Flavor preferences in cats (Felis catus and Panthera sp.).

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the 1st experiment domestic cats exhibited no preference, both in 24-h and 1-h 2-choice preference tests, for any of a variety of carbohydrate or artificial sweeteners regardless of whether a water or saline diluent was employed. A preference for sucrose or lactose dissolved in dilute milk compared with dilute milk alone was observed. This preference may be based on textural rather than flavor characteristics of the milk-sugar solution. In the 2nd experiment a similar lack of preference for carbohydrate sweeteners was found when using 5-min 2-choice preference tests with wild cats (Panthera). The 3rd and 4th experiments examined responses to solutions of hydrolyzed protein and individual amino acids and to emulsified fat mixtures. Solutions of hydrolyzed soy, lactalbumin, casein, L-alanine, L-proline and butterfat mixtures were all preferred to the diluent. A pattern of responses characterized by an avidity for protein and fat products was indicated, and no avidity for carbohydrate sweeteners may be typical of strict carnivores like cats.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: