Antelope Valley Animal Hospital

04/22/2025

04/19/2025

Let’s dig deep into the topic of amino acids.

Amino acids are essential for cats — they’re the building blocks for protein, and cats require 11 essential amino acids from their diet for their health and well-being. Included within this list of essential amino acids for cats is taurine (the others, if you’re interested, are arginine, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, leucine, tryptophan, lysine, and valine).

Cats can only make a small amount of taurine themselves, so require additional input from their diet. If they don’t consume enough taurine, they can become deficient, which can lead to some serious health complications. These health issues can include:

Central retinal degeneration (CRD)
Taurine is essential for the structure of the rods and cones and tissue of the eye. Without adequate taurine, these structures can begin to degrade, causing permanent loss of vision. If the issue is picked up in time, taurine supplementation can help stop the damage. However, it cannot reverse the damage that has already been done.

Dilated cardiomyopathy
Taurine deficiency has also been linked to the muscles within the heart. A lack of this amino acid can cause problems regarding the contraction of the heart muscles, which can eventually lead to heart failure. If it’s caught early enough, the condition can be reversed following taurine supplementation.

Other health issues that have been linked to a lack of taurine include reproduction problems, digestive issues and limited growth of kittens.

How do cats get taurine in their diet?
You’ll be relieved to know that cat food that contains high-quality animal-based protein will contain adequate amounts of taurine for your cat. Cat food manufacturers also supplement pet food taurine levels to meet certain standards.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends dry cat food should contain at least 1g/kg or taurine, and at least 2g/kg in wet food.

Times when cats become deficient in taurine can include when they’re fed a vegetarian or vegan diet, when they’re fed a home-cooked diet or when they are fed dog food, as taurine levels are lower in dog food than cat food. If this is the case, taurine supplementation will be required.

Written by Howard Calvert

04/17/2025

Reminder that we have bee friendly, drought resistant wildflower seeds available in celebration of Earth Day on the 22nd. No place to plant them, sprinkle them along a favorite path or trail. 🌼🌸🌺🌻🌾🪻🐝

04/10/2025

With Spring having sprung and with places like Tractor Supply devoting entire end caps to this product, we thought this article needed a revisit:

Glyphosate is found in most human and dog food, but what is it, is it dangerous, and can it be avoided? By Dog Food Advisor

04/01/2025

No jokes here: Beginning tomorrow, we will, once again, have wildflower seed packets available to our clients in celebration of Earth Day. Save the bees! 🐝

03/31/2025

This coming Saturday:

03/24/2025

‘Tis the season (well, one of them anyway ). We have long advocated with regard to the benefits of quality Omegas in our pet’s diets. That said, the need is greater given the dry environment in which we live. This article is informative , however, we do not endorse, or benefit from endorsing, any one product. As always, if you have questions , please consult your Veterinarian .

How Omega fatty acids can help reduce shedding in dogs, and ways in which you can increase it in their diet. By the Dog Food Advisor.

03/19/2025

vaccine clinic

***THIS SATURDAY****
March 22nd, 2025
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

no appointment necessary
VACCINES ONLY, no consultations or exams
Please call (661) 273-1234
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. M-F,
if you have questions

03/17/2025

https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/st-gertrude-patron-saint-of-cats/

St Patricks Day is the first thing that comes to mind when most people hear March 17th, but this is also St. Gertrude's feast day ...

03/17/2025

Recall Alert!
Savage Pet
Savage Cat Food Chicken

Action: Voluntary recall
Date: March 15th, 2025

Savage Pet of El Cajon, CA, is recalling 66 Large Chicken Boxes 84oz and 74 Small Chicken Boxes 21oz because the product has the potential to contain H5N1, also known as bird flu.

The food was distributed to pet food retailers in California, Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington and has a lot code/best by date of 11152026. It was distributed in November 2024.

The boxes are cardboard and contain individual plastic packets inside. The lot code/best by date is stamped on the bottom and on each packet.

For more details, please see the full article on the Cat Food Advisor.

03/05/2025

Mark your calendars!

02/24/2025

We would LOVE your votes ❤️

02/17/2025

https://www.catfoodadvisor.com/recalls/warning-about-wild-coast-raw-pet-food-due-to-bird-flu-contamination/

Warning about Wild Coast Raw Pet Food and bird flu contamination. Stay informed with The Cat Food Advisor. Sign up for email alerts today.

02/13/2025

Next vaccine clinic dates

***SATURDAY**** March 1st and March 22nd, 2025
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

no appointment necessary
VACCINES ONLY, no consultations or exams
Please call (661) 273-1234 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. M-F,
if you have questions