Taurine Supplementation Has Not Been Proven to Prevent DCM in Dogs

by Chelsea Kent March 7, 2021

Summary of the FDA online publication regarding DCM:

There is no direct correlation between Taurine deficiency and DCM based on current FDA information.

Almost all of the dogs that tested high in Taurine were diagnosed with DCM, while only a little over half of those that tested low in Taurine were diagnosed with DCM.

Most breeds only had 1-3 dogs’ records submitted. (To be clear, this analysis is only on pets that had their Taurine levels tested (whole blood or plasma or both). This is a total of 179 pets (3 of which were cats). This is a much smaller number than was used in their "don't use grain free foods" document (560 - according to this document only 349 even had their medical records reviewed (62% of pets referenced in the "study") and only 179 had their Taurine levels tested (32%)).

Only 19 necropsies were performed, meaning that the severity of disease and definitive diagnosis has only occurred in 3.4% of pets analyzed. Some necropsies evidence that assumed "heart disease" was actually not DCM.

At the end of the report they state that they will recheck Taurine levels 2-6 months after switching diet. It’s important to remember that these tests will be done after the supplementation of synthetic Taurine and heart medication as well. Low Taurine levels would then be a failure of the medication and supplementation as well. Further, elevated Taurine levels, as seen by this analysis, does not decrease the risk of the development of DCM of other heart diseases.

Important take-away, “Dogs that eat grain-free, AND dogs with DCM, do not always (or even normally) test low in Taurine.”

Pets with "Low" Taurine levels:

Total number - 84 (46.9% of all pets that had their Taurine levels tested were "low" in Taurine)

WITH DCM - 53 total. Therefore, 63.1% of all pets that tested "low" in Taurine had DCM. This is 39.8% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 29.8% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES - 21 total. This is 25% of all pets that tested "low." This is 67.7% of all non-DCM cases. This is 11.8% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NORMAL HEART - 10 total. This is 11.9% of all pets that tested "low." This is 71.4% of all normal heart cases. This is 5.6% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

Pets with "Normal" Taurine levels:

Total number - 52 (29% of all pets that had their Taurine levels tested had "normal" Taurine levels)

WITH DCM - 38 total. Therefore, 73.1% of all pets that tested "normal" in Taurine had DCM. This is 28.6% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 21.3% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES - 10 total. This is 19.2% of all pets that tested "normal." This is 29% of all non-DCM cases. This is 5% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NORMAL HEART - 4 total. This is 7.7% of all pets that tested "normal." This is 28.6% of all normal heart cases. This is 2.2% of (560) all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

Pets with "High" Taurine levels:

Total number - 29 (16.2% of all pets that had their Taurine levels tested had "high" Taurine levels)

WITH DCM - 28 total. Therefore, 96.6% of all pets that tested "high" in Taurine had DCM. This is 21% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 15.7% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES - 1 total. This is 0.34% of all pets that tested "high." This is 2.9% of all non-DCM cases. This is 0.5% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NORMAL HEART - 0 total

Pets with "Mixed" Taurine levels: (Whole Blood and Plasma were both checked with results showing one high or normal and another low or normal)

Total number - 6 (3.4% of all pets tested were "mixed" in blood and plasma Taurine)

WITH DCM - 6 total. This is 100% of all pets that tested "mixed" in Taurine. This is 4.5% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 3.4% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES - 0 total.

NORMAL HEART - 0 total.

Pets with "Unknown" Taurine levels: (Taurine test was done but results are "unknown" for an unknown (unstated) reason)

Total number - 8 (4.5% of all pets tested were "unknown" in Taurine)

WITH DCM - 8 total. This is 100% of all pets that tested "unknown" in Taurine. This is 6% of all pets that were diagnosed with DCM. This is 4.5% of all pets whose Taurine levels were tested.

NON-DCM CARDIAC CHANGES - 0 total.

NORMAL HEART - 0 total.

How each breed rates:

- Mixed Feline - A total of 3 cats were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. Two tested "low" in Taurine and 1 tested "high." All were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Australian Shepherds/Mixes/Mini's - A total of 4 were referenced, or 2.2% of all animals analyzed. 1 tested "low" in Taurine, 1 tested "normal" in Taurine, and 2 tested "high" in Taurine. All were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Australian Cattle Dog - A total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. Both tested "high" in Taurine. Both were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Akita - A total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "high" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Basenji - A total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "high" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Beagle/Mixes - A total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. Two of these dogs tested "high" in Taurine and one tested as "unknown." All were diagnosed with DCM.

