Top 7 Best Dog Foods with Taurine and Carnitine

Over the last year, there has been a big scare in the dog food industry surrounding grain-free foods and the increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). According to the FDA, it is not entirely clear if DCM is the result of the lack of grains, the substitute carbohydrates such as peas and lentils, a lack of proper taurine and carnitine levels, or a combination of these factors.  Taurine and carnitine may not be the primary cause of the increase in DCM cases; however, taurine and carnitine deficiencies can cause DCM.

DCM has traditionally been linked to genetics as the primary cause of this disease. However, the FDA believes that the new diets on the market are likely the cause for the significant increase in DCM cases. The dog breeds commonly predisposed to DCM are Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Newfoundland, and Doberman Pinschers. DCM is most often diagnosed in large and giant breed dogs, but some smaller dogs are also at a higher risk.  

If you have a breed of dog that is genetically predisposed to DCM, it is critical to ensure they are getting sufficient levels of taurine and carnitine. Without these amino acids, your dog will be at a higher risk of some illnesses and diseases, including but not limited to heart disease.

In this article, we will investigate the basics of taurine and carnitine and how they affect our dog’s health. Also, we will take a look at different dog food brands that have enhanced their foods with both taurine and carnitine to help decrease the chances of DCM.

The Basics of Taurine and Carnitine

What is Taurine?

Taurine is an amino acid that has high concentration levels in the heart, eyes, and brain. 

Foods that carry the most amount of taurine are meat products, especially shellfish and dark poultry meat. 

Healthy dogs do not need taurine supplements since their bodies can produce sufficient amounts of both amino acids. Dogs lacking the natural ability to produce adequate levels of taurine and carnitine, often suffer from diseases like cystinuria or DCM.  

What is Carnitine?

Carnitine is an umbrella term that includes compounds such as L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and propionyl-L-carnitine. These compounds are responsible for producing energy through the transportation of fatty amino acids. Healthy dogs can produce enough carnitine naturally so that supplements are rarely needed.

How do Taurine and Carnitine Work Together? If a dog suffers from a carnitine deficiency it cannot deliver taurine to the heart, which in turn results in heart disease.

How much taurine should be in dog food?  If you have a dog suffering from taurine deficiency, you can supplement their taurine intake by 1000 mg per 40 lbs of your dog’s weight.

Top 7 Best Dog Foods that Contain Taurine

All of the dog foods listed below have been enriched with taurine, so they are perfect for anyone looking to supplement their dog’s taurine levels. However, like most foods, the ones listed below also have other excellent properties that can aid with other health conditions in addition to adding taurine to your dog’s diet.

1. Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish & Orange Ancestral Grain Dog Food

Farmina N&D is an Italian brand dog food. It is known for its high-quality, unique ingredients and a large variety of formulas. Farmina N&D Ocean Codfish & Orange has both taurine and L-Carnitine added to this recipe, making it ideal for dogs struggling to maintain proper taurine levels. Because Farmina’s list of ingredients isn’t long, the fact that these ingredients are featured at the bottom end of the list of ingredients doesn’t mean that there aren’t sufficient amounts of each supplement added.

In addition to the added taurine, the Codfish & Orange recipe also has been enhanced with glucosamine and chondroitin. Both supplements make it perfect for dogs who suffer from arthritis or other joint diseases.  The food is also rich in fatty acids such as omega-3 & 6, both aid in promoting good heart health.

Additionally, this food also features several superfoods like spinach, blueberries, and pomegranates, all of which help boost the immune system. And finally, this food also is rich in healthy fiber like beet pulp and psyllium seed husk, to help ensure a healthy digestive system.

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Heart disease
• Arthritis or other joint diseases
• Sensitive Stomachs
• Chronic Yeast Infections
• Food Allergies

2. Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food

Gentle Giants dog food carries only two dry formulas; one is chicken and rice, and the other is a grain-free salmon recipe. Though Gentle Giants dog food isn’t as well-known as many foods out on today’s market, it has been featured on a few different shows like Ellen and Inside Edition for it claims in helping to extend dog’s natural lifespans.

Taurine isn’t in the top 10 ingredients in Gentle Giants Salmon Dry Dog Food, but it is in the top half. This means that the food has a higher content of taurine than most other dog foods (ingredients are listed in order of greatest amount first.) In addition to taurine, this dog food contains an abundance of superfoods like salmon, which is the first ingredient, sweet potatoes, spinach, kelp, and blueberries, to name just a few.

Gentle Giants Salmon formula isn’t just good for dogs with taurine deficiencies; it is also an excellent food choice for dogs with allergies to common proteins and grains. Plus, this formula also contains beets, flaxseed, and probiotics, all of which are known to promote good digestive health.

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Sensitive stomachs
• Allergies

3. Pure Vita Dry Dog Food with Duck and Oatmeal Recipe Taurine

Pure Vita is a natural holistic style of dry dog food. The Duck and Oatmeal recipe has average levels of protein and fat, but features a higher than average fiber content, making it ideal for dogs with weight issues. 

