Also called · 고양이 단맛 · 설탕 · 미각 · 쓴맛
What it looks like
- No interest in sweet treats
- No reaction to fruit
- Refuses bitter medicine absolutely
Why it happens
Dogs do taste sweetness
A dog’s T1R2 is intact, so sweetness registers. That is why they respond to fruit and sweet treats. Tasting it and digesting it are separate questions, though.
Chewing does not bring sweetness out
Chew rice for long enough and it turns sweet, because amylase in human saliva breaks starch into sugar. A dog’s saliva has no such enzyme, so starch is not broken down in the mouth. Starch digestion is handled in the small intestine by enzymes from the pancreas.
What to do
There is no reason to give sweets at all
Neither dogs nor cats require sugar. Treats judged by human standards add calories and nothing else.
See a vet if
Suddenly stops eating and drools
Approaches food then flinches back — possible oral pain
Common questions
The cat is responding to the smell of fat and dairy, not to sweetness. Many cats cannot break down lactose, so it can lead to diarrhoea.
Grapes and raisins are off-limits. Otherwise a small amount is usually fine, though it is not a nutritional requirement and only adds calories.
Related behaviors
Was this useful?
General behaviour and nutrition information. It does not replace diagnosis or prescription. Similar behaviour does not always have the same cause, and the cause is not necessarily diet or environment — have a vet rule out illness first, and consult a behaviour specialist where needed.