Taurine

Why cats need dietary taurine, how dogs differ, and what a Golden Retriever study can tell us about taurine, diet and heart disease.

Ingredient Directory›Taurine

Ingredient & nutrient profile

Taurine

Essential in a cat’s diet, with a different nutritional context in dogs. A taurine listing is useful information, but it cannot tell you whether the whole food is suitable.

AdditiveDogCat
T
TaurineNutritional role • Research • Practical context
SpeciesDogs and cats
ScopeIngredient and nutrient context
AssessmentInitial evidence summary
Sources checked23 September 2026
Nutritional role

What it contributes

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid. Cats cannot make enough to meet their needs, so an adequate dietary supply is essential. Deficiency can damage the retina and heart. Dogs usually make taurine from other dietary amino acids, although low taurine status can occur in some circumstances. [1, 2]

Species and formulation

Read it in context

For cats, assess whether the complete diet supplies adequate taurine, rather than whether meat appears prominently in the ingredient list. Processing and the overall formulation affect taurine availability. For dogs, the Golden Retriever study below concerns animals with taurine deficiency and heart disease; it does not establish that all dogs need an extra supplement.

Research

What the evidence shows

Kaplan and colleagues studied Golden Retrievers with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy. Improvement following diet changes, supplementation and clinical care cannot isolate the effect of taurine alone. This observational study does not prove that one ingredient caused disease. [3]

Limits and safety

Before changing the diet

Suspected taurine deficiency or heart disease needs veterinary assessment. Adding taurine yourself is not a substitute for checking the diet or investigating symptoms, and it does not establish that a food is nutritionally complete.

Food labels

Questions worth asking

Ask whether the food is complete for your pet’s species and life stage, how taurine adequacy is assessed, and whether the figures supplied describe the finished food. Raw, cooked and dry foods all need appropriate formulation.

Connected evidence

Explore the study

Study links follow your species selection. A shared nutrient profile may discuss more than one species.

Dogs • Observational study • Multiple simultaneous interventionsTaurine, diet and heart disease in Golden RetrieversRead the study summary, methods and limitations.
Sources

References and review scope

  1. FEDIAF 2025 nutritional guidelines, section 7.3
  2. FDA investigation: taurine and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (historical investigation summary)
  3. Kaplan et al. (2018), original study

This is an initial, source-linked overview, not a systematic review or a product endorsement. FEDIAF is the European pet-food industry federation; its guidelines provide formulation context rather than an independent clinical trial. Study-specific access limitations are stated above.

Research on this ingredient

We have not completed a research review for this ingredient. This does not indicate that it is ineffective or unsafe.

Products listing or mentioning this ingredient

13 products linked through reviewed ingredient occurrences from manufacturer declarations or partial editorial summaries. Whole-label verification may remain pending. An ingredient’s presence alone does not establish a nutritional outcome.

  • Gilbertson & Page portfolio Hypoallergenic Lamb with Rice (page title includes ‘and vegetables’) Gilbertson & Page portfolio Hypoallergenic Lamb with Rice (page title includes ‘and vegetables’) - Gilbertson & Page portfolio Hypoallergenic Lamb with Rice (page title includes ‘and vegetables’); United Kingdom; manufacturer declaration Dog; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Lily’s Kitchen Chicken Paté Cat Food Lily’s Kitchen Chicken Paté Cat Food, editorial ingredient summary 2026-09-24; United Kingdom; partial summary Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Lily’s Kitchen Chicken with Cod Paté for Kittens Lily’s Kitchen Chicken with Cod Paté for Kittens, editorial ingredient summary 2026-09-24; United Kingdom; partial summary Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Lily’s Kitchen Chicken with Cod Paté for Mature Cats Lily’s Kitchen Chicken with Cod Paté for Mature Cats, editorial ingredient summary 2026-09-24; United Kingdom; partial summary Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Lily’s Kitchen Chicken with Salmon Paté Lily’s Kitchen Chicken with Salmon Paté, editorial ingredient summary 2026-09-24; United Kingdom; partial summary Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Lily’s Kitchen Organic Chicken with Fish Paté Lily’s Kitchen Organic Chicken with Fish Paté, editorial ingredient summary 2026-09-24; United Kingdom; partial summary Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Lily’s Kitchen Organic Turkey Paté Lily’s Kitchen Organic Turkey Paté, editorial ingredient summary 2026-09-24; United Kingdom; partial summary Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • ProDog Raw Muscle+ Dog Weight Gainer Supplement ProDog Raw Muscle+ Dog Weight Gainer Supplement - Muscle+ Dog Weight Gainer Supplement (UK); UK; partial summary Dog; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food - Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food; USA; manufacturer declaration Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice in Gravy Wet Cat Food Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice in Gravy Wet Cat Food - Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice in Gravy Wet Cat Food; USA; manufacturer declaration Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food - Complete Essentials Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food; USA; manufacturer declaration Dog; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Purina Pro Plan Kitten Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food Purina Pro Plan Kitten Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food - Kitten Complete Essentials Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Cat Food; USA; manufacturer declaration Cat; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope
  • Wilsons Pet Food Lamb Premium British Cold Pressed Dog Food Wilsons Pet Food Lamb Premium British Cold Pressed Dog Food - Wilsons Pet Food Lamb Premium British Cold Pressed Dog Food; United Kingdom; manufacturer declaration Dog; Source data captured; Label verification pending; Evidence applicability requires the stated ingredient and study review scope