Cats and sweets: Do cats like sugar? 🐱🍰
Do cats like sweets?
If you've ever eaten cake, biscuits or ice cream while your cat watched with interest, you've probably wondered: do cats like sweet things?
The truth is that cats actually cannot taste sweetness. Even so, they sometimes show curiosity towards sweet foods, but sugar isn't the reason why.
Why can't cats taste sweetness?
Cats are one of the few mammal species that have no sweet taste receptors. They lack an active gene called Tas1r2, which is responsible for detecting sweetness. This means that for a cat, foods such as:
- cakes
- biscuits
- sweets
- ice cream
aren't sweet in the way people experience them.
So why are cats interested in sweet foods at all?
Even though they can't taste sweetness, cats can still take an interest in desserts for several reasons.
1. The smell of fat
Many desserts contain milk, butter or cream, which have a strong smell. This can catch a cat's attention.
2. Curiosity
Cats are naturally curious animals and often want to check out what their owner is eating.
3. Texture
Soft foods such as cream or ice cream can be interesting to cats because of their texture.
Are sweets dangerous for cats?
In most cases sweets aren't a suitable food for cats, and some can even be dangerous.
Foods to avoid:
- chocolate – toxic to cats
- xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
- sweets and confectionery
- sugary baked desserts
Many cats are also lactose intolerant, so ice cream and dairy desserts can cause stomach upset.
Which treats are better suited to cats
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their diet needs to be rich in protein.
Better treats include:
- small pieces of boiled chicken
- special cat treats
- dried meat treats for cats
These foods are closer to a cat's natural diet.
Conclusion
Although it sometimes looks as though cats love sweets, they actually can't taste sweetness. Their curiosity about desserts is usually down to the smell, or an interest in their owner's food.
To keep your cat healthy and happy, it's best to give them protein-based treats instead of sweet foods.
Have questions about feeding your cat? 🐾
Proper nutrition is key to every cat's health and long life. If you're unsure which foods are suitable, which treats are safe, or what diet is best for your pet, you can ask a vet.
On Happy Pet Net you can easily book an online consultation with a vet, who will help you with questions about your cat's feeding, health and care. 🐱
Sometimes a quick piece of professional advice can make a big difference to your pet's health.