- Blue Heeler Mix - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Bluetick Coonhound - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Boxer/Mixes - a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. Two of these dogs tested "low" in Taurine and one tested "mixed" in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Boston Terrier - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "normal" in Taurine and the other tested "high" in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Bulldog Mix - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Catahoula Leopard Dog - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "mixed" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Chesapeake Bay Retriever - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "unknown" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Chihuahua - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% non-DCM)

- Cocker Spaniel - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. These dogs both tested "low" in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Collie/Smooth & Rough - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "low" in Taurine and was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM), the other dog tested "high" in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (50% DCM & 50% non-DCM)

- Corgi - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% non-DCM)

- Coton de Tulear - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Doberman/Mix - a total of 9 were referenced, or 5.1% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested "low" in Taurine and were diagnosed with DCM. 7 tested "normal" in Taurine, 5 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 2 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (22.2% DCM & 77.8% non-DCM)

- English Setter - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "unknown" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- French Bulldog - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "low" in Taurine, the other tested "high" in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Golden Retriever/Mixes - a total of 59 were referenced, or 33.1% of all animals analyzed. 39 dogs tested "low" in Taurine, of those 22 were diagnosed with DCM, and 23 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 13 dogs tested "normal" in Taurine, of those 5 were diagnosed with DCM and 8 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 1 tested "high" in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (47.5% DCM & 52.5% non-DCM)

- Great Dane/Mixes - a total of 11 were referenced, or 6.2% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested "low" in Taurine, 4 dogs tested "normal" in Taurine, 4 dogs tested "high" in Taurine, and 1 dog tested "mixed" in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- German Shepherd/Mixes - a total of 7 were referenced, or 3.9% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "normal" in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. 4 dogs tested "high" in Taurine, two of which were diagnosed with DCM and 2 of which were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 2 dogs tested "mixed" in Taurine and were diagnosed with DCM. (71.4% DCM)

- German Shorthaired Pointer - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "normal" in Taurine and one dog tested "unknown" in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Hound mix - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Labrador Retriever/Mix - a total of 12 were referenced, or 6.7% of all animals analyzed. 6 dogs tested "low" in Taurine, 4 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 2 were NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 5 dogs tested "normal" in Taurine; all were diagnosed with DCM. 1 dog tested "high" in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (83.3% DCM & 16.7% non-DCM)

- Maltese - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Mastiff - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "high" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Miniature Schnauzer - a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "normal" in Taurine, one tested "high" in Taurine and one tested "unknown" in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Newfoundland mix - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Pitbull/Staffordshire Terrier/mixes - a total of 12 were referenced, or 6.7% of all animals analyzed. 5 of these dogs tested "low" in Taurine, 4 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 1 was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 3 dogs tested "normal" in Taurine, 2 of which were diagnosed with DCM and 1 was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). 2 dogs tested "unknown" in Taurine and both were diagnosed with DCM. (66.7% DCM, 33.3% non-DCM)

- Pomeranian - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "unknown" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Pug - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "high" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Rhodesian Ridgeback mix - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "low" in Taurine and one tested "normal" in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Samoyed - a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. All 3 dogs tested "low" in Taurine. All dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Poodle/mixes - a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested "low" in Taurine and 1 dog tested "normal" in Taurine. All 3 dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Shetland Sheepdog - a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. All 3 dogs tested "normal" in Taurine. 2 dogs were diagnosed with DCM and 1 was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (66% DCM & 33% non-DCM)

- Shih Tzu - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Standard Schnauzer - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Viszla mix - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "low" in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% DCM)

- Wheaten Terrier/mix - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. One dog tested "low" in Taurine and was NOT diagnosed with DCM. The other dog tested "normal" in Taurine and was diagnosed with DCM. (50% DCM & 50% non-DCM)

- Whippet - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was NOT diagnosed with DCM (non-DCM). (100% DCM)

- Welsh Terrier - a total of 1 was referenced, or 0.5% of all animals analyzed. This dog tested "normal" in Taurine. This dog was diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Yorkshire Terrier - a total of 3 were referenced, or 1.7% of all animals analyzed. 2 dogs tested "normal" in Taurine and 1 dog tested "high" in Taurine. All 3 dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)

- Unknown Crossbreed - a total of 2 were referenced, or 1.1% of all animals analyzed. 1 dog tested "high" in Taurine and 1 dog tested "unknown" in Taurine. Both dogs were diagnosed with DCM. (100% DCM)