#TAURINE GOOD FOR DOGS FULL#

These breeds include Golden Retrievers, American Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds (it’s also believed some dogs among these and other giant breeds can have a genetic disposition to taurine deficiency). For example, recent research has established a link between taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in certain dog breeds 1. Pet nutrition is a constantly moving field of research and new findings about taurine levels in dogs are being made all the time. You should be able to see this fact on the front of most packaging.

#TAURINE GOOD FOR DOGS FULL#

To meet this requirement, cat food is not only packed full of meat or fish, but it’s also supplemented with taurine levels set by regulatory bodies. Their bodies need a substantial amount of taurine, but they lack the same ability to create their own supply. That’s why taurine isn’t usually added to dog food.įor cats, it’s a completely different state of affairs. Similar to humans, dogs are generally better at producing a sufficient amount of taurine themselves, along with the assistance of a meat-heavy diet. Our livers can even produce their own supply from other amino acids, which means that vegetarians and vegans needn’t fret too much if they’re bypassing the traditional sources. Taurine isn’t something humans need to worry about - it’s naturally found in many common foodstuffs, such as meat, fish and dairy, as well as on the ingredient list of many energy drinks. So what does taurine do exactly? Basically, when there’s enough taurine circulating around the body, it performs a vital behind-the-stage role, quietly aiding in the healthy function of the nervous, digestive and immune systems.Īs such, there can be some nasty side effects when there’s a deficiency - often, a shortage can lead to eye problems, cardiovascular issues and even kidney dysfunction. Put simply, it’s an amino acid.ĭepending on how much attention you paid in your biology lessons, you may or may not already know that amino acids are known as the building blocks of life.Įssentially, they’re molecules used by the body to form the proteins necessary for good physical health - taurine is just one of them and it’s present in most mammals’ bodies. When doing research on pet food, you’ll inevitably come across the word taurine at some point or other and quite naturally, you’ll wonder just what exactly it is.

Taurine good for dogs