Cat lovers — did y'all know this?

[Oeditpus Rex]

Taurine is essential for cat health, as cats cannot synthesize the compound. The absence of taurine causes a cat's retina to slowly degenerate, causing eye problems and (eventually) irreversible blindness — a condition known as central retinal degeneration (CRD)<37><38>, as well as hair loss and tooth decay. In addition, taurine deficiency can cause feline dilated cardiomyopathy, and supplementation can reverse left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Taurine is now a requirement of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and any dry or wet food product labeled approved by the AAFCO should have a minimum of 0.1% taurine.<39>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. no. I did not know this. Thanks for posting it.

:hi:

[mainegreen]

2. Cats should drink Moxie energy drink then.

Its got taurine.

[DS1]

6. I was thinking

for those nights when I feel like waking up with my arms snapped and my face crushed

[mainegreen]

7. Holy Ponytails, Batman!

Tell me that's a photoshop.
PLEASE TELL ME THAT IS NOT REAL!!!

:cry:

[DS1]

8. Fruit-flavored genocide in a can.

tuck in

http://www.agonybooth.com/articles/Steven_Seagal_s_Lightning_Bolt.aspx

[BarenakedLady]

3. Yes

Which is why it is nearly impossible to have them on a vegetarian diet.

[Lorien]

4. Yep. That's why feeding a cat tuna, baby foor or ground meat

just won't do. Taurine comes from organ meant, so unless you are going to mix hose things with ground hearts and livers, kitty won't be getting what he/ she needs to survive!

[InvisibleTouch]

9. Good to know that.

I knew about the taurine, did not know the natural source. Thanks!

[Heidi]

5. Yep.

Dr. Dürr explained this to me in great detail when we switched Ginger's wet food to all-bio wet food with no additives; Ginger gets his taurine in his dry food. :hi:

[applegrove]

10. There was a time when they didn't put it into processed cat food and cats

on the whole got sick. Now I think it is a regular ingredient in all cat food.

[SOteric]

11. No wonder grandma felt so spry on a steady diet of Fancy Feast.