Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. Dogs whose diets are low in quality protein lack a nutrient called taurine, this substance is important for the health of a dog’s cardiovascular system. Taurine is an amino acid and is derived from protein rich foods such as meat and fish. Even though dogs are capable of synthesizing taurine from other amino acids (crystine and methionine) research has shown a dogs diet can be the cause of taurine deficiencies and can lead to DCM. Taurine’s presence in all cell membranes attests to its vital role in the cells function, such as the electrically excitable tissue in the heart and brain. Supplement regimens containing the combination of carnitine and taurine can result in significant improvement in cardiac function, and in some cases, complete reversal of this disease