Taurine is not only a common ingredient in many energy drinks, but is also essential for the health of dogs. A permanent deficiency can have serious consequences and lead to serious diseases. Below you can find out what tasks taurine has in the body, how your dog is supplied with it and whether a dietary supplement is necessary.
The most important things at a glance
- The aminoethanesulfonic acid taurine fulfills various important functions and is required for growth and heart health, among other things.
- A lack of taurine can trigger various complaints in dogs and lead to heart diseases such as DCM, for example.
- Taurine is contained in animal foods such as meat and can be produced in sufficient quantities by most dogs themselves.
- In certain situations, the additional administration as a dietary supplement to avoid a taurine deficiency can be useful.
What is taurine?
Taurine is an aminoethanesulfonic acid that is formed when the amino acid cysteine is broken down. Taurine is important for the central nervous system and muscle growth, among other things. Apart from that, the dog’s body needs them to be able to form bile acid. Other tasks of taurine are, for example:
- Promotion of blood circulation
- Heart health support
- promotion of fertility
- vision support
Taurine for canine heart health
Based on the numerous functions, it should quickly become clear that an adequate supply of taurine is vital for your dog. In the event of a taurine deficiency, the probability of diseases of the cardiovascular system also increases significantly. Dogs can then develop DCM, among other things. The abbreviation stands for dilated cardiomyopathy. DCM is common in dogs and causes the heart chambers to enlarge. As a result, at some point the heart muscle is no longer able to pump blood through the body in sufficient quantities.
What causes a taurine deficiency in dogs?
Unlike cats, dogs are normally able to produce sufficient amounts of taurine themselves. However, for reasons that have not yet been clearly clarified, this does not appear to apply to all dogs. Some dog breeds are more often than average affected by a taurine deficiency and the associated consequences. Breeds at risk in this regard include the Doberman Pinscher, the Golden Retriever and the Newfoundland.
Symptoms of tauring deficiency in dogs
If there is a lack of taurine in a dog, this can manifest itself through various symptoms. These include weakness and fatigue, increased panting, coughing and weight loss. In addition, a taurine deficiency in dogs can permanently impair vision and cause growth disorders in puppies. If you notice corresponding symptoms in your four-legged friend, a prompt visit to the veterinarian is of course essential. The veterinarian can measure the taurine level in the blood and thus find out whether there is actually a deficiency.
Do Dogs Need Taurine Supplements?
Taurine occurs naturally in animal foods such as meat and is therefore also contained in dog food. Some manufacturers even add extra taurine to their food to prevent deficiency even in susceptible dog breeds. For this reason, and because of the ability to produce taurine itself, supplementation is not mandatory for most dogs. However, the additional gift can have a positive effect on heart health.
This is especially true if the vet has diagnosed your dog with a taurine deficiency or if the four-legged friend suffers from a disease such as DCM. The dosage depends on the size and weight of the animal. It usually ranges between 500 mg and 2 g daily.
Taurine for dogs: risks and side effects?
An overdose of taurine is generally considered harmless. Therefore, you do not normally have to worry about any side effects in your dog if you have decided on a supportive dietary supplement with taurine. Of course, this does not mean that you should give your four-legged friend any amount of taurine. Despite the fact that there are no risks according to the current state of knowledge, make sure you use an appropriate dosage.
Conclusion
As you can see, a taurine deficiency is also quite possible in dogs. The consequences of such a deficiency range from exhaustion to heart disease and growth disorders. Under certain circumstances, the additional administration of taurine as a dietary supplement can therefore make sense. It is best to talk to the vet if you think your dog may be taurine deficient.