Raw material and nutrient lexicon
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Taurine
Taurine is not a classical vitamin, but has a vitamin-like significance for cats. In contrast to farm animals and dogs, cats are only able to synthesise taurine from the amino acid cysteine to a very limited extent. In metabolism, taurine plays an important role in the development of the central nervous system and, bound to cholic acid, is involved in the emulsification of dietary fats as so-called taurocholic acid (a bile salt). In cats, a deficiency of taurine triggers a degeneration of the photoreceptors of the eye, which can lead to blindness of the animals. In addition, a deficiency of this substance in cats is also involved in the development of cardiomyopathies (heart diseases). Cat food is therefore always supplemented with pure taurine
