Physiology of taste in cats
When a cat receives a piece of chocolate or caramel or ice cream from the owner’s hands, it, at first glance, eats the sweets with pleasure. In fact, she is attracted to the fats and dairy products found in treats. But the taste itself remains uncertain for the pet; it does not feel it and does not receive the pleasure characteristic of a person.
The reason for this phenomenon is explained by the absence of the Tas 1r2 gene in cats. It is its content in the blood of mammals that is responsible for the craving for sweets.
For cats, animal proteins, found in large quantities in meat, are a treat, and sugar and all its derivatives are just a by-product found in ice cream and chocolate.
A cat can recognize any protein with amazing ease. It is noteworthy that wild feline predators are able to determine by smell whether the prey they hunt is alive, injured, or already dead.
And since cats are not able to recognize sugar, they do not feel and do not control the amount of its consumption. Therefore, they can easily exceed the safe dose, which is actually very low. There is only one way out - do not give sweets to cats at all.
If in tiny quantities sweets are simply useless for cats, then at the slightest excess of the norm it becomes very dangerous.
Reasons why cats desire chocolate
Can dogs have sweets, candy and sugar
? It is very unusual to see a situation where a cat eats sweets. If this happens, it may be due to several reasons:
- nutritional deficiency of substances;
- health problems;
- genetic predisposition;
- environmental factors;
- compulsive disorder.
Some cats prefer sweets because of the smell.
Healthy vitamins in chocolate
There are no beneficial vitamins for pets in chocolate. The only need may arise when the animal is experiencing a calorie deficit. This is where chocolate comes to the rescue. Instinctively, the pet feels that it needs additional calories (for example, when it is active), and eats sweets.
Before giving chocolate to your cat, you should consider certain rules:
- calculate the safe amount of chocolate;
- a dangerous dose is considered to be 20 mg of theobromine per 0.5 kg of weight;
- Give chocolate rarely;
- At the same time, you should drink water.
Important! If your pet loves chocolate, you should give him white as it is the safest option for his health.
Nice smell
Cats love delicious smells. Everyone has their own preferences in smell. Some of them love the smell of chocolate, which can make them want to eat it.
If your cat starts asking for sweets, such as ice cream, then most likely she is attracted to the smell of milk proteins or certain synthetic additives.
The pleasant smell of sweetness attracts the animal
Bad Education
If a cat has been accustomed to eating sweets since childhood, then he will continue to do this into adulthood, which is extremely harmful to health.
In such a situation, you should consult a veterinarian to help solve the problem of your pet’s excessive needs.
Possible explanations for the desire to eat sweets:
- the animal is attracted not by taste, but by smell;
- the cat likes the consistency of the product;
- the pet loves to eat from the owner’s hands;
- the presence of vitamin deficiency (lack of certain substances);
- unbalanced diet, irregular eating schedule.
What is the harm of sweets for a cat?
The most dangerous sweet for cats is chocolate. The content of the alkaloid theobromine in cocoa beans is very high. When it enters the cat's body in small doses, a jump in blood pressure occurs, the animal develops tachycardia, and abnormal agitation appears.
If a cat consumes chocolate excessively, poisoning quickly occurs, which most often ends in death. Since the animal’s kidneys and liver accumulate this alkaloid, but are not capable of decomposing it and removing it from the body. But any product containing sugar is no less harmful to the cat. The carbohydrate content in it is very high; the cat has no need for such concentrations in the blood.
The carbohydrate that an animal receives from dry food or natural healthy food is quite sufficient for the normal functioning of the body. And the excess is deposited in the form of fat reserves - subcutaneous and, what is much worse, on the walls of internal organs, which leads to obesity of the liver, kidneys, and other body systems.
It is especially dangerous to give sweets to young animals, elderly pets, pregnant and lactating females, and animals with chronic diseases.
In old animals, sweets will sharply increase the fragility of blood vessels. And eating chocolate by pregnant cats can lead to miscarriages, the development of fetal pathologies and the birth of stillborn kittens.
Chocolate and its effect on the cat's body
Some cats are true gourmets and show a special love for chocolate, but you shouldn’t be touched by it. Chocolate is extremely dangerous for the health of cats, not only because of the sugar. As you know, cocoa contains theobromine alkaloid, which is pure poison for cats. After eating a small amount of chocolate, the animal’s blood pressure will certainly increase, it will be active and overexcited, and arrhythmia may develop.
