Scottish folded-ear cats, like humans, have a sweet candy-like personality and are often picky eaters. Humans are picky eaters for different reasons than cats. If cats are not picky eaters because of illness, then we need to find out why. Let's learn about the taste function of Scottish folded-ear cats first!
First, the taste function of Scottish folded-ear cat
1. Taste buds are the key.
People can taste the taste of many foods, because there is a smell center on the tongue. These links are attached to the concave and convex surface of the tongue, which is called tongue nipple.
Warm explanation: The five smells, sour, sweet, bitter, salty and fresh, are all chemicals after food is dissolved by saliva, which stimulates the taste buds on the tongue and makes you feel different tastes.
2. Scottish folding cats have tongue nipples
Pets also have taste buds on their tongues, but the number of taste buds on their tongues is only about 1000, while about 5,000 to 6,000 taste buds on human tongues can feel the aroma of more food.
Warm explanation: it means that pets can only feel about 20% of human smells, and cats can't feel many smells as accurately and finely as people.
Second, the taste nervous system of Scottish folded ear cat
1. Different characteristics of cats
Because cats lack an important protein substance in their own genetic factors, they can't eat sweetness, even all cats such as lions and tigers.
2. Functional degradation results
Cats used to be carnivores. They often catch mice or birds to eat and hardly eat sweets. When their functions no longer evolve, they will gradually disappear.
3. Natural habits of animals
According to the habits of primitive animals, as long as wild animals catch their prey by themselves, if they don't eat it quickly, they may be taken away by other animals, so there is no such thing as slowly tasting food, and of course they can't develop a sense of taste.
4. Being able to eat is more important.
For Scottish folded-eared cats, it is far more important to distinguish whether food can be eaten than to know whether food is delicious or not. For example, most rotten items have sour taste and bitter taste, so most cats can't pick up the acid component.
Scottish Folding Ear Cat (details)
Second, the reasons why Scottish folded-eared cats are picky eaters
1. If the bowl of food is too small or too light, it may make it difficult for the cat to eat. Because if you often shake the bowl when eating, the cat will feel that it is not worth the effort to eat the food in the bowl. Some cats don't like where their bowls are, so you should try to put them in another place.
2. If you have other cats or other pets, your cat may be scared by these animals. Cats may find it difficult to eat in kennels, noisy equipment or busy places at home. Some cats even wait until no one or other animals are walking around the room before they start eating. And some dogs have the nature to eat cat food. When the cat food is poured into the bowl, the dog may eat it.
3. In addition, consider how long the cat food in the bowl has been placed-overnight or food placed in a hot environment is difficult to arouse the cat's appetite. Even cats that move indoors eat less in warm weather.
Some cats don't like their food being changed. If you decide to change a brand of cat food, it will take you a few days to gradually change: mix a small amount of new cat food into the old cat food, and increase the amount of new cat food every day until your cat fully adapts to the new taste.
Some cats usually eat dry cat food, which is chewy. Cat food will soften and deteriorate when exposed to air for a long time, and cats will refuse to eat because they are not suitable.
6. If your cat is old and has teeth problems, it will naturally be picky about food. At this time, parents must choose food suitable for elderly cats.