* DCM in Dogs: Taurine's Role in the Canine Diet, Whole Dog Journal,
https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/dog_food/dcm-in-dogs-taurines-role-in-the-canine-diet/

News of certain pet food brands’ possible link to heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or enlargement of the heart) in dogs has alarmed pet owners for quite some time now. Even more so when the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) released a list identifying 16 pet food brands implicated in their ongoing investigations. Pet owners got worried as even high-end pet food brands were included in the list.

But what is DCM? How does taurine help prevent this? Does your dog food even have it? To put your worries to rest, here’s what you need to know.

Taurine is an amino acid found in fresh meat. Most healthy dogs can naturally synthesize taurine from their food. However, studies suggest that foods lacking the proper formulation of ingredients, and particularly foods with lower quality meat, decreases the body's ability to synthesize taurine. This is especially concerning for at-risk breeds and could lead to taurine deficiency, posing a risk for heart disease.

WHAT IS TAURINE AND TAURINE DEFICIENCY?

Taurine deficiency can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is lessened because the main pumping chamber is weakened due to being enlarged. Signs of DCM in dogs include:

• Abnormal heart rhythm

• Persistent coughing

• Excessive panting

• Exhaustion

• Loss of appetite

• Swelling of the abdomen

• Brief loss of consciousness

Normal

Ascending aorta

Right atrium

Tricuspid

valve

Right

ventricle

Aortic valve

Left atrium

Mitral valve

Left ventricle

Interventricular

septum

Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Enlarged

ventricles

When Addiction was being formulated 20 years ago by a holistic veterinarian, Dr. Ly, he recognized a correlation between dogs with heart disease like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and taurine-deficiency.

Dr. Ly stressed the importance of how processing is key to how effectively taurine and other nutrients are absorbed by dogs.

All these facts brought about Dr. Ly’s Heart and Aging formulation that included taurine. It was important to him and Addiction Pet Foods to take the lead in preventing heart disease in dogs. It’s the reason why all Addiction dry and raw-dehydrated dog food range are rich in taurine and made with premium ingredients from the purest place on Earth—New Zealand. On top of that, Addiction Pet Foods uses low temperatures to make dog foods, just enough to prevent the degradation of taurine.

“I believe the low levels of taurine and the absence of CoQ10—found in raw heart meat and is the main battery source for heart muscle cells—together with another important heart amino acid (L-carnitine) may cause DCM in dogs exclusively on dry dog food.”

OUR QUEST FOR THE BEST

“Even if you added these into the food, high processing temperatures will render most of them useless. Taurine itself is an antioxidant and oxidizes over time in the bag especially when it is opened!”

- Prevent taurine deficiency and DCM

- Strengthen the heart muscle

- Promote reproductive health

- Provide premium nutrition

START FEEDING TAURINE-RICH FOOD

WHY DOGS LOVE ADDICTION

“Both my pup and I are happy with this food. Because of a recent pancreatic disorder, my 1 year old GSD needed food with a specific fiber percentage. Not only does this food fit the parameters, but it has a high nutrient content and (according to my pup) a great taste. Very happy with this product.

- Jules (Chewy.com)

"Very good product. Have been feeding my dog another brand and recently tried the Addiction dehydrated food and he loves it. Besides the health benefits that dehydrated food gives it is from New Zealand where it is all range free meat and the packaging is very small compared to a equivalent amount of dry food. My dog is much more eager to eat this and his preference is a oatmeal consistency and acts like he is getting a treat."

- Leah (Amazon.com)

"Fabulous! My dogs love this stuff. We tried a sample at a charity event and my dogs have been begging for Addiction ever since. We have high-quality, grain-free kibble on a daily basis. I sprinkle some of the Addiction in with the regular kibble every couple of days as a treat. They love it - and they still eat their other kibble. :)"

- Christy (Amazon.com)

Premium dog food made with high-grade meat and anti-oxidant rich fruits and vegetables from the purest place in the world - New Zealand.

NO GRAIN, GMOs, by-products, fillers, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, artificial flavorings

and artificial preservatives to prevent allergies and help boost your pet's overall health and wellness.