If you continue to periodically treat your pet to cocoa-containing products, he will develop heart and nervous system diseases, and a serious allergy is possible.
Large doses will definitely lead to coma and death. Kittens and cats with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.
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Sweets and cat diseases
The first thing that can happen to a pet when eating sweets is a decrease in immunity and the development of many serious diseases.
Immune defense disorders
Even a small piece of chocolate can cause severe poisoning in a cat. And if everything seems to have gone well, the consequences may be distant.
The immune system was damaged in any case. And against the background of this disorder, allergic reactions may occur, diseases of the oral cavity may appear, numerous redness, ulcers and sores form on the gums, itching of the skin, hair loss begins and the development of alopenia.
Chocolate, sweets, and cakes can also cause a deterioration in a cat’s vision, including blindness, as well as cause diarrhea and vomiting, and increased salivation.
Decreased immunity undermines the cat's body's defenses. The animal becomes susceptible to colds and viral diseases, otitis media and conjunctivitis, fungal infections of any organs.
The digestive system also suffers, the animal develops a false feeling of fullness, and the digestibility of animal protein deteriorates. Oxygen saturation of tissues decreases, and the aging process of the entire organism as a whole accelerates.
Urolithiasis disease
Cats' kidneys are the first to suffer when they eat sweets. Due to intensive work (after all, this is a purification system that unsuccessfully tries to remove harmful products from the body), they significantly increase in size.
The animal's organs are subject to wear and tear, and the acid-base balance is disturbed. And sweets can lead to this just as much as salty foods.
Depending on the type of sweets, either excessive oxidation or alkalization of the body occurs, which in any case leads to the development of kidney failure. Urolithiasis, when eating sweets in large quantities, occurs even in cats that do not have a predisposition to it.
Diabetes
A cat's body is not designed to process large amounts of glucose. Insulin begins to be produced in concentrations that greatly exceed the permissible norm in the blood.
The cat quickly loses sensitivity to this substance, the level of glucose in both the blood and the animal’s urine always remains at high levels, diabetes mellitus quickly develops and the pet becomes a hostage to the “sugar” diet.
Excess carbohydrates
A person often eats a piece of chocolate when he needs to quickly increase energy levels, relieve fatigue, improve the ability to think and make decisions instantly, during heavy mental or physical work. And after even a small dose of chocolate, you feel a surge of strength and acceleration of thought.
By offering the same piece of treat to a pet, the owner causes him great harm. Especially for a cat in a small apartment, where she does not have the opportunity to move enough. All excess carbohydrates, even if they do not lead to serious illnesses, will certainly be stored in the form of excess fat.
Nature provides for the consumption of large quantities of proteins by predators, which is the key to their health and longevity. Carbohydrates are needed in minimal quantities; exceeding the required level means dooming your pet to illness and early death.
Why not"
There are several reasons why your pet should be protected from sweets from the home table. The first is dental. The enamel of a cat's teeth is approximately 10 times thinner than that of a human. And therefore, oral bacteria, which actively grow precisely when exposed to sugars, are capable of causing really serious damage to tooth enamel, including the development of caries, periodontitis, and so on.
The second is dietary. All sweets, by definition, are very high in calories, and an animal that receives it on a regular basis, as a rule, goes beyond its normal weight. Simply put, the pet gets fat, which is fraught with corresponding health complications.
The third is gastroenterological. It is known that excess sugars in a pet’s body can cause diarrhea and upset the balance of gastrointestinal microflora, causing excessive growth of bacteria in the intestines.
Finally, cats simply do not understand the pleasure that humans get from eating the same food containing sugar. The reason is simple: these animals do not have sweet taste receptors.
Although in fairness it should be noted that pets may show interest in some confectionery products - for example, ice cream or condensed milk. In such cases, cats are attracted to their high fat content rather than their sweetness.
When does a cat need sugar?
But still, in some cases, the pet needs additional sugar. They are very rare and are the consequences of serious illness or recovery in the postoperative period. And only when the level of glucose in the blood is much lower than the norm acceptable for the cat’s body.
In no case does the owner of the animal have the right to make such an appointment if he does not want to cause irreparable harm to him. Only a veterinarian, after a thorough analysis, can decide on a special “sweet” diet.
But even in this case, cats are prohibited from chocolate, cakes, pastry buns, cookies and sweet yoghurts, and especially carbonated drinks. Surprisingly, many pets are very fond of Coca-Cola and Fanta, sweet tea.
