Threonine is critical for your cat's wellbeing

Threonine is an essential amino acid, meaning your cat cannot produce it independently . Therefore, it must be obtained through their diet. As a fundamental building block of protein, threonine is crucial for several key processes in your cat's body.

• Protein Synthesis: threonine is vital for synthesizing proteins, which function as the workhorses of the body, participating in virtually all biological processes.

• Muscle Developmen t: adequate threonine is necessary for maintaining and developing muscle mass, which is essential for your cat's strength and mobility.

• Immune Function: this amino acid contributes to the production of antibodies and other immune components, helping to keep your cat healthy and protected from infections.

• Gastrointestinal Health: threonine supports a healthy gut by serving as an energy source for gut microbes and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal lining.

Because your cat cannot produce threonine internally, it's critical to ensure they receive sufficient amounts through their diet to support these vital functions.

Threonine offers numerous health benefits for cats, supported by scientific research. Here are some key advantages of ensuring your cat receives enough of this essential amino acid.

Threonine is linked to lean body mass, making it essential for maintaining muscle strength and preventing muscle loss, especially in older cats or those with chronic diseases. A study involving cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) noted significant decreases in muscle condition score (MCS) when comparing healthy cats to those with early and late-stage CKD, highlighting the importance of nutritional support for muscle mass.

Threonine contributes to proteins critical for immune function, helping your cat fight off infections and maintain overall health. A strong immune system is particularly vital for cats in shelters or multi-cat households where exposure to pathogens may be higher.

Threonine serves as an energy source for gut microbes, promoting a balanced gut microbiome . A healthy gut is crucial for nutrient absorption, immune regulation, and your cat's overall well-being.

By supporting protein synthesis and various metabolic processes, adequate threonine intake contributes to your cat's overall health and vitality.

Ensuring your cat receives enough threonine involves careful attention to their diet. Here are some key considerations:

Emphasize the importance of a complete and balanced commercial diet .

When choosing commercial cat food, look for products that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or Fédération Européenne de l'Industrie des Aliments Pour Animaux Familiers (FEDIAF) recommendations. These standards ensure that the food provides all the essential nutrients, including threonine, in appropriate amounts.

Identify food ingredients rich in threonine.

Animal-based proteins such as chicken, fish, and beef are excellent sources of threonine. Plant-based proteins can also contribute, but animal sources are generally more bioavailable and complete in their amino acid profiles.

A deficiency in threonine can lead to several health problems in your cat. Being aware of these risks can help you take proactive steps to ensure your cat's well-being:

• Muscle loss and weakness : threonine is vital for muscle maintenance, and a deficiency can result in muscle loss (sarcopenia) and general weakness. This can reduce your cat's mobility and overall quality of life.

• Compromised immunity: inadequate threonine can weaken your cat's immune system, making them more susceptible to infections and diseases.

• Poor gut health: a deficiency can disrupt the balance of gut microbes and compromise the intestinal lining, leading to digestive issues for your cat.

It's important to recognize that these issues can significantly affect your cat's overall quality of life, emphasizing the need for a balanced diet and adequate threonine intake.

Recent research provides valuable insights into the role of threonine in feline health, particularly in the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD). A serum metabolome study on client-owned cats with CKD revealed the following key findings:

• Decreased Threonine Levels in Early-Stage CKD : threonine levels are decreased in cats with early-stage CKD compared to healthy cats, indicating that metabolic disturbances occur early in the disease process.

• Further Reduction in Advanced CKD: as CKD progresses, threonine levels further decrease, highlighting the ongoing impact of the disease on amino acid metabolism.

• Negative Correlation with Muscle Condition : threonine is negatively correlated with muscle condition score in CKD cats, suggesting a link between threonine deficiency and muscle wasting (cachexia) in these patients.

This study applied untargeted metabolomics, a technique used to comprehensively analyze the small molecules (metabolites) in a biological sample, to identify biomarkers of disease. By identifying changes in threonine levels and other metabolites, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the metabolic pathways affected by CKD and potentially identify new therapeutic targets.

While a balanced diet should typically provide enough threonine, there are scenarios where supplementation might benefit your cat.

• Cats with CKD may benefit from threonine supplementation to address metabolic imbalances and muscle wasting.

• Older cats experiencing sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) might also benefit.

• Cats recovering from illness or surgery may have increased nutritional needs, including threonine.

Threonine is an essential amino acid that plays a critical role in your cat's health , supporting muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall well-being. Ensuring your cat receives a balanced diet with high-quality protein sources is key to meeting their threonine requirements. If you suspect your cat may be at risk of threonine deficiency or could benefit from supplementation, talk to your vet about whether your cat is getting enough threonine and if supplementation is needed. Proactive pet care, including a focus on essential nutrients like threonine, can help your feline friend live a healthier, happier life.