Understanding Fussy Cat Eating Habits: Tips and Solutio
Let's set aside the issue of acquired habits for a moment. It's quite normal for a healthy cat to be picky about its food, and this behavior can be traced back to the cat's tongue. Some researchers believe that cats, with fewer taste buds, tend to rely more on the smell of food to determine its tastiness. However, a study published in the British Medical Journal's journal, "BMC Neuroscience," offers another explanation: cats have a very unique sensitivity to bitterness, which may be closely linked to their selective eating habits.
This sensitivity to bitterness could be a mechanism to avoid ingesting toxic substances from plants. Over millions of years of evolution, animals have developed the ability to detect bitterness. Although cats and other feline species generally do not consume many plants, their ability to avoid harmful substances through taste remains.
In an experiment, researchers analyzed two taste receptors in domestic cats, Tas2r38 and Tas2r43. They found that these receptors in cats react differently to bitter substances compared to those in humans. One receptor in cats is less sensitive to phenylthiourea and does not respond to propylthiourea, both of which are very bitter to humans. The other receptor also showed an unexpected result: it was less sensitive to the bitter compound aloe emodin. When the researchers tested the most bitter compound known, benzyl thiourea, commonly referred to as "bitter essence," they found that cats were much more sensitive to it than humans. This compound is often added as an aversion agent to substances like antifreeze and other chemicals that are not meant to be ingested. If a cat accidentally licks this substance, it would be a case of "swallowing bitterness in silence," as the taste is too overwhelming to describe.
In simpler terms, cats are generally not sensitive to common bitterness but are highly sensitive to stronger bitterness (such as aversion agents). Therefore, a cat's pickiness might not be due to a preference for food but rather because of an unpleasant smell or a dislike for dishes containing bitterness. But why would a cat that uses highquality feeding bowls still be picky? This is where acquired habits come into play.
1. The quality of the food itself: If the ingredients are of poor quality and have been exposed to the air for a long time, the food may have become stale by the time the cat eats it. Such food lacks the original taste, making it unappealing. Choosing highquality, properly stored food is essential to prevent pickiness.
2. Influence of surrounding creatures: Cats are sensitive and cautious animals, and they are naturally timid. If there are other creatures moving around while the cat is eating, it might feel uneasy or quickly eat its meal elsewhere. This can lead to poor digestion and a loss of interest in food.
Especially in households with multiple pets, if one pet does not eat its meal, another pet might finish it off. This can lead to the cat having no food to eat, and if the owner doesn't notice, the cat may eventually stop wanting to eat. It's best to separate pets during mealtime to ensure a pleasant dining experience for all.
Other factors that can affect a cat's pickiness include age, the use of attractants, and a longterm diet of human food. Some pickiness is due to longstanding bad habits, such as feeding snacks irregularly or not feeding on time. This requires patience from the owner to correct. If the cat's pickiness persists despite all efforts, it might be time to "try luck" and get another cat, as it's said that "cats near oranges eat more."