In these cases, the veterinarian prescribes a strictly dosed intake of glucose solution or sweetened water. If a sick animal refuses to drink the medicine, it is forcibly administered into the mouth using a syringe without a needle or as an intravenous drip in a hospital setting. Sometimes a specialist prescribes subcutaneous administration of drugs with a high content of monosaccharides at home.
Therapy is carried out under strict control with regular testing. As soon as the sugar level in the cat’s blood and urine returns to normal, glucose intake must be stopped.
Harmful sweets
Even if sugar itself is not toxic to a cat, other ingredients in candy and other human treats can threaten its health.
Such substances include:
Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners: Xylitol is commonly found in sugar-free gum and mints and is less commonly added to other candies and drinks. This sweetener can cause stomach upset, liver and blood sugar changes, seizures, and even death in your pet.
Chocolate and caffeine : Chocolate is harmful to animals. The darker it is, the more dangerous it is to their health. Consumption of chocolate and caffeine leads to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, promotes the development of muscle tremors, cramps and arrhythmia (heart rhythm disturbances), and in severe cases, causes death.
Raisins and grapes : fresh grapes and their dried fruits can cause kidney failure.
What sweets can a cat eat?
During the summer heat, many owners, showing false concern for their pet, give it ice cream. It seems that both the dairy product itself and cooling the body should only bring benefits. But in fact they do a lot of harm to the cat.
Ice cream for a cat, if necessary, can be easily made independently by freezing unsweetened natural yogurt, fermented baked milk or a mixture of cottage cheese and kefir. Almost all pets love these impromptu treats.
You can give cats a little corn and bell pepper, they have a sweetish taste. The sugar content in them is minimal, and there is a lot of healthy fiber. Almost all cats like these products.
It’s only better if the vegetables are boiled and the peppers are peeled. Under no circumstances should these products be consumed in canned form.
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Is it possible to give a sick kitten a sweet drink?
Cats can't have any sweets at all! if you are sick - if you need to drink a lot - then buy canned food - recovery from Royal Canin .. for which he will definitely thank you Royal Canin (Royal Canin) RECOVERY canned food - medicinal food for dogs and cats during the period after illness
Royal Canin Recovery is a canned dietary food for dogs and cats during the recovery period after illness or intensive care. INDICATIONS:
Anorexia Exhaustion Rehabilitation period Gastric tube feeding Hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) Pregnancy Feeding Growth Postoperative period
about the sweet suspension - in the suspension where do you see sugar in the composition? It's not a matter of taste, but of composition.
The so-called natural rate of insulin produced by the animal allows it to control blood sugar levels. If you exceed this limit, your cat may develop diabetes and other metabolic complications. The body will literally begin to get tired faster, and soon you will notice this in your pet’s mood, its weight and the quality of its fur. Which, by the way, will fade and begin to fall out.
Do you even think about what you are writing? :)
No you can not. To strengthen the immune system, you can add a couple of drops of Immunal to the drinking bowl, but this will not solve the whole problem.
Try giving him baby food without additives, it’s nutritious
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Favorite but harmful treats
Some of the sweet preferences of cats include chocolate, ice cream and sucking candies (on a stick, caramels). Most owners admit that they can sometimes give their cats sweets, but very little, as a treat. The difficulty is that sweets do not cause immediate harm, that is, the cat does not feel ill immediately after eating a piece of ice cream. The period of time and gradual development of most pathologies leads to the fact that the owner does not connect the pet’s illness and the fact of eating sweets.
Any experienced owner and veterinarian will tell you that giving them chocolate is a big mistake. Real chocolate is poison for cats and dogs
.
For poisoning, which leads to liver failure, a large dog needs to eat a chocolate bar (100 grams), while a cat needs 30–40 grams. Naturally, we are not talking about a surrogate treat, but about real chocolate, which contains cocoa and caffeine. Natural chocolate contains methylxanthine
(an alkaloid), which (in sufficient quantities) literally stops the liver. However, you shouldn’t expect any benefits for your pet’s health from fake chocolate.
Warnings about the dangers of chocolate are based not only on experience, but also on research. Veterinarians monitored the dynamics of poisoning and the rate of its progression. Anamnesis collection and autopsy testimony allowed us to draw clear conclusions - the animals died from chocolate poisoning. By the way, the mechanism of poisoning and the dose of the deadly delicacy could not be clarified. Veterinarians have accepted it as fact that chocolate is toxic to small pets.
