Your cat may still be a kitten, but they have the soul of a hunter. No doubt, you have seen your kitten pounce and attack toys on a regular basis. All this instinct comes from their ancestors, who were the perfect carnivores.
But being perfect carnivores has its downsides. There are certain nutrients that cats can't make for themselves and can only get through meat. The most important of these nutrients is taurine.
What is taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid—a vital building block of proteins. Whereas humans and dogs can manufacture taurine themselves from other proteins, cats can’t. And cats can't store taurine in their bodies either. They must get a regular supply of taurine with every meal.
Why is taurine important?
Taurine plays a vital role in vision, digestion and heart function. The most serious consequence of taurine deficiency in cats is a severe, potentially fatal heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). With DCM, the muscular walls of the heart become thin and weak, and its chambers enlarge. The heart struggles to pump blood to the rest of the body, a vital function to keep your cat trucking along!
How do I make sure my cat has enough taurine?
The good news is that all Association for American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)–approved commercial diets for cats meet standards for taurine supplementation. So, if you’re currently feeding your kitten an approved diet, you don't need to do anything else to make sure that they’re properly supplemented.
However, cats fed a non-AAFCO-approved food may have problems with taurine deficiency, as there is no guarantee that the taurine levels in the food are sufficient. Likewise, cats who eat a food meant for a different species (e.g., dog food) are likely to become taurine deficient. If your kitten likes to chomp on your dog’s food instead of their own, you’ll want to break that habit and find a way to keep the dog food out of your cat’s reach.
Home-cooked diets may lack proper taurine levels as well. Always consult your veterinarian or a certified veterinary nutritionist before starting a home-cooked diet to ensure that it is properly balanced and supplemented for all the nutrients your kitten needs.
If you are looking to change diets, the VCA care team will be glad to share more details about a healthy diet and help you choose the best one to keep your cat feeling great.
Find out more about taurine supplements and speak to your VCA care team at your next wellness visit if you have diet questions.
