The taurine is one of the most important essential amino acids for the proper functioning of the heart muscle, vision, digestive system and reproduction in cats. Unlike other mammals, cats do need the presence of this amino acid in their body.
Unfortunately, cats cannot synthesize enough taurine from other amino acids to function properly. Therefore, to meet their needs, it is necessary to provide them with this amino acid externally, that is, through food.
A taurine deficiency can be detrimental to a feline's he alth, leading to blindness, heart or growth problems, and nervous system deficiencies. If you have a cat at home, continue reading this article on our site and you will know which foods are rich in taurine for cats, and thus maintain the good he alth of your pet.
Importance of taurine for cats
As its name suggests, taurine is so essential that any cat diet should contain it It's aamino acid that is only found in natural conditions in proteins of natural origin and that helps in many ways. Discover the properties of foods rich in taurine for cats:
- Acts as antioxidant.
- Regulates water and s alt in cells throughout the body.
- Stimulates muscle growth.
- Helps bile production.
- It works as a neurotransmitter.
- Positive presence in the cells of the retina of the eye (for this reason of blindness).
Food containing taurine for cats
It is best to give taurine in a natural way, that is, obtain the amino acid from protein sources of animal origin, always try to give it organic protein, respectful of the animal world and of good quality. At each meal, a cat should take between 200 and 300mg of taurine.
- Chicken meat: especially the meat from the area of the legs, it is the place where there is more presence of taurine. The liver is also very good. Of course, avoid the skin or fat, taurine is found in the muscle.
- Beef or cow liver: Beef liver contains high doses of taurine, as well as the heart, which also yields because it is usually quite large. It is important that you know that taurine is lost when exposed to high temperatures, especially the taurine present in meat and viscera. Therefore, try to get some offered raw, as part of the raw or BARF diet for cats.
- Seafood: Shrimp, clams, and scallops have even more of this amino acid than other animal proteins.
- Fish: Fish meat can also offer a good amount of taurine to your feline. The most recommended are sardines, salmon or tuna, in addition, it is also advisable to offer them raw.
- Eggs: Eggs also have a good amount of taurine. You can choose between chicken, duck, quail or pheasant eggs, depending on availability.
Do you know more foods rich in taurine for cats that we should add to the list? If so, leave us your comments and explain which of them you use to supplement your pet's diet.
Does commercial cat food contain taurine?
In fact, any commercial food must contain taurine, since it is part of the nutritional requirements of the species, therefore, even low-quality foods should include taurine among its components. However, it is essential to point out that we must always choose a quality feed, as natural as possible, since low quality feed contains flour and artificial taurine
When you visit the pet supply store, check the list of ingredients in the feed. If you see that they include taurine as one more ingredient, it has been added artificially, since this amino acid must already be naturally present in the food. To better understand the commercial cat food it is essential to know what the composition of the cat food is.
How to offer food rich in taurine for cats?
To make the most of the nutrients in a food and thus favor the absorption of taurine, it is advisable to opt for raw diets, such as the aforementioned BARF diet. In fact, on our site you will find detailed information to learn how to prepare 5 BARF recipes for cats Of course, it is important to consult your veterinarian if you intend to implement them in the day to day.