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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.
A cat’s diet largely includes other smaller animals as they are carnivorous. However, most cats avoid consuming the animal’s intestinal tract which contains most fiber. This can lead to a lack of fiber in the cat’s diet. But do cats need fiber? Yes. Lack of fiber can result in irregular bowel movement, digestive issues, and other similar health concerns.
Cats often munch on green grass and leaves to ease constipation. However, they might resist including fiber in their daily meal and only rely on it when ill. But, to ensure your cat’s best physical well-being, you should choose fiber-rich food for cats.
Fiber-rich cat food is essential as it helps in maintaining their digestive health. Thus, pet parents should try to include the necessary amount of fiber in their kitty’s diet. It will help maintain their digestive health and overall well-being. Cat food fiber can be classified based on its solubility.
While choosing cat food with fiber, you should make sure it includes both soluble and insoluble fiber. Besides, the cat’s gut bacteria can break down both soluble and insoluble fiber to produce new compound that helps in nourishing their colon cells.
Fiber-rich cat food contains prebiotics, which means they also contain good bacteria that are necessary for a healthy intestine. So, as a cat parent, you should invest in high-quality cat food with fiber to keep your little fur baby’s gut health in check. However, how much fiber does a cat require??
Although fiber is essential for cats, they require it in limited quantities. Too much fiber can risk restricting absorption of nutrients in their body, whereas too little can lead to poor digestive health. The appropriate quantity of fiber for cats is between 1.4 to 3.5% of their daily calorie intake.
Planning to include cat food with fiber in your kitty’s daily diet? Consider adding the following food options to their meal to increase fiber content in your fur baby’s diet.
Besides relying on the above-mentioned plant-based and animal-based fiber, you can also buy IAMS high-fiber cat food to ensure that your kitty gets the right amount of fiber in its meal. IAMS high-fiber cat food such as IAMS ProActive Health Adult Original with Chicken contains a moderate quantity of fermentable fiber along with the chicken. This cat food with fiber is made using fermentable fiber and chicken that your cat is sure to relish. Besides, IAMS is a popular cat food brand that is known for using best-quality ingredients, so your furry friend gets nothing but the best.
