About Taurine in Dog Food
Taurine is an amino acid which is soluble in water, and has been shown to be beneficial for various parts of a mammal's body, including the blood, kidneys and heart. There has been much discussion on the topic of taurine lately, and its connection to the nutritional make-up of animal (including human) bodies.
Vital elements in an animal's body, such as calcium, potassium and sodium, all relay on taurine to help them to move between cells. Its main purpose, therefore, is as a catalyst for the flow of these elements around the body.
Taurine has been a component of cat food for a while now, owing to its value in the health of cats. Recently, manufacturers have begun introducing it as an ingredient in dog foods as well, since it is also beneficial to dog health. The highest amount of taurine in the body is located in the retina of the eye, and there have been cases where low taurine levels in kittens have led to blindness, which was actually reversed when the kittens were given taurine supplements.
As well as eye health, taurine is important for heart health. Low levels in kittens, again, have been found to lead to the heart disorder known as dilated cardiomyopathy. Of course, as most pet owners already know, what is healthy for cats, might actually be harmful for dogs. That is why it is not recommended for dogs to eat cat food as a major portion of their diet.
Only some dog foods have taurine added in their manufacture, so it is important to read the labels carefully to check for this, and make sure you buy one which lists taurine as an ingredient. Many manufacturers are much more concerned with profit than with actual animal health, so it is important for you to know and understand what is good for your dog and what is in the foods you give him.
Most dogs are not particularly fussy eaters, and will happily eat whatever you give them. But then, they don't understand about nutrition. They depend on you for that.
Dog food manufacturers are also not all that concerned about research, their focus being on profit and keeping ahead of all the competition out there. Research takes time, and costs money. Therefore more nutritious foods, which are prepared with regard to the benefits of research, will cost more. You should therefore do some research of your own, to make sure that all your dog's nutritional needs are catered for.
