

It is characterized by symptoms such as panting, abdominal pains, blood in urine, fainting, and overall weakness. Taurine deficiency has far-reaching effects. Dogs of these breeds are at a higher risk of taurine deficiency if not fed an appropriate diet. They include Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Newfoundlands, English Setters, and Saint Bernards. Senior dogs, for example, produce much lower levels of this amino acid, which puts them at risk of taurine deficiency.Īdditionally, some dog breeds are prone to taurine deficiency. However, there are certain scenarios where a dog is unable to make its own taurine. This includes strengthening the immune system, promoting brain cell development, boosting cardiovascular health, regulating electrolytes, and improving reproductive health.įortunately, unlike cats, dogs can synthesize their own taurine. This amino acid is especially important to meat-eating animals such as dogs and cats because it plays a critical role across a wide range of physiological processes. Taurine is an amino acid – one of the 22 basic building blocks of protein. Taurine is also needed to be supplemented in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to prevent its progression.The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Taurine might also improve heart failure because it seems to lower blood pressure and calm the sympathetic nervous system, which is often too active in people and dogs with high blood pressure and CHF. There is some evidence that it improves the function of the left ventricle, one of the chambers of the heart. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why taurine seems to help congestive heart failure (CHF). We supplement our protein packs with taurine.


You may also have seen taurine included in high sugar and high caffeine energy drinks, however no benefit or harm was found with the addition of taurine to these energy drinks. Antioxidants protect cells of the body from damage that results from certain chemical reactions involving oxidation. It is also used to improve mental performance, to prevent the side effects of chemotherapy and as an antioxidant in humans. Some people take taurine supplements as medicine to treat congestive heart failure ( CHF which we sadly see all to commonly in many of our much loved pets and family members), high blood pressure, liver disease, diabetes, and epilepsy. Excess taurine is excreted by the kidneys, not stored in the body so it is not harmful if oversupplemented. Taurine supplements are obtained through a complex chemical equation as shown here. People and dogs following a plant based diet are usually lacking in taurine and it will have to be supplemented. The mammalian body can produce taurine and it makes it from the amino acid cysteine. Taurine is sometimes referred to as ‘a conditional amino acid’ to distinguish it from ‘ an essential amino acid.’ A ‘conditional amino acid’ can be manufactured by the body, but an ‘essential amino acid’ cannot be made by the body and must be provided by the diet. The best food sources of taurine are meat and fish. Taurine is found in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, and blood cells called platelets. Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, but it is often referred to as an amino acid, a chemical that is a required building block of protein.