When eating real chocolate, a cat may develop tachycardia, convulsions, intoxication and neurological disorders.
Even special chocolate treats sold in pet stores are not as harmless as they say on the packaging. As mentioned above, there is no point in such treats, because cats cannot like sweets due to the fact that they do not feel this taste.
The favorite treat of adults, children and cats is ice cream. It would seem that a dairy product should not be harmful, but everything is not so simple. Firstly, there is sugar in ice cream, and secondly, the store-bought product hardly contains milk. Even if we take as an example ice cream, which was once produced according to GOST, it contained cream and butter - extremely harmful products for a cat’s liver. A cat that has received too much sugar suffers from intoxication, in other words, from poisoning.
Another favorite treat is condensed milk. The logic of the owners is similar, although the milk may be sweet, it means it cannot be harmful. The warnings are the same: condensed milk contains a lot of sugar, and the store-bought product includes preservatives, flavors, unnatural sweeteners and exclusively powdered milk. The cat does not feel the sweet taste, powdered milk is not beneficial, so is there any point in treating it with such a treat?
Important! Immediately after eating condensed milk, a cat may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and general malaise; these are the consequences of intoxication.
What could be healthier than fermented milk products for cats who love milk? Every guide to feeding four-legged animals recommends diluting the cat’s diet with yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk, etc. However, not every guide specifies that the products must be natural and not store-bought. Only in this case can we talk about real benefits. Any fermented milk products with sweeteners are harmful
This means that store-bought yogurt should be excluded from your pet’s diet. Moreover, the cat may not benefit from natural fermented milk products, since some adult animals do not digest milk sugar.
When consuming store-bought dairy products with sweeteners, a cat may suffer from chronic conjunctivitis, and this is not a coincidence. Many owners didn't know how to eliminate bad odor from their cat's ears, and it can also be caused by eating sugar.
Note! Cats really benefit from curdled milk made from natural milk. Even if the animal is lactose intolerant, the product is well absorbed.
The owners of sweet dogs can only wish patience in re-educating their charges. Try to balance the diet, take a vitamin course and gradually wean your cat off sugar. If your nervous system cannot withstand the onslaught of pleading eyes, offer your cat a piece of dried apricots (no raisins) or peanuts. These products are not healthy for the cat and contain a lot of carbohydrates, but are safer than sugar.
Another safe alternative is special treats (sweet) for animals, which are sold at the pet store. However, be careful, many owners have weaned cats from eating sugar in favor of treats, but they cannot exclude them from the diet. It is important that any additives to the main diet are strictly rationed.
Airy cakes, cream cakes, shortbread cookies and the most delicate chocolate - it is impossible to refuse sweet pleasure! And how you want to pamper your pet with at least a small piece... But can cats have sweets? Do such delights harm the health of mustachioed gourmets?
Many owners say that their cat loves chocolate, candy, ice cream and other sweets. At first glance, the cat deliberately feasts on sweets, enjoying the taste of confectionery. But in reality this is not so: cats, being true predators, do not perceive sweet taste at all. When a cat eats chocolate, it tastes vegetable fats, milk, nuts, but not sugar.
This is due to the absence of the Tas1r2 gene in the cat’s DNA, which is responsible for the perception of sweet taste. This gene is present in human DNA, together with Tas1r3, allowing us to distinguish sweet taste. For omnivores and herbivores, this skill is necessary because they need carbohydrates, which are found in abundance in sweet foods. But since carnivores do not need carbohydrates, but large amounts of protein, sugar is useless for cats. Therefore, it is not necessary for a cat to taste sweets. It is much more important to recognize squirrels, and cats are unrivaled tasters for this! Amazingly, they are able to determine by smell and taste whether the prey is alive or how many hours have passed since the death of the “lunch”.
Finding out whether cats can be given sweets, zoologists, based on the above, came to a logical conclusion: since cats do not feel this taste, they cannot correctly calculate the amount of sugar consumed. While enjoying ice cream, the pet “thinks” that it is eating a dairy product and eats it in an amount that is safe for its body. And a dose of sugar, unnoticed by her, ends up in the stomach as a “hare”! This is why cats are not allowed sweets - the pet will eat a lot of candy or ice cream, without even suspecting that it is absorbing carbohydrates that are harmful to it. And such “identification error” often leads to serious poisoning.
