Now, reputable vegan diets include taurine, so be sure to carefully check labels. I strongly urge that when you feed your dog a plant-based diet, you supplement with taurine.ĭecades ago, prior to understanding taurine’s role in heart health, commercial vegan diets did not typically include it, resulting in unnecessary cases of DCM in dogs consuming these diets. This does not mean that beet pulp is the only culprit in these most recent cases, however it is one of many possibilities that warrants further investigation. Since the amino acids methionine and cysteine are needed to synthesize taurine, decreased protein digestibility would reduce their availability and could result in taurine deficiency. Overall nutritional composition of dietĪ 2016 study published in the Journal of Animal Science and Technology found that beet pulp, a common ingredient in dog foods, decreased taurine levels in dogs by increasing the amounts of bile acids that were excreted in the feces and by decreasing overall protein digestibility.Dog’s ability to synthesize and metabolize taurine.So, while we await further results of the FDA’s investigation, we need to be cautious about drawing “causation” from “trends.” The current information spreading online is leading to unwarranted public panic, as at this time there is no proof that grain-free diets are the culprit and there are many other possible factors that can come into play, including: We know that reports of DCM have risen in dogs consuming grain-free diets, however we don’t know why, and that is an important missing link. The concern is that these grain-free diets are somehow causing low blood levels of taurine and resulting in taurine-deficiency DCM, even in breeds not normally predisposed. Four other atypical cases – a Miniature Schnauzer, a Shih Tzu and two Labrador Retrievers – had normal taurine levels.Ĭommon among these recent cases regarding dogs and taurine is that the affected dogs consumed commercial foods listing potatoes or legumes as primary ingredients, which likely but not necessarily indicates a grain-free food because potatoes and/or legumes typically substitute for grain in commercial diets. However, recently reported cases of DCM have risen and expanded to include other atypical breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and even mixed breeds, prompting public concern and an FDA investigation.įour of the atypical cases reported – three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever – presented with low whole blood levels of taurine. Genetics is considered the greatest risk factor, with large and giant breeds including Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Boxers, Irish Wolfhounds and St. Helps control diabetes and its complicationsĭCM in dogs is characterized by weakness of the heart muscle, leading to complications such as an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure, which can be fatal.Defends the liver against oxidation from free radicals.Taurine plays an important role in many biological and physiological processes, including producing bile salts necessary for fat digestion, regulating electrolytes in cells and balancing neurotransmitters in the brain. Meat, eggs and seafood are the richest sources of taurine. Cats and babies cannot manufacture taurine, so for them it is an essential amino acid that must be obtained strictly from the diet. Taurine is considered a non-essential amino acid for dogs and adult humans because our bodies can synthesize it from the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cysteine in the presence of vitamin B6. Taurine is typically referred to as an amino acid, however it is not a traditional amino acid because it does not serve as a building block of protein, but rather is found abundantly in tissues and organs throughout, including the brain, heart, retina and muscles. Today, I’d like to dive into the topic of dogs and taurine and why it’s important, as well as hopefully quell some of the confusion so that you can make calm, informed decisions as it relates to your dog’s health. Some of these dogs also presented with low blood levels of taurine, a known cause of DCM in certain predisposed breeds, so it’s understandable that many people are concerned about dogs and taurine and the possible relationship between diet and taurine-deficiency DCM. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its investigation into increased veterinary reports of the heart condition dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs consuming certain types of commercial diets. For more than a year, one word has dominated the canine nutrition world, creating confusion and concern among dog lovers.
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