Two Happy Cats with Donuts

About this drawing

Two cats eating donuts could only happen in a cartoon, and here is a funny reason why: cats cannot taste sweet things. To them, a frosted donut would not taste sugary at all. Put a pile of candy in front of a cat, and its tongue will not get the message.

It all comes down to genes. Tasting sweetness takes special sensors on the tongue, and in cats, the gene that builds one key part of them stopped working long ago. Scientists think it faded because cats did not need it. Meat was their menu, so their mouths became experts at the flavors found in protein instead.

So why might your cat sniff around a cupcake? Most likely, it smells the fat from butter or cream, or it simply wants to check out what you are eating. Even so, it is best to keep treats away from cats. Sugary snacks can upset their stomachs, and chocolate is toxic to them.

Here is another surprise. Milk is not a good treat either, despite all those stories and cartoons. Many adult cats have trouble digesting it. The best diet is good cat food and plenty of fresh water. If you want to spoil your pet, try a treat made just for cats. As for the donuts, those can stay right here on the page.

• cats
• donuts
• sweets
• pet food