Any pet proprietor who has ever watched their cat refuse to eat the priciest store-bought meals—whereas their canine fortunately devours rocks, footwear, soiled socks, and nuggets unearthed from the litter field—has contemplated the polar-opposite tastes of their feline and canine companions. What causes these variations in our furry mates?
Omnivores and Carnivores
From the smallest housecat to the most important tiger, all cats are obligate carnivores: they require meat for his or her survival and can’t correctly digest vegetation. Meat makes up greater than 70 % of a cat’s weight loss plan, which signifies that cats additionally belong to a small group of creatures known as hypercarnivores. (Different members of this unique group embrace owls, snakes, spiders, and most sharks.)
UK veterinary surgeon Daisy Could factors out that cats, as obligate carnivores, have very specific dietary wants. “They’re finely tuned to seek out high-protein, meat-based meals. Their fussiness often stems from this biological predisposition. A cat may turn its nose up at certain foods because it simply doesn’t meet their nutritional requirements,” she says. “So, in a way, their pickiness is a survival instinct, ensuring they get the nutrients they need to thrive.”
Home canine, against this, are omnivores. Like people, canine can stay wholesome consuming every little thing from meat and vegetation to (some) fungi and algae. “Cats evolved to be more fastidious, specialized hunters, whereas dogs evolved more as opportunistic scavengers, giving them each different survival strategies around food,” explains Emma Fulton, a veterinarian within the UK. “Dogs are less discerning and more willing to eat whatever food sources are available to them. Their survival instincts drive them to take advantage of any potential meal, even if it’s rotten or unappealing to human sensibilities.” This drive to outlive, she notes, can generally “override their good judgement and lead them to eat things that may cause gastrointestinal upset or even toxicity.”
“This all goes a long way toward explaining why an animal carcass washed up on a beach is unappetizing to a cat but may be pure ambrosia to a dog.”
For cats, freshly killed small prey similar to rodents and birds are the final word in engaging fare. “This reliance on fresh meat likely made them more wary of spoiled foods,” Fulton says. “A key difference from cats is that dogs have evolved more robust digestive systems to handle eating spoiled or rotten foods. Their stomachs are quite acidic, with a pH close to 1, which helps destroy pathogenic microbes. Their short digestive tracts also move food through more quickly. So, while eating questionable foods is still risky, dogs are better equipped to consume things that would make cats and humans ill.” This all goes a great distance towards explaining why an animal carcass washed up on a seashore is unappetizing to a cat however could also be pure ambrosia to a canine.
Illustration by Michelle Simpson
Style Sensations
Additionally taking part in key roles within the differing preferences of cats and canine are the style sensations of bitterness, sweetness, and umami. “Cats have a much stronger sense of taste than dogs thanks to having more bitter taste receptors. Foods that taste bland or even pleasant to dogs and humans can taste quite bitter and unappealing to cats,” Fulton says. A research revealed in 2015 within the journal BMC Neuroscience in contrast the bitter receptors of home cats with these of people and concluded that cats are rather more delicate to bitterness. Fulton notes that rotten or poisonous meals can appear particularly unappealing to cats, given their highly effective sense of style. Canines, although, “are drawn to strong tastes like sweetness and umami, which signal calories and protein. Even foods that taste bitter to them may still be appealing if hungry enough.”
And, says Texas veterinarian Michael Thompson, who’s an skilled on animal vitamin, “Cats are shown to lack the taste receptors for sweetness that many animals, including dogs, possess.” Scientists examined the DNA of a number of wholesome home cats, together with some tigers and cheetahs, analyzing the Tas1r2 and Tas1r3 genes that often work collectively to permit sweetness to be detected. The research’s outcomes, revealed in 2005 within the journal PLOS/Genetics, point out that the Tas1r3 gene in cats works high-quality, however the Tas1r2 gene doesn’t, inflicting cats to be unable to understand sweetness. Thompson says, “This may make cats naturally picky since their flavour palette is limited.”
Cats don’t like bitterness and may’t style sweetness, however they’ll’t get sufficient umami. Generally known as savouriness, umami is the wealthy, meaty flavour attribute of cheese, mushrooms, wine, broth, and cooked meats. Researchers studied umami style notion in home cats, and their outcomes, revealed in 2023 within the journal Chem Senses, present that umami is by far the strongest style choice for cats.
