Taurine supplements as a potential solution for diet-associated DCM

August 27 2019

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) started investigating a potential link between increasing numbers of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and certain pet foods. Current research suggests that, next to genetic factors, there may be a group of dogs with diet-associated DCM related to taurine deficiency. Dogs are normally able to synthesize sufficient amounts of taurine from their food. But this may become limiting when they are given low-sulfur amino acid diets, typically containing high levels of legumes or potatoes.

In the latest white paper by Geert van der Velden, IQI’s Innovation Manager, he  describes the situation so far. And he discusses taurine supplementation as a potential solution against diet-associated DCM, as suggested by independent pet food experts at the 2019 Petfood Forum.