Can Cats Taste Spicy: Do They Have Spice Receptors?
There are times when you wonder whether you can share your food with your feline friend, or whether they share the same taste buds as yours. Can cats eat broccoli? Can they eat strawberries?
Well, there are some vegetables and fruits that you can share with them, but that does not mean they benefit them in any way. Similarly, you might be wondering, can cats taste spicy? Kitties have their unique sense of taste.
You might have caught your cat having a taste of the leftover pizza, or bothering you to share your hot pot with them. Let’s find out whether you can give your cat spicy food, and whether it is good for them or not.
Can Cats Taste Spicy? Do They Have The Taste Receptors?
To learn whether can cats taste spicy, you have to know about their taste buds. Humans have 9,000 taste buds, whereas cats only have 470.
Having said this, they do not even have the taste receptors for sweetness, and the way they experience spice is also different from us humans. Spiciness is not really a taste. It is a sensation of heat and pain combined.
We humans receive spice through TRPV1 receptors, popularly known as the capsaicin receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1. This is what senses the burning sensation of capsaicin. But does cats share these same receptors as humans?
Yes, they do. They have TRPV1 receptors, meaning they can experience the heat from the spicy food. However, they have fewer taste buds and do not experience anything complex behind the spicy food.
They can taste it, but do not feel it the same way we do. The feeling they get from having spicy food is irritation, discomfort, burning, and tingling.
Are There Any Risks Of Giving Them Spicy Food?
Can cats taste spicy? Well, they can. But that does not mean you should be giving them spicy food. Spicy food often contains other ingredients than chilli or paprika, which can be toxic to them.
Onion and garlic are toxic to cats, and they should never consume them. All these ingredients can cause digestive issues, cat vomiting, and even toxic reactions. Here are some of the risks of giving them spicy food.
Digestive Issues
Capsaicin can irritate the mouth, intestine, and stomach. This can cause them abdominal discomfort, pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Irritation
Cats have a strong sense of smell. They can feel the spicy smell as a strong and pungent chemical attack. This can make them stressed, uncomfortable, and frightened. Moreover, they can even drool or sneeze.
Toxicity
There are several ingredients, like leeks, onions, and garlic, that can turn out to be extremely dangerous for cats. Even if they consume it in small amounts, it can turn into something serious.
Spices and herbs that seem harmless can turn out to be harmful, like paprika and nutmeg. If you are not sure about certain herbs, it is best to keep them out of their reach.
What To Do If They Accidentally Consume Something Spicy?
Even though prevention is better than a cure, accidents do happen. And when your cat has consumed something spicy, it is time to act fast and get them relief.
- Take the food away. Prevent them from having any more of that food.
- Get them some plain water, some milk, or yogurt in a small amount. Dairy contains casein that helps in dissolving and flushing out the capsaicin.
- You need to monitor them closely for any signs of discomfort, like diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, and pawing.
- However, if your cat has consumed a lot of spicy food and is showing signs like tremors, vomiting, and lethargy, then you need to take them to a vet immediately.
Here are some of the common spices that can cause your feline trouble:
- Black pepper: It can irritate the digestive system.
- Garlic power: This is toxic to cats. It can damage their red blood cells and cause gastrointestinal upset.
- Paprika: Even though it is not toxic, it can upset their stomach.
- Onion powder: Onion is almost as toxic as garlic, and can have similar effects as well.
Why Do Some Cats Love Spicy Food?
There might be times when your cat comes sniffing at your spicy food. However, this is not because of the heat; it is the smell that they are attracted to. Cats depend more on their sense of smell than their sense of taste.
Any kind of spicy food comes with a strong aroma. Even if the food is not good for them, it is the aroma that draws them. Moreover, they are curious creatures and love to take a bite. However, when the heat kicks in, they will start to regret it.
How will you know if they did not like the taste of it?
- Excessive grooming
- Licking their nose excessively
- Flicking their tail
- Showing signs of distress, or moving away from the food
Keep Spicy Food Out Of Their Diet
Can cats taste spicy food? Well, they can. They can identify the heat through their pain receptors. But they do not enjoy the food as humans do.
Spicy food can harm their overall health. So even if they are drawn to the smell and want a piece of your food, make sure you do not give them anything. Also, it is better to stick to their regular diet, or something their vet has approved of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cats taste spicy? Here are some of the common questions people ask while discussing this.
Serving your cat spicy food is not a good idea. It can cause them gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea and vomiting. It might get highly uncomfortable for them.
Cats do not have sweet receptors. So, there is no point serving them anything sweet.
Apart from spicy foods, there are some other foods that cats should avoid, like chocolate, garlic, raisins, onions, nutmeg, leeks, and shallots.
No, it is not poisonous to cats. But, it is advised not to serve them chilli. It can upset their stomach and cause them distress.
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