I was discussing Bunny’s eating problem with my raw-feeding friend the other day. Bunny is very, very choosy with food now, so feeding him is quite a challenge.
My friend suggested that I give Bunny taurine as a supplement.
Now, why didn’t I think of that? I know taurine is important for the heart and Bunny HAS heart problems (he is on Fortekor now).
Here’s some information on taurine for cats:
Taurine is critical for normal vision, digestion, heart muscle function, to maintain normal pregnancy and fetal development, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Taurine is an essential amino acid in the cat.
How much to give?
A good rule of thumb is to provide your cat 10 mg of taurine relative to the cat’s body weight in kg a day. For most cats, this will be anywhere between 35 and 55 mg of taurine a day.
Now, I have this taurine supplement which I bought for the cat’s homecooked food:
It is 1000mg. This means the Super Seniors would just need a sprinkle of it in their food each day. I’ve been giving for about 4 days now. Coincidentally, Bunny’s bowel movement improved with it.
Then I found this:
Gastrointestinal Problems: Taurine helps the body produce bile salts needed for fat digestion. Without enough taurine, your pet may develop diarrhea and digestion issues.
Well, well, well…I did not know this before!
And I found more information:
How Are Cats Affected If They Don’t Receive Enough Taurine?
A taurine deficiency can cause many problems in cats, including:
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy. The condition causes the heart to enlarge, affecting its ability to pump blood effectively. Cats affected by dilated cardiomyopathy may also develop congestive heart failure as a result of pumping issues.
- Blindness. A taurine deficiency can cause degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Unfortunately, once these cells are lost, they can’t be replaced.
- Tooth Decay. Taurine helps your cat’s teeth stay strong and healthy. When it’s in short supply, cavities are more likely to occur.
- Reproductive Issues. Cats that don’t receive enough taurine may be unable to have kittens.
- Developmental Concerns. Kittens born to mothers with taurine deficiencies may face growth problems and might be more likely to experience bone fractures.
- Gastrointestinal Problems: Taurine helps the body produce bile salts needed for fat digestion. Without enough taurine, your pet may develop diarrhea and digestion issues.
- Hair Loss. Lack of taurine may also affect your furry friend’s coat and lead to hair loss.
- Immune System Disorders. Without enough taurine, your cat’s immune system may not function optimally. As a result, your pet might not be able to fight off viruses as easily as healthy cats and may suffer from frequent illnesses.
- Diabetes. Taurine helps the body regulate blood sugar. Your pet may develop diabetes without sufficient amounts of taurine.
- Lethargy. Cats affected by the deficiency may appear tired and listless.
In some cases, it may be possible to reverse the effects of a taurine deficiency if your cat is diagnosed in time and begins to receive supplemental taurine. Unfortunately, heart and vision changes aren’t reversible.
This is important too:
How Do Taurine Deficiencies Occur?
Eating a diet that doesn’t contain taurine is the leading cause of the deficiency. Cats that eat homemade foods or eat a vegetarian or vegan diet are most at risk of developing serious health problems related to a lack of taurine. Although caring pet owners often create special diets in an attempt to help their pets, the diets may actually harm their furry friends.
Taurine supplements will increase your pet’s supply of the amino acid, but the supplements may not provide enough taurine to prevent health problems. If you feed your pet a homemade, vegetarian or vegan diet, it’s a good idea to share the diet with your pet’s veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. These professionals can help you tweak the meal plan to ensure that it meets all of your cat’s nutritional needs.
Which foods contain taurine?
Meat and fish are excellent sources of taurine. As obligate carnivores, cats need to consume meat in order to be healthy. Pet food is regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and taurine is so important for cats that the AAFCO lists it as a necessary nutrient in cat foods.
When I used to cook for our cats, I’ve always added this same brand of taurine into their homemade food. All the store-bought foods that we give our cats have taurine too (I do check the ingredients).
But now, I think our Super Seniors need taurine supplementation. So now, I sprinkle a bit of the 1000mg capsule into their food daily. Also, my friend told me that taurine is water-soluble. Hence, whatever that is not needed will be excreted. No worry of over-dosing.
This is only a sharing. Please consult your veterinarian on professional advice for your cats.