What It Does
A sulfur-containing amino acid that directly controls heart muscle contraction, retinal health, and bile formation. Cats lack the enzyme to produce enough taurine — without dietary taurine, a cat's heart muscle weakens (dilated cardiomyopathy) and the retina degenerates, causing irreversible blindness.
What You’ll Notice
Taurine deficiency develops silently over months. Early signs in cats: bumping into furniture (vision loss), reduced activity, labored breathing. In dogs, certain breeds (Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Newfoundlands) are genetically prone to taurine-related DCM. The good news: heart function can improve within weeks of supplementation if caught early.
Sources & Notes
All cat food must contain taurine. Found in heart, dark meat, and animal tissues. Dog breeds at risk: Golden Retrievers, American Cocker Spaniels, Newfoundlands. Grain-free diets have been linked to taurine-related DCM in dogs.