Humans enjoy a wide range of complex and robust variations of the five (maybe even six, according to recent research) basic tastes. Most of us, though, are particularly fond of foods that taste sweet, cherishing each delightful dessert as a celebratory treat or a source of comfort when we’re down.
As cat parents, we tend to assume our feline companions recognize and enjoy the same tastes we do. Some of us may even assume that our pets have a sweet tooth just like we do! Surprisingly, the contrary is true. Studies have shown that cats cannot taste sweetness as they lack the genetic receptors to do so.
Read on as we explore why cats are unable to detect sweetness and why they’re drawn to certain types of sweets nevertheless in detail. We’ll also give you a few ideas on which desserts you can give your kitty safely, so you can spoil her by sharing a few healthy treats with her!
Why Can’t Cats Taste Sweetness?
On average, humans have about 2,000 to 8,000 taste buds, giving us our ability to discern between different flavors and their varying intensities. There are several types of taste receptors found in our tongues that draw out certain taste sensations, such as sweet, savory, salty, and sour.
By contrast, cats only have around 473 taste buds, making their sense of taste weaker and less sophisticated than ours. They can perceive and experience most of the tastes we do, albeit more poorly, with the notable exception of sweetness.
In the 1970s, Dr. Gary Beauchamp, a biologist from Monell Chemical Senses Center, conducted a study in the Philadelphia Zoo to test the sweet taste receptors of house cats and big cats. The cats were given two types of water: one with sugar and one without. They showed no preference for either type of water, drinking the same amount from each bowl.
Over three decades later, Joseph Brand, a biophysicist from the same institution, sought to understand exactly why cats cannot detect sweetness. The genes responsible for tasting sweetness in animals had already been identified by then as Tas1r2 and Tas1r3. These genes form the G protein-coupled receptors that send signals to the brain when something sweet is consumed.
Dr. Brand’s team compared the sequences of these genes in humans, dogs, and rodents. They found that these animals, all of whom can detect sweetness, shared 240 base pairs of Tas1r2. Cats, on the other hand, lacked these base pairs and are unable to make the protein required for a sweet taste receptor as a result.
In an interview with NPR, Dr. Brand goes on further to assert that this defect in their Tas1r2 gene is irreversible. The deletion caused cats to become strictly carnivorous, and there’s no chance of them ever recovering their taste for sweetness.
This is not to say that cats can only taste meat and nothing else. Studies show that felines have around seven bitter taste receptors, a finding that surprised scientists. Animals have evolved to possess bitter taste receptors in order to detect poisonous plants—yet cats don’t eat plants.
Scientists say that their bitterness receptors may have evolved to protect them from certain prey with poison, such as spiders. Their taste for bitterness may also explain their pickiness when it comes to their food, as they may detect a bitter taste in certain ingredients.
If Cats Can’t Taste Sweetness, Why Does My Cat Like Sweets?
Now many cat owners are likely to contest this fact. After all, cats have been known to enjoy ice cream, marshmallows, pudding, peanut butter, and other desserts. Some felines might even prefer these sweets to meaty human foods they’re genetically programmed to want!
But it’s not the sugar in these foods that cats crave. It’s usually the fat and protein content. Cats can taste and enjoy fatty foods or protein-rich foods. They may also enjoy the soft texture of pastries or the smooth consistency of cold dairy products, similar to the way most cats prefer soft wet food over dry food.
Certain types of candy also come in mint flavors, which cats enjoy. Mint is close to catnip in taste, which may be why your kitty is so drawn to your candy canes or gum. However, these types of candy should be kept away from cats at all costs.
Perhaps the simplest explanation for why cats like sweets is their natural curiosity. Cats like to taste whatever we’re baking or eating, so your feline friend may want a bite of your cake or a taste of your ice cream.
If Cats Don’t Eat Sweets, Why Do They Get Diabetes?
A common misconception among many people is that excess sugar consumption is the primary—even the sole—culprit of diabetes.
The truth is that eating too much sugar is not the direct cause of diabetes, but it does increase your risk for developing the disease. There needs to be a genetic component in order for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to occur, and that genetic risk has to be triggered by something.
Factors like obesity or an unhealthy diet high in fat, calories, and cholesterol is often the trigger for Type 2 diabetes.
Similarly, the risk for feline diabetes is increased by obesity or an unhealthy diet. When carbohydrates make up the bulk of your cat’s food, such as when she’s fed dry food excessively or exclusively, she may be at higher risk for developing diabetes.
What Happens When A Cat Eats Sugar?
Even if they don’t have a taste for sweetness, cats are notorious for stealing food off your table or cupboard and inhaling it all in one go. Eating too much sugar can cause cats to experience symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
Eating foods high in sugar over a prolonged period of time can also result in a whole host of health issues in cats, including:
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
- Dental problems
- Kidney & liver damage
- Immune system failure
Sweets containing xylitol, a sugar substitute found in low-sugar or sugar-free foods, are highly toxic to cats. Eating anything with xylitol can cause a sudden and alarming drop in a cat’s blood sugar, a condition commonly known as hypoglycemia.
Symptoms and effects of xylitol poisoning in cats include:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Lack of coordination
- Collapse
- Liver failure
If your cat has ingested any food containing xylitol, take her to the veterinarian or call Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) right away.
Can I Still Feed My Cat Sweets?
When you’re a cat parent, you just can’t help but spoil your fur baby—after all, she deserves the world! You may want to give her the same sweets you enjoy, or even prepare a four-course meal for her with dessert.
Sweets offer very little in the way of overall benefits for cats; not only can they not taste sweetness, but sweet food is also typically high in fats, sugar, and carbohydrates, making it quite unhealthy for your kitty.
But if you really want to indulge your cat, you can give her an occasional sweet treat in moderation. It’s best to stick with fruits so you can be sure you’re not giving her anything with xylitol or added artificial sugar that can compromise her health.
Here are some of the fruits cats can safely enjoy in small quantities:
- Apples (peeled apples in particular
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Seedless watermelon
- Strawberries
If your cat seems to have a taste for ice cream, you can make her a feline-friendly version of it with any of these fruits and goat milk or pet-safe milk! All you have to do is blend a few slices of fruit with a cup of milk, and freeze the mixture before serving it to your cat cold.
Keep in mind that there are some sweets that are strictly off-limits for cats and should not be given to them under any circumstance, even in small quantities. These include:
- Chocolate
- Raisins/grapes
- Sweets with xylitol
- Sweets with caffeine
In Closing
Sadly, your sweet kitty can’t taste sweet treats—and she’s unlikely to benefit from them health-wise, too. Cats lack the genetic taste receptors to detect and enjoy sweetness, and foods high in sugar can also affect their health negatively. It’s best to stick to meaty, protein-rich treats and keep these to a minimum as well. If you want to give your kitty a dessert, make sure to feed her fruits or homemade ice cream instead!