Cats have 9 lives, but may be missing 1 taste

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cat25.html

SAN FRANCISCO -- Cats are notoriously finicky eaters, as millions of pet owners can attest.

Now, there's a scientific theory explaining, at least in part, why cats have such snobby eating habits: genetics.

Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia and their collaborators said Sunday they found a dysfunctional feline gene that probably prevents cats from tasting sweets, a sensation nearly every other mammal on the planet experiences to varying degrees.

I am not so sure about this theory. I once had a cat who would steal Snicker bars right out of my hands if I wasn't watching close. She went completely nuts over the things.

[LaurenG]

1. My cats both love cinnamon rolls they also eat cake icing. nt

[Serial Mom]

2. I agree with you ... my cat loves Twinkies ...

although he hasn't had them in years - he's 17 and loved them when my kids where still at home.

[Lars39]

3. My white cat likes sweets.

You have to fight her off if you pour syrup. :)

[Missy M]

4. I had a cat who loved doughnuts....

we couldn't keep her away from them.

[SnowGoose]

5. perhaps they used a "lab" breed.

Haven't read the article (sorry) but for a variety of reasons, labs almost always use inbred strains - at least in rodents. Sometimes these inbred strains have odd characteristics.

Perhaps the sweet-loving cats mentioned by people in this thread have a functional copy of the gene.

Then again, a lot of you mentioned foods (e.g. Snickers) that also have a lot of fat, which would be reasonable for a cat to want.


edited for clarity

[kedrys]

6. One of my cats loves breakfast bars

Evie will come out of a coma-like sleep to get a bite if she hears wrapper noise. I haven't been able to eat a breakfast bar without having to share for 4 years now. :) Plato, Socrates and Quark like an occasional bite of breakfast bar, but they're not nuts about it like Evie is.

Evie also likes cold cereal, the sweeter the better. She really enjoys Kashi's Strawberry Fields cereal.