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Taurine in dog food | Source of Taurine for dogs


Taurine is a sulfur-based amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein, very important for the cardiovascular system, brain, eyes and immune system of dogs. Wondering if your dog needs a special dog food with taurine? Richard Hill, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, recommends a standard diet for all healthy dogs. Most do not need a special diet, unless recommended by a veterinarian. He says it’s important for dog owners to know that your pet’s diet should be complete and balanced.

Staurine

Like for humans, the main source of taurine for dogs is in their regular balanced and complete diet. Dr. Hill says that a complete diet is one that contains all the nutrients needed to maintain normal body weight or growth. This includes the amino acids methionine and cysteine ​​which automatically make taurine. Taurine is not required in a dog’s diet because puppies can get it by getting enough methionine and cysteine ​​in their food. The American Association of Feed Control Officials and the National Research Council make minimum recommendations for methionine and cysteine ​​in dog foods.

Your dog also gets taurine from meat protein in his dietand from the eggs and seafood in his food.

So how do you know if your pet’s food is complete and balanced? It is usually clearly marked on pet food packaging. Dr. Hill also recommends dog owners not to choose foods with the lowest protein content (unless your dog requires very few calories as recommended by your veterinarian). Your best bet is to feed a diet to keep your dog lean and healthy.

You can also get the amino acid taurine in a nutritional supplement specifically made for dogs. They come in powder, liquid, or tablet form. However, this should only be done under your veterinarian’s recommendation as you don’t want to over-supply your dog. Your veterinarian will give you the exact dosage your dog should take and recommend the best brand of supplement.

Breeds that need taurine in dog food

Julie Steller, a faculty member at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, says some dog breeds may have more taurine deficiency problems than others, but that research may be inconclusive. . She said Golden Retrievers are over-represented with DCM cases and are a breed known to have problems metabolizing taurine. Other breeds with DCM problems include:

While these larger dogs have more problems with DCM, Dr. Steller said in general any dog ​​is susceptible to the condition.

History of taurine in dog food

Steller said that for about 20 years before World War II, dog food was mainly meat and canned. When metal was needed for war, companies turned to dry food production, which was still mostly meat. In the 1950s, a machine called an extruder was introduced to produce pet food, which produced a delicious crunchy food that required more starch. That has started the trend to include less meat and more carbohydrates. Steller believed it was bad for the health of dogs and cats at the time. But now pet companies have reversed that trend and are adding more meat to their products and including essential nutrients, which ultimately gives standard pet foods much more variety. more taurine source.

To be grain-free food with taurine necessary, needs?

Dr. Hill says no and advises dog owners to be cautious about feeding their pets grain-free food. A grain-free diet consisting primarily of lentils, peas, legumes, and potatoes is not a good source of taurine for dogs. Natural sources of taurine are animal meats such as beef, turkey, eggs or fish.

Taurine in dog food research

Dr. Hill believes that most pet foods sold in the United States are fine to feed your pets. He thinks the larger manufacturers tend to have more extensive research groups, including veterinarians, who are helping determine which ingredients and supplements are best for the body. of dogs. Some companies don’t have the same research resources and may have more problems, but veterinary nutritionists say mistakes can happen with any pet food manufacturer.

Veterinary professors are also wary of false advertising and the use of cute names to lure pet parents to certain products. He believes that if you see an ad that exaggerates or defaces ingredients, that’s a clear red flag.

Dr. Steller recommends that her patients eat a standard diet of canned dry or wet foods on a regular basis. She doesn’t believe in fad diets, such as grain-free or raw, and says it’s too much to give them something else to eat. That said, she believes there are exceptions and that some animals need a special diet, such as dogs with allergies.

Changing your pet’s food should always be done in consultation with your veterinarian, who will have his or her own thoughts on a taurine and grain-free diet with regards to needs. your dog’s specific nutrition. If you have questions or need help with your dog’s diet, try consulting a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who specializes in nutritional management. They have the designation ACVN (American College of Veterinary Nutrition) after their name and a list of them may found here. Also, when looking for food for your dog, check to make sure that the dog food company works directly with veterinary nutritionists and does their own nutrition studies.

Be a supporter: know where taurine in dog food from

The DCM scare has affected grain-free dog food sales in the United States. As a result, many companies that just don’t have grains begin to produce standard dog food, which means there are more diverse than ever. However, if you are concerned that your dog is not getting enough taurine in his diet, know that your veterinarian can easily test your dog’s taurine levels to make sure that the pet is not getting enough taurine. Shortage.

Overall, Dr. Hill and Dr. Steller both believe that the positives can come from any negative situation. There are now more resources and experts looking at pet food safety in the industry. Sometimes finding flaws can lead to changes that not only make the pet food industry safer, but also the human food industry.

The bottom line is that while researchers are still investigating whether a grain-free diet is the cause of DCM, most veterinarians agree that better is better. is sorry. Know what your animal is eating. Be an advocate for their health. With so many options, taking the time to educate yourself can ensure your pet lives a long and happy life.



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