Joshua Errett, founding father of Noochies! Cultivated Pet Meals in California, acknowledges how fussy cats are, saying, “They have the reputation for being very picky animals for a reason.” He additionally is aware of firsthand how highly effective their need for umami could be. Errett was at dwelling, attempting to create a canine deal with out of a dietary yeast mix, when his cats grew to become extraordinarily within the yeast. “They kept coming into my room,” he says. “I had it in a box, and they were trying to get in the box.” After he put some yeast powder in a bowl for them, his cats eagerly licked it up.
Cats have “almost a little laboratory in their noses and mouths and tongues,” Errett says. “They can sense what benefit the food has for them.” Canines rely primarily on odor, however not cats: “It’s not all olfactory. Their tongues do a lot of the work.” They’re additionally excellent at figuring out “what has that specific amino acid profile they like.” The umami of Noochies dietary yeast is such a success with cats and canine alike that the corporate is making freeze-dried yeast treats for each.
Routines and Adventures
Cats are identified for disliking change, whereas canine are considered as extra adventurous. These tendencies can lengthen to meals preferences. Cats, says Fulton, “take great comfort in familiarity and routine. An abrupt change in their diet can lead to finicky eating or refusal to eat the new food.”
Thompson agrees, saying, “Cats are creatures of habit, meaning they may reject unexpected changes if they are used to a particular food. Dogs, however, can be conditioned to eat various types of food due to their historical roles as scavengers.” Cats depend on familiarity and consistency to really feel safe. “They develop daily habits around feeding, grooming, and playtime. Any disruption to their routine can cause stress and anxiety.”
Plus, Thompson says, “Cats have keen senses, especially their sense of smell and hearing. They can be highly sensitive to new scents, sounds, and environments. Unexpected changes may introduce unfamiliar scents or noises that can make them feel on edge.” As naturally risk-averse creatures, cats may even see adjustments as doable threats. “Their instinct is to be cautious and avoid unfamiliar situations to protect themselves.”
LightField Studios/Shutterstock
Introducing New Meals
Any pet, whether or not a cat or a canine, would possibly want some encouragement to attempt consuming one thing new. “Dogs are generally more easygoing with their meals, and we often see them happily chow down on whatever’s in their bowl,” says Mark Sapir, Chief Advertising and marketing Officer of Open Farm. The Colorado firm makes moral, sustainable meals for pets. “Cats, on the other hand, tend to be a bit more particular. They like sticking to what they know and are less adventurous. When it comes to wet food, they have specific texture and animal protein preferences, making it a bit challenging to introduce new foods. Once you find something they love, they’re usually hooked.”
Sapir shares some recommendation to comply with when introducing new meals. “For dogs, it’s all about making the meal special. If your pup isn’t enthusiastic about their regular food, try topping it with something extra, like freeze-dried treats, wet food, or a savory broth. These additions can pique their interest and get those tails wagging,” he says. “Cats are a little trickier. Patience is key here. Take it slow and introduce new foods gradually. Discover the texture and protein they adore and stick with it.” He lists the corporate’s hottest flavours: hen and beef for canine, poultry and fish for cats. “That said, dogs are generally more open to variety and can enjoy rotating flavours.”
Daisy Could, the UK veterinary surgeon, factors out that some cats are literally fairly adventurous eaters, whereas some canine could be extra hesitant. “We all know cats go crazy for meat, but some are totally down to try other foods too, especially if they’ve been exposed to a variety from a young age. And get this—cats can pick up habits from each other! If they see another feline or even a human family member munching on something, their curiosity might just get the best of them,” she says. “With dogs, a bad experience with a certain food can be a turn-off if it led to an upset stomach. Some pups are naturally more cautious and need time to warm up to new treats and textures.”
As at all times, the important thing to understanding any particular canine or cat is remembering that every one is a person. Could says, “The main thing is that each animal has their own unique personality and history that shapes their preferences.”
This text initially appeared within the award-winning Trendy Cat journal. Subscribe immediately!
