Carnivores: Supplement meat-based diet with amino acids

Overall effectiveness category Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

90%
Certainty

25%
Harms

0%

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Some amino acids cannot be made in the body and are therefore essential within the diet. For felids, taurine is an essential amino acid and a deficiency in taurine can cause diseases if not present in the diet.

Study locations

Key messages

One replicated, before-and-after study in the USA found that supplementing an animal-protein diet with taurine, increased plasma taurine levels in maned wolves.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated, before-and-after study in 2001 of maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus in a research centre in the USA, found that supplementing a protein-based diet with taurine increased the average plasma taurine levels. When fed a supplemented animal-based protein diet, average plasma taurine was higher (91.18 nmol/ml), and within target domestic canine reference ranges, compared to no supplement (animal-based protein: 18.79 nmol/ml; plant-based mean: 4.03 nmol/ml). Four wolves were maintained on the commercial diet (animal-based protein) and two were maintained on an experimental diet (plant-based protein). Four weeks prior and at the end of the trial, animals were restrained and sedated to collect a 12 ml blood sample. Due to clinical signs including weight loss and decreased appetite, the diet trial was terminated early and taurine supplementation (0.3% concentration) was deemed necessary. Taurine concentrations were monitored over a four-month period.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Childs‐Sanford S.E. & Angel C.R. (2006) Taurine deficiency in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) maintained on two diets manufactured for prevention of cystine urolithiasis. Zoo Biology, 25, 87-100.

Please cite as:

Jonas, C.S., Timbrell, L.L., Young, F., Petrovan, S.O., Bowkett, A.E. & Smith, R.K. (2020) Management of Captive Animals. Pages 527-553 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Management of Captive Animals

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Carnivores: Feed commercially prepared diets Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	5	Synopsis Link
Carnivores: Feed whole carcasses (with or without organs/gastrointestinal tract) Action Link	Trade-off between benefit and harms	6	Synopsis Link
Carnivores: Feed a plant-derived protein diet Action Link	Unknown effectiveness (limited evidence)	2	Synopsis Link