Furry Fun Fact: Do cats taste sweetness?
Welcome, fellow pet enthusiasts, to the Furry Fun Fact of the Day!
Pets can do all sorts of crazy – and wonderful – things, can't they? We bet you discover new things about them daily.
Have you ever heard of a singing dog for example?
Join The South African website as we set out to learn fascinating – and often humourous – fun facts that set our pets apart from the rest of the animal kingdom.
Discover things about these bundles of joy that will leave you chuckling and wondering if they're not little humans in disguise!
Unlike dogs, most cats don't taste sweetness because they lack the functional taste receptors for sweet flavors. Specifically, domestic cats—and most members of the feline family—have a genetic mutation in the gene (Tas1r2) that codes for part of the sweet taste receptor, rendering it inactive. As a result, sugary foods hold no appeal to them, which explains why cats rarely show interest in desserts or fruits.
This trait likely evolved because cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their natural diet consists almost entirely of meat, which doesn't require the ability to detect sugars. In contrast, dogs are omnivores and have retained their sweet tooth, often enjoying fruits and sweet treats. This difference in taste perception reflects the unique dietary evolution and nutritional needs of each species.
Stay healthy and keep those furry friends happy!
Do you know any furry fun facts you'd like to share?
If so, email info@thesouthafrican.com or a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 and we'll publish the ones that fascinate us!
You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest facts.
While you're here, enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos, and lots more on The South African YouTube page.
Enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos – and lots more!
For more stories like this, view our pets category.
Your pet surely deserves a new toy🙂
Now that you've enjoyed the furry fun facts, tackle a variety of quizzes and competitions on The South African website.
There's a quiz with a cash prize that has your pet's name on it.
Good luck!
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