Behind The Label: Taurine and L-Carnitine for Dogs

When you see a dog food bag or can at your local pet store, the first thing that may catch your eye is the beautiful packaging, but there’s more to dog food than that. Truthfully, there’s a lot of thought and years of research that goes into your dog’s food, and we understand the long-term benefits good dog food can bring to your dog’s life.

With that said, you may have heard about the importance of your dog intaking taurine and L-carnitine, but what exactly are taurine and L-carnitine, and how do they impact my dog’s health?

Learning more about taurine and L-carnitine

Taurine and L-carnitine make up two of the twenty amino acids that your
dog needs to keep their bodies functioning properly. Taurine is needed to help
your dog’s heart, eyes, brain, and other health systems to operate well.
Because taurine is especially important when it comes to your dog’s heart
muscles, some pet food brands have gone the extra mile to add additional
taurine in their pet food lines. “Taurine supplementation (in dog food) may
also be beneficial for the dog’s immune health,” said Dr. Bradley Quest, DVM. “L-carnitine
is also commonly added to light or weight control diets as it can help mobilize
fat for energy in the body.”

L-carnitine is another of the twenty amino acids that play an important
role in your dog’s health. Dogs have the skill of being able to synthesize L- carnitine,
and it can be very important for your dog’s heart health. L-carnitine
transports fatty acids that are vital for cellular production of energy and
removing toxic waste from those cells. L- carnitine is primarily in red meat,
so when you’re evaluating a dog food brand, if you have a brand that utilizes
meat followed by a meat-meal in their recipes, it will bring additional health
benefits to your dog. It’s also a great way to know that your dog is getting
enough taurine and L-carnitine.

“If your dog is eating a high-quality diet that meets the AAFCO
recommendations for canine nutrition, it is likely your dog is getting plenty
of these nutrients,” said Quest. “Since both of these nutrients are high in
meat meals, it is a good idea to choose diets with meat and meat meals.” 

A great example of a dog food brand that fully utilizes red meat and the benefits that come with it is Essence, specifically the Essence Ranch & Meadow recipe. The first four ingredients are boar, goat, lamb, and pork, which are all red meats. The meats in their recipes are also followed by a meat-meal.

The benefit of all Essence formulas containing more than one protein is
your dog will be getting additional health benefits that come from multiple
protein sources. It’s also free of grains, potatoes, and
any other ingredient that doesn’t serve a natural, clean diet philosophy. The
recipes are completed with such healthy ingredients as coconut flour, pumpkin,
and chia seed oil.

Does a dog’s age factor into his intake of taurine and
L-carnitine?

We all know that as a dog’s age, their health needs can increase. This may mean giving your dog additional supplements under the direction of your veterinarian for joint and skin issues or other health issues that may arise due to his age. With that said, do senior dogs need more taurine and L-carnitine? “If your dog is eating a high quality complete and balanced diet, they are likely getting adequate amounts of taurine and L-carnitine,” said Dr. Quest. “However, some dogs may not eat as much as they get older, so it is important to make sure your dog is eating the right amount of food for their body weight.”

It’s always best to talk with your veterinarian if you have any questions about if your dog is getting the benefits he needs for his individual health needs.