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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 19:30:16 GMT -5
If I feed the ferrets and cats 2 meals of heart every week do I need to supplement with taurine?
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 19:39:03 GMT -5
Two entire heart meals a week should be more than sufficient for a ferret. Not sure about what cats taurine needs are, so hopefully someone else can answer that. I feed one heart meal a week and supplement with a bit of taurine just to be extra careful (I know taurine deteriorates in the freezer).
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Post by Sherry on May 31, 2011 21:02:33 GMT -5
I tend to err on the side of caution with the taurine, so also feed 2 a week ;D Cats are fine with that as well.
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Post by Heather on May 31, 2011 23:05:19 GMT -5
I do too. Occasionally, if there are a bunch of hearts and gibbies on sale I will let them have some for just plain muscle meat meals too. It makes for some darker stools but they enjoy it ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 1:08:52 GMT -5
exactly what parts of meat have taurine in it? also, whare do you recommend buying taurine? any websites that u trust to buy it? would like to have it on hand.
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Post by Heather on Jun 1, 2011 2:11:51 GMT -5
The darker the meat the more taurine...level of blood. Actually, mice have a higher rate of taurine than heart meat so I've read. I don't have any actual numbers and would love to hear the supporting numbers if they exist. I don't supplement taurine (actually I don't supplement anything except for some fish oil that I use as treats), but if you feel the least uncomfortable about it do so. I believe that taurine is excreted through the urine so unlike vit a you can't really overdose on it. I don't have any brand names that are good but anyone who supplements might be able to offer up some brand names. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 2:24:47 GMT -5
I use the powdered NOW brand of taurine. Got it on amazon.com. Just pure taurine Eyes and brain are just as rich in taurine as well
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 4:02:35 GMT -5
My furkids get heart every day. Taurine is in all meat but reported to be higher in the dark meats. Which was why a diet of solely ground rabbit fed to some cats in a clinical study ended up causing dietary deficiencies that caused the death of at least one cat if I remember correctly. Anyway taurine is not synthesized in the body nor is it stored, so what the animal needs HAS to come from it's daily intake. What the animal doesn't need gets excreted.
So I base my thinking on a few facts: since taurine deteriorates when the meat gets frozen and all meat from the grocer has been frozen at some point, then feeding heart daily covers their needs without worry of overdose.
1 lb tubs of "Farmers Pride" turkey hearts run 1.40 each from Publix. Turkey hearts are huge and I cut them into quarters or sixths. Allowing one piece per ferret. Tyson packages chicken hearts and gizzards for about 2.00
If I feed live rodent I forego the daily heart feeding because fresh meat has taurine that has not deteriorated.
cheers, Kim
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 10:51:38 GMT -5
Thanks. I found hearts cheap enough to be able to feed twice a week and Id rather o that then supplement.
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Post by kristin on Jun 1, 2011 11:23:48 GMT -5
I feed one heart meal a week and supplement with a bit of taurine just to be extra careful (I know taurine deteriorates in the freezer). Does it deteriorate over time? Or is it just the act of being frozen that deteriorates it? I've been grinding up a pound of hearts and mixing it in with their daily food. Comes out to about 2 oz. heart per ferret per week. Should I add more?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 11:35:44 GMT -5
I think it's the cold that deteriorates it. I'll have to find the links later
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Post by kristin on Jun 1, 2011 11:39:31 GMT -5
I think it's the cold that deteriorates it. I'll have to find the links later Us pseudo-scientists love our references!!
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