Dog Food: Taurine In Dog Food

Taurine is a water-soluble amino acid. It has recently become a hot topic when referring to the nutritional composition that makes up the human and animal physical structure. Taurine has been found to be very beneficial to various components of the mammal skeletal system such as heart, kidneys and blood.

Taurine – “A colorless crystalline substance, C2H7NO3S, formed by the hydrolysis of taurocholic acid and found in the fluids of the muscles and lungs of many animals.” (dictionary.com)

Taurine’s main purpose is to act as a catalyst facilitating the flow of vital elements to and from cells. Elements such as Sodium, (Na) Potassium, (k) and Calcium (ca) depend on Taurine in order for them to move from one cell to another.

Taurine has been a present element in cat food due to its vital properties and just recently pet food manufacturers have been implementing Taurine into dog foods also realizing that this A.A. can be very beneficial to dogs as well as cats. Taurine is most abundantly found in the retina and cases of blindness have been linked to Taurine deficiency in kittens, however in most cases, the same studies showed a reversal of the blindness when Taurine supplements were administered.

Taurine is also very beneficial for the heart, and cases of dilated cardiomyopathy have been linked to low Taurine levels in kittens. (A disease or disorder of the heart muscle, especially of unknown or obscure cause.)

Not all dog food manufacturers add Taurine to your dog food so you need to read labels at all times to make sure that Taurine is included. Most manufacturers are out there to make a buck and are not at all concerned with your dog’s health. For this reason, we tell you to do your homework. You need to know as much as you can about what you are feeding your dog.

Dogs don’t know any better, of course, and will eat anything at all that is placed before them. Your dog depends on your to feed him the best.

With so much competition, research is not high on a dog food manufacturer’s list so that is why you must be so vigilant. Research takes time and money so you will pay for the better more nutritious foods. Take the time and do your own research to ensure that you have touched all of your nutritional bases.