7 Natural Sources Of Taurine For Dogs (& How Much They Need Daily)

What exactly is Taurine?

We actually do not know the answer to this issue, hence there is no easy response.

To get why, one must comprehend what taurine is and what it accomplishes. Taurine is an amino acid, sometimes known as the “building blocks” of proteins.

There are 22 amino acids that are essential for the body’s correct functioning. Twelve of these 22 amino acids are non-essential.

This does not imply that they are unnecessary, but the body can produce these amino acids when required. The remaining 10 amino acids are necessary amino acids, meaning they must be ingested in order for the body to access them.

Arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine are the 10 essential amino acids. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid that the dog’s body can produce.

How Much Taurine Do Dogs Need?

However, this is where things get difficult. There is no specific science underlying the fact that not all canines are capable of producing the proper quantity of taurine.

The capacity of your dog to synthesize taurine is affected by its age, breed, and health. Taurine helps the health of the heart, eyes, skin, coat, reproductive system, liver, and immune system.

The only person who can tell you how much taurine your dog needs is his or her veterinarian. They may conduct testing to identify whether your dog has a taurine deficiency and provide suggestions depending on your dog’s current requirements.

The good news is that it will be difficult to overload your dog on taurine from dietary sources, therefore here are a few natural taurine sources that can assist maintain your dog’s taurine levels.

Top Seven Natural Taurine Sources for Dogs

Fish

Fish is one of the finest sources of taurine for dogs since it is often richer in taurine than other meats and is filled with minerals and omega fatty acids.

The best sources of taurine include salmon, tuna, sardines, rainbow trout, sea bream, and other cold-water fish. With around 332 milligrams per 100 grams of meat, tuna trumps the competition.

Shellfish

Shellfish is an excellent source of taurine for dogs since it is not only high in taurine but also a new protein for many canines. This indicates that it may be advantageous for dogs with allergies to common proteins. Oysters, clams, scallops, and mussels are all good seafood choices for dogs.

Eggs

Taurine concentration in eggs is debatable, since several studies have shown varied amounts of taurine that seem to be tied to the hen’s diet and supplementation; yet, eggs are a low-cost source of lean protein that many dog owners can afford.

However, full, raw eggs should not be a major or everyday source of protein since they might induce biotin insufficiency. Eggs from chicken, duck, quail, and geese are all suitable for dogs, but chicken eggs are the most accessible and inexpensive.

Poultry

Taurine-rich poultry foods include chicken, turkey, and duck. Taurine concentration is greater in dark meat than in white meat, hence thighs and drumsticks are superior sources of taurine to breasts and wings.

Blood Meat

Beef, lamb, and pig are also excellent suppliers of taurine among red meat proteins. However, they are often heavier in calories and harmful fats than chicken and fish, therefore they should be served in moderation. Raw lamb muscle meat is one of the largest sources of taurine among red meats, with 310mg per 100g of flesh.

Organ Meat

Organ meat is the nutrient-rich tissue that makes up numerous organs in the body. Heart and liver are the greatest organ meat sources of taurine, with chicken liver exceeding beef liver by around 40mg per 100g of meat, with chicken liver weighing in at approximately 110mg and beef liver weighing in at approximately 68mg.

Camel’s Milk

Although goat’s milk contains less taurine than the other protein sources described here, it is simpler for dogs to digest than cow’s milk.

However, goat’s milk is heavy in fat and calories, therefore it should be used in moderation. It is loaded with probiotics and is often regarded as a diet that helps improve digestive health, however goat’s milk may cause stomach trouble in certain dogs.

Conclusion

The majority of dogs do not need taurine supplementation, however your veterinarian can help you evaluate whether or not your dog requires this supplement.

Feeding your dog a balanced diet that adheres to AAFCO recommendations is the best way to guarantee that their food covers all of their nutritional requirements.

Taurine levels in the food are not considered to have a role in the relationship between grain-free diets and DCM in dogs, since the evidence is still inconclusive.

But we suggest giving your dog a protein-rich food that boosts taurine levels and overall health. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) hopes this article, “7 Natural Sources of Taurine for Dogs,” has helped you take better care of your pet.