It is full of fatty acids, antioxidants, and superfoods like blueberries and flaxseed. The ingredients in this formula are geared toward boosting heart, joint, and digestive health. Additionally, because this food uses unique proteins and grains, it is ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. However, dogs with severe allergies requiring a grain-free diet will not do well on this food as it does contain oatmeal and barley.

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Allergies
• Arthritis or other joint diseases
• Heart disease
• Weight Management

4. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Turkey Recipe Dog Food

The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Turkey Recipe is a unique style of food. Instead of the traditional kibble, this food requires you to add water, and it becomes more like oatmeal. This food works well for dogs who happen to picky or have a lack of appetite. 

The Honest Kitchen dog food is formulated with minimal high-quality ingredients to optimize nutrition directly from each component, reducing the number of supplements needed to make this a well-balanced diet.

The Honest Kitchen has recently changed this formula to add taurine to the recipe. In addition to it now containing taurine, this food also contains superfoods like kelp and flaxseed. 

This food may seem expensive at first glance, but the reality is that a 4-pound box will make 16 pounds of food! Though this recipe does contain grains, The Honest Kitchen produces a similar formula that is grain-free for those dogs requiring a grain-free diet.

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Allergies
• Weight Management

5. Stella & Chewy’s Whitefish Recipe Dog Food

Stella & Chewy’s has a large variety of diets for various needs, but they specialize in raw diet foods. Most of their recipes are protein forward containing a higher than the average amount, making it an excellent food for dogs needing that extra boost. 

In addition to being a protein-rich raw diet, Stella & Chewy’s White Fish blend is also grain and poultry free making it ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. 

When evaluating the ingredient list, taurine is on the upper half of the ingredients, so for dogs needing a greater boost of taurine, this food would be the ideal choice. 

For dogs that need help maintaining a healthy immune system, this food is rich in antioxidant-rich ingredients like coconut oil, spinach, and broccoli. Finally, this food has high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to help promote good joint health. 

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Compromised immune systems
• Chronic Yeast Infections
• Allergies
• Arthritis & Joint Diseases

6. Natural Balance Grain Free Sweet Potato & Venison Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance has a wide variety of foods that include recipes with grains, grain-free, and limited ingredients. Also, Natural Balance produces a variety of foods specific to breed size and age. 

The Sweet Potato & Venison formula has a slightly lower than average protein level making it ideal for dogs who need to lose weight or those who require a lower protein diet because of health concerns like kidney disease. Additionally, this formula is not only a limited ingredient; it is also hypoallergenic as it has a unique protein, no grains, and no chicken. 

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Chronic Yeast Infections
• Allergies
• Sensitive Stomachs
• Weight Management

7. Taste of the Wild – Pine Forest Formula Dog Food

Taste of the Wild is a well-known protein-rich grain-free food. It has a large variety of proteins and is available online or at most retail stores that carry dog food. 

Taurine is in the top twenty ingredients on this list, making this food one of the higher taurine rich foods available. In addition to the high taurine levels found in the Pine Forest blend, it also contains superfoods like salmon oil and blueberries. 

Though this is a protein-rich food, the protein levels are just above average making it an excellent choice for most dogs who don’t have special protein requirements. However, in addition to its high taurine levels, this food also has an abundance of added probiotics to promote good gut health. 

Perfect for Dogs with:

• Chronic Yeast Infections
• Allergies
• Sensitive Stomachs

FAQs

What foods naturally the richest in taurine?

Seafood is the highest, but since that is rarely seen in dog food, poultry, especially dark meat, is rich in taurine.

Can a dog have too much taurine? 

It is unlikely your dog will have any effect from an abundance of taurine in their diet. That being said, if your dog gets into the bottle of taurine supplements and eats all of them, then it is time to call your vet. However, if you are feeding a food with taurine in it and giving a supplement, it is generally safe if the proper supplement dosing is followed.

How do I know if my dog has a taurine deficiency? 

Your vet will run a bloodwork panel to determine your dog’s taurine levels.

Conclusion

If your dog suffers from DCM or other taurine deficiency diseases, it is imperative you discuss options with your trusted vet. 

For extreme cases of taurine deficiency, changing to food that added taurine generally isn’t enough to offset the health condition. However, that is not to say changing to dog food that has taurine added to it isn’t a good idea or a waste of time, but usually, additional treatment is required. Taurine enhanced foods are perfect for dogs who have less severe taurine deficiency conditions or for the dogs who are predisposed to DCM.

 If your dog needs to have taurine added to their diet, the best option is to use a taurine supplement, which is best given on an empty stomach to ensure the best absorption into the body. Plus, when using a supplement, you have more control of how much taurine your dog is receiving. 

Even for those who have dogs on a supplement, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consult your vet about switching your dog to dog food that has taurine, as taurine in even high doses is very safe.