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Taurine is an important component to all IAMS™ cat foods, such as IAMS ProActive Health™ Adult Original with Chicken.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that is critical for normal heart muscle function, vision, and reproduction in kittens. It is also needed to form the bile salts that aid in digestion. Unlike other amino acids, taurine is found as a free amino acid in body tissues such as the heart and eyes and is not incorporated into proteins
Most mammals manufacture taurine from other amino acids. However, cats cannot manufacture enough and, therefore, must acquire enough additional taurine through diet to meet their needs. In pet food, taurine is naturally found in animal-based protein ingredients and can also be added separately.
Taurine helps in maintaining normal vision, heart muscle function, digestion, normal pregnancy and fetal development, and a healthy immune system. Taurine for cats can only be found in animal-derived proteins.
Taurine can be made by dogs from two other amino acids: cysteine and methionine. As a result, it isn't regarded necessary in their diet. But since taurine is an important ingredient, you can add it to your pet’s diet due to its numerous health benefits.
Taurine criteria for commercial dog food have yet to be established. If you are worried that your dog may have inadequate taurine or if you need guidance on how much taurine to include in your dog's diet, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
It is vital to include taurine in your cat’s food because cats cannot synthesize it. If your cat's food has too little taurine, it will become taurine deficient, which can lead to a range of major health concerns. For example, taurine could cause your cat’s retinas to degenerate and make your pet go blind. Further, this lack of taurine can stifle growth and make it difficult for you cat to reproduce.
Therefore, the minimum taurine requirement for adult cats in commercial pet food is 25mg/100 kcal for dry food and 50mg/100 kcal for canned foods, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials Publication, 2018. However, because taurine requirements vary from one cat to the next, it's always a good idea to check with your vet if you're concerned that your pet isn't getting enough.
IAMS dry cat foods also include taurine as an ingredient to supplement the primary source of this amino acid, which is animal-based protein from sources such as chicken, egg, lamb, and fish. However, these sources can vary in their taurine content, and adding more taurine is a sound approach to ensure optimal taurine levels.Ü
Health benefits of Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid found in muscles, the heart, the brain, and the retina, among other tissues and organs. Unlike most amino acids, taurine does not form cell proteins but has a variety of other functions. Here are some taurine benefits for cats:
Taurine deficiency can cause serious health problems for your cat over time because it is required for many regular metabolic functions. Some of the issues include:
IAMS cat foods are formulated with high-quality, animal-based proteins as their primary ingredient. In addition, they are supplemented with extra taurine to ensure balanced levels of essential amino acids.
IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult with Chicken and Salmon are one of the best foods to feed your cat. This nutrient-dense cat food is available in chicken and salmon flavors. These food ingredients act as the first ingredient to promote a healthy body for play. It also contains natural fiber and prebiotics, which help your cat's digestion. What’s more is that it helps your cat develop strong muscles with rich amounts of protein and provides a complete and balanced diet with no fillers.
Taurine has no significant side effects and is well-tolerated by cats when added correctly. The only side effect reported is minor vomiting which is lessened by providing a supplement with food.
In the late 1980s, taurine was discovered to be an essential component of a cat's diet. Since then, all cat foods have been enriched with plenty of taurine to suit their individual demands.
A high number of cats given unfortified commercial foods suffer from taurine insufficiency. Because cats can't absorb all of the taurine in processed foods and/or can't synthesis the difference between absorption and demand, taurine is considered an essential amino acid for cats.
We all love corn. And why not? Corn on the cob is soft, sweet, and buttery. Just the sight of it can make our mouths water. However, did you know that even cats like corn. This might make you wonder whether corn is good for your feline friend. The answer is yes. In fact, corn is present in many cat foods. It is packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Continue reading to know the importance of corn for cats.
Since cats are omnivores, they need a high amount of protein to support their bodily functions. Hence, corn alone is not enough. One medium ear of corn contains 3.5 grams of protein. And cats need at least 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight.
If your cat is around 8 pounds, they require 16-gram protein at the least. Basically, your cat might have to eat at least 4 or 5 medium ears of corn. And doing that would increase their calorie intake. Hence, corn can only be a part of your cat’s day-to-day diet, not the whole meal. That being said, here are a few benefits of including corn in your cat’s diet:
Carbohydrates might not be the most vital nutrient for cats; however, it is highly digestible. This ensures that your fur baby feel energetic throughout the day. When your cat gets enough carbs, they do not have to use protein to produce energy. Proteins available in their body can focus on their primary role--muscle and tissue growth.
Corn is packed with fatty acids which maintain skin health and prevent inflammation. These fatty acids must be supplied through a balanced diet because your cat cannot produce them in their body.
Antioxidants are essential for cat health since they minimise damage to cells. Vitamin E optimises a cat’s T-cell activation, whereas beta-carotene increases antibody levels and improves vaccine recognition. Here's good news for you: corn is rich in both!
Corn is included in cat food formulas in various forms, such as ground corn, corn meal, corn grits, corn gluten meal, and corn bran. When reviewing the ingredients list on cat food packaging, you may see one or more of the following corn ingredients:
Corn ingredient | What it is |
Ground corn or corn meal | Finely ground and chopped whole corn |
Corn grits | The portion of ground corn containing little or none of the bran (fiber) or germ (the small protein portion at the end of the kernel) |
Corn bran | The outer coating of the corn kernel; largely fiber |
Corn gluten meal | A dried protein source that remains after the corn’s bran, a large portion of carbohydrates, and germs have been removed |
As a cat owner, you might want to serve your feline friend the best corn cat food. However, not all types of corn snacks are suitable for your pet. As a cat parent, you want to avoid feeding your fur baby with corn chips, popcorn, fried kernels, and corn husks. Stick to grilled or boiled sweet corn without any seasoning.
Corn is included in the formulas for all IAMS cat foods, including IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Adult and ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten. It is more appropriate to associate the corn used in our products with “cornbread” rather than “corn on the cob.” The difference is similar to cooked corn versus raw corn. We use only the highest-quality corn in our products. The corn is finely ground, which breaks up the outside covering of each kernel, and then it is cooked for better digestibility.
Corn grits and cornmeal are used in our foods as high-quality sources of carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy. Corn generally also results in lower glycemic and insulin responses than rice. This can be especially beneficial for senior and overweight cats.
