What is Feline Taurine Deficiency?

Taurine is an essential nutrient (an amino acid, a building block of protein) for cats. This amino acid cannot be made in their bodies because cats don't have the enzyme needed. Therefore, cats require taurine as part of their diet every day.

Taurine is found in most animal proteins, such as meat, liver, and eggs, and is easily obtained from natural prey such as fish, birds, and rodents.

Since 1987, taurine has been fully available in commercially prepared cat foods approved for use in U.S. feeds Association of Control Officials (AAFCO). Fortunately, it turns out that taurine deficiency is not as common as it used to be.

Taurine has a wide range of basic functions throughout the cat's body. This is important for your cat’s heart, brain, and reproductive health. This is necessary for vision and the production of bile acids, which aid in food digestion. When a cat is deficient in taurine—which usually occurs after months of not eating enough—symptoms develop in these body systems.

When acute, it is not considered a medical emergency, but over time, permanent damage can occur, leading to blindness or even heart failure. Therefore, as a pet owner, it is important to ensure that your cat is getting enough taurine in its food every day.

Symptoms of taurine deficiency in cats

Symptoms usually only appear after several months of insufficient taurine intake, but usually include the following symptoms:

1. Eye damage that may lead to blindness - You may first notice your cat bumping into objects, appearing disoriented, having trouble finding food/water bowls and toys, and showing reluctance to enter or get up and down dark rooms stairs. You can even see a greater light (reflectivity) in their eyes.

2. Impaired reproduction - This may lead to spontaneous abortion, infertility, low birth weight and birth defects. Affected kittens may have poor growth and development.

3. Cardiac dysfunction and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which may lead to eventual heart failure. Pet parents may see their cats have difficulty breathing, pale or blue gums, a weak pulse, general weakness, collapse, or even death.

4. Deafness

5. Immune deficiency, which may manifest as repeated infections

6. Not wanting to eat or drink

7. Exercise Obstacles

8. Muscle atrophy

Causes of taurine deficiency in cats

Taurine deficiency in cats is usually due to A poor diet without enough taurine. Examples include:

1. Non-fortified commercial cat food

2. Human meals

3. Vegetarian diet

4 , Feeding Dog Food to Cats

How Veterinarians Diagnose Taurine Deficiency in Cats

< p>Diagnosis is usually based on the onset of symptoms and checking taurine levels in the blood. Whether taurine levels are high enough can usually be determined by analyzing the cat's food.

If vision problems occur, eye tests may be done, such as an electroretinogram (ERG), which can detect changes in retinal function. Cats with symptoms of heart disease will be screened for DCM with X-rays and echocardiograms, in which an ultrasound probe is used to see inside the heart.

Routine laboratory tests such as complete blood count, internal organ function screening, urinalysis, and tests for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may also be completed.

Treatment of taurine deficiency in cats

Treatment of taurine deficiency in cats requires taurine supplementation, which may be lifelong, but usually It only takes a few months until the cat's symptoms improve.

The diet is also changed frequently to ensure cats are getting a complete and balanced diet, which is approved by AAFCO, the organization that ensures pet food safety and quality, requiring the correct amount of taurine in the feed . Your veterinarian can recommend a high-quality taurine supplement, but the quality of recommended supplements varies by manufacturer. Taurine tablets and Dyna-Taurine liquid are labeled for use in cats.

When looking for the best diet to feed your cat, consider that the minimum taurine requirements for commercial pet foods for adult cats are 25 mg/100 kcal for dry food and 50 mg/100 kcal for canned food.

However, it is important to note that needs may vary from person to person, so be sure to discuss giving your cat the appropriate amount of vitamin supplements with your veterinarian.

Cats with heart disease, especially those with heart failure, will frequently receive medications, most of which will be lifelong.

There is no treatment for cats diagnosed with retinal damage and/or blindness because these symptoms are incurable. However, supplementation is recommended to prevent further damage from occurring.

Recovery and Treatment of Taurine Deficiency in Cats

The prognosis for cats with taurine deficiency varies and ultimately depends on the cat’s symptoms. With supplementation, cats diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy have a good prognosis and can show improvement in just a few weeks and can continue to have a good quality of life.

Cats with retinopathy will have permanent damage, as will cats with congenital defects. However, most cats can adapt to blindness and learn to rely on their other senses. There are certain things you can do at home to ensure a safe environment, such as:

1. Minimize moving furniture

2. Block access to stairs and swimming pools.

3. Keep the floor tidy

4. Keep your cat indoors

5. Apply padding to sharp edges and corners

< p>Also, be sure to get your cat's attention before approaching or petting it to avoid scaring it. Voice commands can be helpful when moving around your home.

Prevention of Taurine Deficiency in Cats

Fortunately, taurine deficiency is preventable. Because cats require daily supplements of taurine, which is found in high amounts in animal protein, it is important that the diet include adequate sources of animal meat and by-products, which are included in most AAFCO-approved diets.

Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet and Purina One all use highly digestible proteins and ensure that all their products include taurine in the nutritional profile.

Be sure to avoid home-cooked diets, diets containing excess plant protein, and commercially prepared dog foods. These diets are often nutritionally unbalanced and do not contain enough taurine.

Frequently asked questions about taurine deficiency in cats

What foods do cats eat that are high in taurine?

Most animal protein tissues, such as muscle, heart, brain, and internal organs, contain high levels of taurine. Unfortunately, taurine is not found in plants.

How often do cats need taurine?

Taurine is a cat's daily requirement and can be easily met by feeding a properly balanced, high-quality commercial cat food.

What are the side effects of taurine deficiency in cats?

Taurine is important for heart, brain, and reproductive health, and is also necessary for vision and the production of bile acids, which aid in food digestion. When taurine is deficient, symptoms such as heart disease, blindness, and spontaneous abortion can occur.

What is the relationship between taurine deficiency and cardiomyopathy in cats?

Taurine is thought to help regulate the heart's ability to contract (pump) and store and make energy, and to help regulate blood pressure, thus protecting the heart. Taurine-deficient cats develop dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, which can lead to heart failure.