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The Importance of Taurine in Kitten Foods
The Importance of Taurine in Kitten Foods-mob

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The Importance of Taurine in Kitten Foods

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Taurine is an important component found in all IAMS™ kitten foods. This essential amino acid is critical for normal heart muscle function, vision and reproduction in kittens. It is also needed to form the bile salts that aid in digestion. Unlike other amino acids, taurine is found as a free amino acid in body tissues, such as the heart and eyes, and is not incorporated into proteins.

Most mammals manufacture taurine from other amino acids. However, kittens cannot manufacture a sufficient amount and therefore must acquire enough additional taurine through diet to meet their needs. In pet food, taurine is naturally found in animal-based protein ingredients and also can be added separately.

 

Why Does IAMS Add Taurine to Kitten Diets?

IAMS kitten foods are formulated with high-quality animal-based proteins as their primary ingredient. In addition, they are supplemented with extra taurine.

We supplement taurine in IAMS dry and canned cat foods to ensure we provide optimal levels of this essential nutrient. IAMS wet kitten foods, such as IAMS™ Perfect Portions™ Healthy Kitten Paté with Chicken, are supplemented with taurine because they must contain as much as twice the amount of taurine found in dry food for cats to maintain adequate blood taurine levels. The canning process may affect the complex taurine balance in your cat or kitten. Our wet cat foods are supplemented with taurine to meet these higher needs.

IAMS dry kitten foods, such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten, also include taurine as an ingredient to supplement the primary source of this amino acid, which is animal-based protein from sources such as chicken, egg, lamb and fish. However, these sources can vary in their taurine content, and adding more taurine is a sound approach to ensure optimal taurine levels.

 

Effects of Taurine Deficiency

Kittens that eat a diet deficient in taurine can develop several serious health conditions.

 

Blindness

Taurine is essential to the proper development and function of cells in the retina of the eye. If insufficient taurine is present, the retinal cells don’t function properly and may die, eventually causing impaired vision and even blindness. This process is referred to as feline central retinal degeneration.

 

Heart Disease

Taurine is also necessary for normal function of the heart muscle cells. Taurine deficiency leads to a weakening of the heart muscle, which, in turn, can lead to heart failure. This condition is known as dilated cardiomyopathy and can be fatal.

To help protect your kitten’s health, both now and when she is fully grown, make sure to feed a diet with sufficient taurine. Learn more about the nutritional needs of kittens.

 

Reference

Case L, et al. Canine and Feline Nutrition. 3rd ed. Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier, 2011.

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  • Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten

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    Kitten Training

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    Your kitten is one of a kind, not to mention adorable. But training your li’l baby comes with some basic guidelines. Scroll on for a handful of our favorite kitten training tips.

     

     

    Set up your kitten for litter box training success.

    Introduce your new kitten to their litter box as soon as they get home. Then always set your cat in their box right after meals and as soon as they wake up from naps.
     

    And don’t forget to reward your kitten with a treat, toy or some extra love after they use it.

     

    Kitty, meet litter.

    Litter, meet kitty.

     

     

    Nip kitten biting in the bud.

    When Kitty forgets their manners and bites you or shows their aggressive side, say “ow” or “no” clearly and sternly.
     

    Then slowly remove your hand — or other body part — from their razor-sharp clutches. Pick up your kitten, place them away from you, walk away and ignore them.
     

    You can also redirect them to a feather wand or another toy or activity if you want. But that’s your call.

     

    Ouch!

    That’s my hand,

    not a treat, tiny cat.

     

     

    Squash kitten scratching (and save your furniture).

    By giving your little feline lots of sturdy scratching posts throughout your house, especially where they like to hang out, you can save your favorite furniture from unwanted claw marks and damage.
     

    Oh, and be sure to trim your kitten’s nails regularly.

     

    Say it with me:

    Sofas are NOT

    scratching posts.

     

     

    Cue the cat carrier training.

    Teach your kitten that their cat carrier is a safe, comfortable place to chillax and feel protected.
     

    Trust us, by making a carrier part of your fuzzball’s daily life, road trips and vet visits will be easier and safer for years to come.

     

    Cozy up,

    Buttercup.

     

     

    It's midnight. Bring on the zoomies, furry one.
    (Actually, please don’t.)

     

     

    Curb the crazies when you’re asleep.

    Want to stop your kitten from bouncing off the walls while you’re supposed to be deep in slumber land? Try these tips.

     

     

    Did you know there are five distinct cat personalities?

    Yep, it’s true! One of our favorite Opens a new windowstudies from the University of South Australia proved it.

     


    To help train your kitten, pick the word that best describes them:

     

     

     

     

    Skittish

    These anxious felines tend to run away when the doorbell rings and are fearful of new situations.


    The key to training a skittish kitty? Practice lots of patience and never force them to face their fears, like meeting your house guests after they’ve already runaway and hidden.
     

     

    Outgoing

    Some call them nosy, but we call them fearless. Outgoing kitties are curious and adventurous. They love to explore and get into everything — and they sometimes act naughty because they’re bored.


    One of the tricks to training an outgoing kitten is to give them lots of toys and actively play with them. It stimulates their mind and helps burn off energy.
     

     

    Dominant

    “Bossy” best describes these kitties. They bully other cats (and even other pets) and hog things like food bowls, toys and litter boxes.


    If your kitten fits this category, be consistently firm and make sure you play with them regularly so they have less energy to be aggressive.


    You might also want to make sure your little CEO (Cat Executive Officer) has their own food bowl, water bowl and litter box.
     

     

    Spontaneous

    Two words describe these felines: impulsive and erratic. Their behavior and moods are unpredictable, even if they’ve encountered the same situation before.


    When training, never raise your voice — it’ll just ramp up your kitty’s nerves and make them more erratic.


    Also, be sure to stick to a consistent daily schedule for feeding and playtime so your little fuzzball knows what to expect and doesn’t get stressed out.
     

     

    Friendly

    This personality is every cat lover’s dream.


    These sweeties can usually be found curling up against your shins, meowing loudly and purring away.


    The key to training these kittens is to never yell and to socialize them early and often. That way, they’ll continue to be everyone’s best friend for life.

     

    You had me at
    meow, li’l feline.

    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten