Vital Nutrient: Are Taurine Supplements for Cats Necessary?

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Good news: Your cat is likely getting all of the amino acid taurine they need from their regular diet. Quality pet foods—wet or dry—are formulated to contain the right amount of taurine, along with other amino acids necessary for your cats. So when do you need a taurine supplement for cats?

Sometimes, there are dietary exceptions. If your cat is eating a restricted or specialized diet, including a raw food diet, or if your cat is diagnosed with a taurine deficiency, your vet may advise you to add taurine to their diet. Fortunately, taurine is available in supplement form.

Read on to learn about taurine supplements for cats, and be sure to check with your veterinarian before introducing any new supplements to your cat’s diet.

Why Cats Need Taurine

Many animals (including our dogs) are able to synthesize taurine on their own; cats, however, must get taurine from the food they eat. Check the labels on the foods you buy to make sure your kitty’s regular diet includes taurine (quite likely, it does). Without sufficient taurine, kittens can’t develop properly and adult cats are at risk of blindness and heart conditions—not what you want to see your cat suffer. The Clinical Nutrition Service at Tuft’s Cummings Veterinary Medicine Center has some great background on what our domestic cats need to eat to thrive.

According to veterinary nutritionist Dr. Deborah E. Linder, taurine needs to be part of a carefully formulated diet. “Other ingredients in the diet can affect how taurine is broken down in the gut and how available it is to the cat so it’s important to feed a diet that has been carefully formulated and tested,” she says.

A quality cat food, wet or dry, will have the right mix of ingredients to enable your cat to digest taurine.

How to Choose Taurine Supplements for Cats

• Look for brands that have commissioned clinical studies of their products.
• Read labels carefully to ensure quality and safety.
• Look for a lot number on the product. This is a sign that the company uses quality control checks.
• Choose brands with confirmed expertise.
• Be wary of claims that sound too good to be true. Vitamin supplements are just that—supplements. They are not cure-alls or medications.
• Do not give human supplements to your cat, as they may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats.
• In general, the best options will be available through your veterinarian.

The bottom line about taurine supplements for cats: Talk to your vet first before introducing any nutritional supplement into your pet’s diet.

Taurine Supplements for Cats

To address a health condition, see your veterinarian for prescription taurine supplements that can help. The list below covers over-the-counter supplements designed for cats. Some contain only taurine, while others contain a mixture of cat-specific supplements that include taurine. You’re likely to find taurine included in a cat multi-vitamin, and also in the high-calorie, nutrient-rich supplements given to cats who are unable or unwilling to eat their regular food.

Thomas Labs Felo Taurine Cat Supplement Powder

This easy-to-use powdered supplement is designed to ensure that your cat is getting sufficient taurine in their diet. Just mix with food or water—the company recommends giving it with a meal or just after to reduce the chance of stomach upset.

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VetriScience Cardio-Strength Capsules

This veterinarian-approved supplement for cats and dogs contains taurine and 10 additional ingredients to support the heart, including L-carnitine, CoQ10, potassium, and fatty acids.

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PetAg Taurine Tablets

These chewable taurine supplements get high reviews from cat parents who report their cats are willing to eat them, whole or crushed. Made in the U.S., the tablets include brewers yeast, whey, hydrolyzed soy protein, and magnesium stearate, along with taurine.

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Beef and salmon oils accompany taurine in this freeze-dried powder. Read the recommended dosage carefully—cats only need small amounts of this concentrated supplement.

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Tomlyn Felovite II Nutritional Gel Cat and Kitten Supplement

This tasty gel supplement with taurine and other vital nutrients is intended for use in intermittent or supplemental feeding when your cat is not able to eat a regular diet. Check with your veterinarian for advice on how to use it for your cat’s specific needs.

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Further Reading

• We Open the Lid on the Best Wet Cat Food
• Crunch! The Best Dry Cat Foods for Your Kitty to Nosh
• The 10 Healthiest Cat Foods to Dish Out on a Budget
• a href=”https://www.rover.com/blog/best-vitamins-for-cats/”>Vitamins for Cats: Does Your Kitty Really Need Them?

Featured image by Ramiz Dedaković/Unsplash