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Taurine is an essential nutrient for the health of cats
Taurine is a nutrient that plays an important role in many essential functions in a cat’s body. It is naturally found in animal tissues and is especially important for normal heart function, healthy vision, reproduction, the nervous system, and immune function.
Unlike many other animals, cats cannot produce enough taurine on their own from other amino acids. Their bodies cannot convert the building blocks methionine and cysteine into sufficient amounts of taurine to meet their daily needs. Therefore, cats rely on a regular supply of taurine from their diet.
If you feed your cat a homemade diet, taurine supplementation should be considered
Taurine is often overlooked when preparing homemade cat food. Although raw meat naturally contains taurine, the amount can vary depending on the type of meat and the parts used. Because taurine is an essential nutrient for cats, additional supplementation is often recommended when preparing homemade diets.
Heat can reduce the taurine content of food. While raw meat contains naturally occurring taurine, cooking may lower the available amount. Cats fed cooked homemade diets may therefore require taurine supplementation to help meet their daily requirements.
Long-term taurine deficiency can lead to
- retinal degeneration, which can lead to vision loss
- dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition
- a weakened immune system
- reproductive problems
The appropriate amount of taurine depends on the type of diet being fed. Raw meat, especially raw heart, naturally contains taurine. However, additional supplementation can help ensure that a homemade diet provides a consistent supply of this essential nutrient.
Typical dosage
25–50 mg per kg body weight per day, mixed with water or food. Avoid unnecessary over-supplementation. Adding taurine with a small amount of water helps it dissolve and mix well with the food.
Please note:
Additional taurine supplementation is not necessary and is not recommended when feeding cat food prepared with TCPremix. Cat food made with TCPremix according to the provided instructions already supplies a minimum of 200 mg taurine per daily serving.