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Related: About this forumWhat is Taurine?
What is Taurine?
You see that name on cat food labels (and the side of Red Bull cans). Taurine is an non-protein-building organic acid widely distributed in animal tissues.
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What does it do?
Taurine has many fundamental biological roles such as conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, and modulation of calcium signaling. It is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina, and the central nervous system.
Taurine & Cat Health:
Taurine is an essential dietary requirement for feline health, since cats cannot synthesize the compound (like humans do). The absence of taurine causes a cat's retina to slowly degenerate, causing eye problems and (eventually) irreversible blindness a condition known as central retinal degeneration, as well as hair loss and tooth decay.
Is your cat getting enough Taurine? This may be a problem in certain cases when a cat is fed an all-natural protein diet based on red meat. Taurine can be found naturally in poultry and fish.
Taurine is now a requirement of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and any dry or wet food product labeled approved by the AAFCO should have a minimum of 0.1% taurine in dry food and 0.2% in wet food. Just don't make your cat drink energy drinks!
Thanks to Oskar the Blind cat and his brother Klaus
https://www.facebook.com/BlindOskar
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)and make sure I see it on the label. A healthy cat is a happy cat!