Taurine
2-aminosulphonic acid
Also known as: Formula V · Dyna-Taurine · 2-aminosulphonic acid
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For taurine-deficiency related cardiomyopathy in American Cocker Spaniels | 500 mg PO q12h (with 1 gram of carnitine PO q12h) | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Complementary therapy for seizures | 400 mg/40 lbs of body weight PO twice daily | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| For taurine-related cardiomyopathy | 500-1500 mg (total dose) PO per day | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Dilated cardiomyopathy | 500-1000 mg PO q8-12h for dogs weighing under 25 kg and 1-2 grams PO q8-12h for dogs weighing > 25 kg | PO | q8-12h | — | 🌎 NA |
- Complementary therapy for seizures: 'May' help decrease seizure activity
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: Recommended for all American Cocker spaniels; consider in animals with DCM and cysteine/urate urolithiasis (e.g., English Bulldogs, Dalmatians); consider in golden retrievers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese water dogs.
Cats
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For taurine-deficiency related cardiomyopathy | 250 mg (per cat) PO q12-24h | PO | q12-24h | — | 🌎 NA |
| Complementary therapy for seizures | 500 mg per cat PO twice daily | PO | q12h | — | 🌎 NA |
| For adjunctive treatment of hepatic lipidosis | 250-500 mg/day | PO | q24h | — | 🌎 NA |
- For taurine-deficiency related cardiomyopathy: Because taurine is safe and inexpensive, recommend using for any case of myocardial failure.
- Complementary therapy for seizures: 'May' help decrease seizure activity
- For adjunctive treatment of hepatic lipidosis: Taurine may be hepatoprotective and is required for bile conjugation. Cats with hepatic lipidosis waste taurine in their urine.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Taurine is a beta-amino acid that, while classically considered "non-essential" in many mammalian species, is absolutely essential for cats and conditionally essential for certain dog breeds.
- Feline Health: Cats cannot synthesize adequate taurine due to low cysteinesulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD) activity and their obligate use of taurine for bile acid conjugation. Deficiency leads to feline central retinal degeneration (FCRD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
- Canine Health: Certain breeds (e.g., American Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Dalmatians, English Bulldogs) are predisposed to taurine-deficient DCM.
- Other Uses: Used adjunctively for hepatic lipidosis in cats (as it is hepatoprotective and required for bile conjugation) and as a complementary therapy for seizure disorders due to its neuromodulatory effects.
Mechanism of action
- Synthesis Pathway: Synthesized in vivo from methionine and cysteine via the enzyme cysteinesulfinic acid decarboxylase (CSAD) (a process requiring Vitamin B6).
- Bile Acid Conjugation: Crucial for fat digestion. Cats use taurine almost exclusively for this process, leading to obligate loss in feces.
- Cardiac Function: Modulates calcium flux across cell membranes → provides positive inotropic activity without altering the resting membrane potential, and modulates ionic currents.
- Neuromodulation: Stabilizes neuronal membranes and exerts a GABA-like inhibitory effect in the CNS, which may help raise the seizure threshold and reduce seizure activity.
- Platelet Function: Reduces platelet aggregation via calcium modulation.
Safety & warnings
Adverse effects
- Minor GI distress
Precautions
Diagnostic Warning: While taurine is extremely safe, it should not be used as a substitute for adequate diagnosis of underlying cardiac, hepatic, or neurologic conditions.
Monitoring
- Clinical efficacy (improvement in cardiac function, seizure frequency, or hepatic markers)
- Taurine levels (whole blood levels preferable to plasma/serum levels; avoid hemolysis or collection of the buffy coat as it will negate the results)
Pharmacokinetics
Distribution
Intracellular levels of taurine are much higher than in plasma.
Elimination
Excess taurine is rapidly excreted in the kidneys, but if a deficiency exists, urinary excretion is reduced via reabsorption.
Overdose
Toxic potential appears to be very low. No specific acute toxicity information is available, but massive overdoses are likely to be excreted renally without significant harm.
Available products
Formulations
- Tablets
- Liquid
- Capsules
- Powder
Veterinary
- Formula V Taurine Tablets 250 mg (PetAg)
- Dyna-Taurine Liquid 375 mg/4 mL (Harlmen)
Human-labeled
- Various OTC oral dosage forms ranging from 125 mg to 500 mg (available at health food stores)
Regulatory status
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇪🇺 EU · 🇬🇧 UK · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Unless otherwise labeled, store taurine tablets or capsules at room temperature. Protect from light and moisture.
Client information
- Purpose: Used to treat or prevent heart disease (dilated cardiomyopathy), support liver function (especially in cats with fatty liver disease), and sometimes help manage seizures.
- Safety: Extremely safe. Excess amounts are simply excreted in your pet's urine.
- Administration: Can be given with food. If minor stomach upset occurs, giving it with a meal may help.
- Patience: It may take weeks to months to see improvement in heart conditions on an echocardiogram. Do not stop giving the medication without consulting your veterinarian.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.