Taurine is an essential amino acid which cats can not synthesize, therefore it must be added to their diet. It is found exclusively in proteins of animal origin and is one of the indispensable amino acids for the cat. Taurine helps to strengthen the immune system, increases the action of natural killer cells (NK), it is essential for the health of the sight and the heart.
Taurine and Arginine are essential for cats
When a cat eats a mouse he/she absorbs an amount of taurine about 10 times higher than that contained in pet food
Taurine deficiency causes
- Central retinal degeneration
- Blindness
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Digestive disorders
- Central nervous system disorders
- Reproductive system
We notice the signs of a lack of TAURINE after many years, when there is nothing we can do!
When a integration with taurine is necessary
If you feed your cat a homemade diet (cooked), it is appropriate to supplement with taurine, but avoid adding it to hot food. Taurine is destroyed by heat!
If you feed your cat barf food diet, the matter is different, the cat takes taurine from raw meat, therefore verify the amount of taurine contained in beef meat, for example, and do your calculations!
Some suggestions
- Only buy from safe producers
- Do not keep taurine close to heat sources or in damp places
- Taurine has no contraindications, its use is quite safe and rare side effects
- Always ask your veterinarian for advice
- Do not think that your cat does not need taurine just because you buy balanced pet food
- Unfortunately taurine is destroyed by cooking and refining of foods
Taurine and Arginine are essential for cats
Arginine for the cat
Arginine is another amino acid essential for the cat, it is involved in the urea cycle and its deficiency causes hyperammonemia.
Symptoms
- Sudden hypersalivation
- Vocalizations
- Vomit
- Muscle spasms
- Ataxia (the cat no longer has control of his body)
- Coma
Arginine is present in all foods derived from proteins, it is contained in:
[ecp code=”TAURINAARGININA”]
- Beef
- Rabbit
- Chicken
- Milk
- Peas
- Seafood
Always check the labels and vary your cat’s food, if you have doubts ask the veterinarian!
Taurine and Arginine are essential for cats
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