Taurine
- Thread starter drjsiems
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Anitafrnhamer
Member Since 2013
I found this article, but I strongly urge you to mix the baby food with your cats regular food and consult with your vet. Without the appropriate level of taurine heart damage does occur.
"As an adult, Smokey needs 100 mg of taurine every day. As long as his diet includes enough protein, at least 28 percent, he should be able to get enough taurine. If he is on a special diet, perhaps of home-cooked foods, speak with his vet about whether he needs a taurine supplement. Smokey should never eat dog food over a long period, because dog food has 20 percent less protein than cat food and he won't get taurine and other nutrients."
http://pets.thenest.com/much-taurine-cat-per-day-9714.html
"As an adult, Smokey needs 100 mg of taurine every day. As long as his diet includes enough protein, at least 28 percent, he should be able to get enough taurine. If he is on a special diet, perhaps of home-cooked foods, speak with his vet about whether he needs a taurine supplement. Smokey should never eat dog food over a long period, because dog food has 20 percent less protein than cat food and he won't get taurine and other nutrients."
http://pets.thenest.com/much-taurine-cat-per-day-9714.html
jayla-n-Drevon
Member Since 2015
I had a cat who ate mostly baby food for 2 years
from 18-20 years....I would get her to eat the flaked fish from fancy feast that is real stinky to help get the nutrients...
from 18-20 years....I would get her to eat the flaked fish from fancy feast that is real stinky to help get the nutrients...
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hi Judy,
I do sympathise. I also have a kitty who is not eating a 'complete' diet at the moment. In her case it's due to dental issues. She can't eat proper cat food, and now there are only a few that things she will/can eat (finely minced raw turkey, the gravy from cat food pouches, and liquid cat treats ('Webbox' brand in the UK)).
I'm concerned about her not getting enough taurine and so am currently supplementing around 250mg per day. I dissolve it in a little water and mix it into her food.
I've done a lot of searching online and the recommended amounts for taurine seem to vary a lot, from about 50g to 500g per day for an average cat. I know of a few folks who are giving 250mg per day, and so I've decided to follow suit in the short term...
As I understand it, it is very hard to overdose on taurine, since any excess is excreted in the urine. (The only problem I can think of at the moment is that this might not be appropriate for a cat with the later stages of kidney disease.)
Incidentally, I also supplement taurine in cats' diets for other reasons. For example, sometimes it can seem to act as a 'tonic' in cats that are a little depressed. It seems to have the ability to lift mood, and also possibly stimulates appetite a bit (in my experience, anyway....)
Taurine should dissolve quite easily. And DO dissolve it before adding to food because, apparently, undissolved clusters of crystals can make cats 'excitable'....
Eliz
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