Cats are indifferent to sweets because it can not distinguish between sweet taste

Whether and more recently genetic mutations affect the fact that different carnivorous animals do not feel the taste of sweet foods.

Probably due to the fact that these animals are fed exclusively on meat that has no sweet taste even before the first time any mutations over time, they have simply lost the ability to sense sweet taste. That is why all the animals of these species are completely indifferent to sweets and fruits.

Omnivores who chew food, on the other hand, the need for carbohydrates, which are for them an important component of the diet. Their receptors are configured to recognize the sweet taste, remained unchanged.

For decades, scientists have known that cats are not particularly fond of sweets. In 2005, researchers from the Monell Center sensations in Philadelphia, scientific publications, which have shown that domestic cats have a mutation that affected their taste buds, leaving them unable to respond to the sugar molecule. The same applies to their next of kin in the wild including lions, tigers and jaguars.

Many people, the owners of domestic cats can not believe it's true. "When we published our findings, dedicated to cats, we have received a lot of feedback, owners of animals declared:" My cat loves sweet, you are wrong! "- Says the biologist Gary Beauchamp, director of the Center. - Everyone knows that cats are not averse to eat ice cream or cake, but not because of the sweet taste. Simply, these foods contain fats and other components they need ».

via factroom.ru