Editing Taurine (section)

=== Cats ===
[[Cats]] lack the enzyme [[sulfinoalanine decarboxylase]] to produce taurine and must therefore acquire it from their diet.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Knopf K, Sturman JA, Armstrong M, Hayes KC | title = Taurine: an essential nutrient for the cat | journal = The Journal of Nutrition | volume = 108 | issue = 5 | pages = 773–778 | date = May 1978 | pmid = 641594 | doi = 10.1093/jn/108.5.773 | url = https://www.researchgate.net/publication/22499901 }}</ref> A taurine deficiency in cats can lead to retinal degeneration and eventually blindness &nbsp; a condition known as [[central retinal degeneration]]<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1138364 | doi=10.1126/science.1138364 | title=Retinal Degeneration Associated with Taurine Deficiency in the Cat | date=1975 | journal=Science | volume=188 | issue=4191 | pages=949–951 | pmid=1138364 | bibcode=1975Sci...188..949H | vauthors = Hayes KC, Carey RE, Schmidt SY }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Nutrient Requirements of Cats, Revised Edition |date=1986 |publisher=Board On Agriculture |isbn=978-0-309-07483-4}}</ref> as well as hair loss and tooth decay. Other effects of a diet lacking in this essential amino acid are dilated [[cardiomyopathy]],<ref name="pmid1138364">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hayes KC, Carey RE, Schmidt SY | title = Retinal degeneration associated with taurine deficiency in the cat | journal = Science | volume = 188 | issue = 4191 | pages = 949–951 | date = May 1975 | pmid = 1138364 | doi = 10.1126/science.1138364 | bibcode = 1975Sci...188..949H }}</ref> and reproductive failure in female cats{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}.

Decreased plasma taurine concentration has been demonstrated to be associated with [[feline dilated cardiomyopathy]]. Unlike CRD, the condition is reversible with supplementation.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, Morris JG | title = Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy | journal = Science | volume = 237 | issue = 4816 | pages = 764–768 | date = August 1987 | pmid = 3616607 | doi = 10.1126/science.3616607 | bibcode = 1987Sci...237..764P }}</ref>

Taurine is now a requirement of the [[Association of American Feed Control Officials]] (AAFCO) and any dry or wet food product labeled approved by the AAFCO should have a minimum of 0.1% taurine in dry food and 0.2% in wet food.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maxshouse.com/nutrition/aafco_cat_food_nutrient_profiles.htm|title=AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles |access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529172000/http://maxshouse.com/nutrition/aafco_cat_food_nutrient_profiles.htm|archive-date=2015-05-29}}</ref> Studies suggest the amino acid should be supplied at {{val|10|u=mg|up=kg}} of bodyweight per day for domestic cats.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Burger IH, Barnett KC |year= 1982 |title= The taurine requirement of the adult cat |journal= Journal of Small Animal Practice |volume= 23 |issue= 9 |pages= 533–537 |doi=10.1111/j.1748-5827.1982.tb02514.x}}</ref>