If you’re unconvinced about the importance of taurine in your cat’s diet, here are the common risks of taurine deficiency to change your mind and the possible causes you can learn to address.
Risks of Taurine Deficiency
● Retinal damage: Taurine helps maintain your cat’s vision. Photoreceptors in your cat’s retina degrade which causes your cat to turn blind if there is a lack of taurine.
● Dilated cardiomyopathy or heart damage: The muscles in the heart become large, flaccid, and weak, which makes it difficult to pump enough blood. This can lead to congestive heart failure.
● Digestive problems: Taurine is needed to help your cat’s digestive system.
● Complications in pregnancy or fetal development: Pregnant cats must have taurine so the unborn kittens can get the needed nutrition. If the mother lacks taurine, the litter tends to be few and the kittens tend to have poor growth and low weights.
Causes of Taurine Deficiency
● Cats can’t naturally produce taurine. It has to be included in their diet. If your cat doesn’t have enough taurine in her diet or if she prefers dog food that doesn’t have a cat’s needed amount of taurine, then she may have a taurine deficiency.
● An illness left unchecked could also cause taurine deficiency. Symptoms can take time before showing, so ensure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet London, ON.
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