino acid. So without further ado, let’s understand this chemical compound together!
Taurine, the benefits
We would not be putting Taurine into your pet’s diet if it had no benefits. It actually is an ESSENTIAL element in the diets of your cats. The benefits of Taurine include:
- Vision (Retinal function): supports normal retinal function.
- Heart health: supports healthy cardiac function.
- Immune system: supports normal immune system regulation including the body’s ability to respond to infections and inflammation.
- Reproduction & development: supports normal reproductive performance, including fetal development and growth in kittens.
- Digestion: supports normal bile acid conjugation and fat digestion
While this sounds like a wonder chemical, almost even vital for basic functionality of our cats, these animals actually can’t produce this component on their own.
Fantastic Taurine and where to find them
Ok, that is confusing, the benefits mentioned seem to have an integral role in the lives of our kitties.
- Are they really incapable of synthesising this material on their own?
Yes, unlike dogs and other mammals, cats have limited ability to create taurine from sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine and cysteine. This is due to low activity of key enzymes thus preventing cats from creating the essential amino acid on their own in a sustainable manner.
And to make it worse, compared to other animals, being integral to digestion, they can’t recycle the material efficiently and so actually continuously lose more taurine through bile excretion.
- Ok but how do they obtain taurine?
Natural taurine is found primarily in animal tissues, which is why animal-derived ingredients are the most reliable dietary sources for cats. Think of muscle meats, especially darker cuts, as well as organ meats such as the heart and liver. Seafood and fish are also a great source.
Some other considerations; the taurine content of food can be influenced by processing methods. Heat, grinding, and storage can potentially reduce taurine contents if not taken into account in the formula itself.
This is why careful dietary balancing is essential in commercially prepared pet food.
Right, but why should I care about Taurine? The benefits are nice but maybe my cat can live without it.
What happens when cats do not get enough taurine?
Short answer is, no. Taurine deficiency is actually detrimental for your pet. Signs of taurine deficiency may not appear immediately but can develop over time. Here are key symptoms to look out for:
- Vision loss: Feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD), a condition that progressively impairs vision and may result in irreversible blindness.
- Heart problems: dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in cats, a serious condition where the heart becomes enlarged and less efficient at pumping blood, which also leads to cats feeling weak/lethargic.
- Deficiency during pregnancy may lead to poor development or reduced survival rates.
Diets low in animal protein, poorly formulated homemade diets, excessive processing without proper supplementation, long-term feeding of unbalanced food are all potential causes for Taurine deficiency.
This is why ensuring adequate taurine intake requires a carefully balanced diet that consistently meets established nutritional requirements. In complete and balanced cat foods, taurine is already a key nutritional consideration, which is why taurine deficiency is now much less common in cats fed properly formulated commercial diets.
At KEOS, our formulations are developed with these needs in mind. With our core value being nutrition first, our mission is to help provide essential nutrients such as taurine in appropriate amounts to support your cat’s overall health and wellbeing; through our simply good kibbles.
