Why Cats Need Taurine: Here’s How They Can Get It

Over 10 years ago, taurine, an amino acid, was removed from all energy drinks in Hungary due to a tax on unhealthy products. It hasn't been included in any products sold domestically since then. In energy drinks, caffeine and taurine worked together to create a stimulating effect: caffeine speeds up the body, and taurine helps the body absorb more sugar, providing more energy. This caused quite a stir back then, but few people knew that this mysteriously named organic compound is essential for cats, even though their bodies cannot produce it.

Taurine is an amino acid. Amino acids (there are about 500) are organic compounds that form proteins in both plants and animals and play roles in biosynthesis and neurotransmitter transport, among other functions. While taurine is not essential for adult humans, it is for our feline friends. Most mammals can synthesize taurine from other amino acids, but cats cannot. This is why it is considered essential for them; they must obtain it from their diet.

Why Do Cats Need Taurine?

Taurine serves various functions in a cat’s body. Its main roles include supporting retinal and heart function, aiding digestion, and contributing to reproductive development. Cats that do not receive sufficient taurine in their daily diet can exhibit several negative symptoms related to these functions. The complicating factor is that many of these diseases may not appear until 5 months to 2 years later. These can include retinal degeneration, reproductive problems, impaired fetal development, dilated cardiomyopathy, and digestive issues, particularly with fats.

In many cases, when the problem is identified, supplementing the diet with taurine can slow down or temporarily halt these processes, but it cannot, for example, prevent blindness caused by retinal degeneration. This shows that taurine is indeed a vital substance that must be taken seriously.

How Can Cats Get Taurine?

The importance of taurine for cats was first recognized in the 1980s. Accordingly, all commercially available cat foods today are supplemented with taurine. However, it has also become clear that taurine is found only in animal tissues, and not all added taurine is usable by cats, partly due to the heat treatment used in processing canned cat food. Manufacturers compensate for this by adding more taurine to wet foods than to dry ones. As long as you feed your cat commercially available cat food appropriate for their age and circumstances, you can be sure they are getting enough taurine.

If you feed your cat raw food or cook for them at home—although we believe these methods pose more risks to the animal than benefits—we strongly recommend consulting a veterinarian about the precise menu. The vet can tell you whether your cat is getting the right amount and quality of nutrients.

Nowadays, many taurine dietary supplements are also available without a prescription, but if the veterinarian does not recommend them, your cat probably does not need them. Always consult a professional before giving your pet anything on your own initiative!