![]() ![]() The average mouse provides ~30 kilocalories or an estimated 8% of feral cat's daily energy requirements. Small rodents make up ~40% or more of the feral domestic cats diets, with small rabbits, insect, frogs and birds making up the remainder. This eating pattern probably reflects the relationship between cats and their prey. Cats typically eat 10-20 small meals throughout the day and night. Feral or outdoor cats feeding primarily on mice, voles and insects tend to live solitary lives when food is scarce and spread over a large area, but when food is plentiful and concentrated as with households, dumps and farms cats can be found living in large groups. Feeding behaviors that have evolved to fit this lifestyle include searching, hunting and caching of prey as well as postprandial behaviors such as grooming and sleeping. The evolutionary history of the cat indicates that it has eaten a purely carnivorous diet throughout its entire development. Domesticated cats (Felis catus) have evolved unique anatomic, physiologic, metabolic and behavioral adaptations consistent with eating a strictly carnivorous diet. From a dietary perspective, dogs are omnivores and cats and other members of the suborder Feloidea are strict carnivores. Strictly speaking, cats and dogs are members of the order Carnivora and are therefore, classified as carnivores. How have our efforts to domesticate cats been affected by this dietary requirement? Taurine for cats update#We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable.In their natural environment, cats are an obligate carnivore, meaning that their nutritional needs are met by eating a diet that consists of animal-based proteins (i.e. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. Safety and side effects of taurine? Taurine is generally considered to be safe as a supplement at moderate doses but may modestly reduce blood pressure (see Concerns and Cautions).For pets, the dose depends on the weight of the animal and ranges from 250 mg to 1,000 mg twice daily (See What to Consider When Using). How much taurine should I take and when? Taurine is typically taken at a dose of 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg (1 to 2 grams) twice or three times daily.Top Picks for taurine - Among the products Approved in testing, Top Picks that provide the best value and convenience were selected for people as well as for pets.The cost was even higher (up to 49 cents) with pet formulations (See What CL Found). The cost to get 500 mg of taurine ranged from just 1 cent to 18 cents in supplements for people. What did CL's tests of taurine supplements find? found no problems with the quality of a selection of taurine products sold in the U.S., but there were large differences in the cost to obtain taurine.In addition, it may be helpful in people with congestive heart failure or liver disease and in dogs and cats with dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition often linked to diet and taurine deficiency (See What It Does). Taurine supplementation can help reverse deficiency. This is most likely to occur among vegetarians and pets fed non-conventional diets. Do taurine supplements help? Diets that do not provide nutrients needed to produce taurine or taurine itself, can lead to taurine deficiency.What is taurine? Taurine plays many functions in our bodies and in those of dogs and cats, but there is generally no need to supplement with taurine because it is produced in the body from other nutrients in the diet (See What It Is). ![]()
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