Our canine companions use their sense of taste in combination with their other senses to explore the world around them. Sometimes it seems like dogs will eat anything, from garbage and fecal matter to undigestible items like toys and fabric. And other times dogs may be very picky about their food.
So how do they determine what tastes good to them? Do dogs have taste buds like we do? Why do dogs want to eat things that we would never eat?
Yes, dogs have taste buds that give them the ability to taste things. Taste buds are found on papillae—small, visible bumps on the tongue. Dogs have about 1700 taste buds, while human mouths have approximately 9000.
Puppies develop their ability to taste after a few weeks of life. This is one of the earlier senses that develops, even before hearing and vision. As dogs mature in age, their number of taste buds decreases, along with a decreased sense of smell, which may play a role in picky eating or decreased appetite.
Each taste bud has an ability to sense all tastes if the flavor is strong enough. Taste buds in different areas on the tongue are slightly more sensitive to certain flavors in comparison to others. Bitter and sour taste buds are located toward the back of the tongue. Salty and sweet taste buds are found toward the front of the tongue.
Dogs have specific taste receptors that are fine-tuned to meats, fats, and meat-related chemicals due to their ancestral diet being primarily comprised of meat. The reduced number of taste buds in dogs as compared to humans may explain their decreased ability to distinguish between subtle flavors, like the differences between types of meat (chicken, pork, or beef) or different berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries).
Dogs also have taste buds that are fine-tuned to water. This ability is also seen in cats and other carnivores, but not in humans. Special taste buds on the tip of a dog’s tongue react to water as they drink and become more sensitive when thirsty or after eating a meal, which encourages them to drink more water.
Dogs’ Taste Buds vs. Their Sense of Smell
Taste is directly linked to smell, and an item’s scent can enhance its taste. The smell of a food item plays a much larger role in how dogs experience the flavor of their food.
Dogs also have a special scent organ along their palate that helps them “taste” through smell. When a dog smells something, they capture molecules that tell them how a food will taste. Dogs can taste without smelling, but not as well as people, due to fewer taste buds. However, their sense of smell is much more defined. They intuitively know when food isn’t safe for consumption by combining their senses of smell and taste.
Can Dogs Taste Spicy, Sweet, Sour, and Salty Food?
Dogs have receptors for the same taste types as humans, including spicy, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty foods. However, dogs never developed the highly tuned salt receptors that humans have. This is a result of their heavily meat-based ancestral diet being naturally high in salt. This meant they did not need to seek additional salt sources in their diet and have less of an affinity for salty foods.
Sweet flavors are especially preferred by dogs, which likely stems from their ancestral diet including wild fruits and vegetables. However, this does not mean that they should overindulge in pet-safe fruits and veggies. Too much sugar is detrimental for dogs, so sweet produce should be offered in moderation. Dogs should not have other sugary human foods.
What Tastes Bad to Dogs?
Dogs generally avoid salty, spicy, sour, or bitter tastes. Many of these may be unsafe to eat. The presence of toxins or spoilage from bacterial contamination will cause food to taste bad to dogs.
This is why many chew-deterrent sprays for dogs include bitter ingredients. Dogs may also reject many medications due to their bitter tastes.
The burning heat from spicy foods is caused by a compound called capsaicin and can cause physical reactions in dogs despite an inability to detect much of the flavor.
Featured Image: iStock.com/ti-ja
Much like humans, dogs can taste salty, sweet, sour and bitter flavors, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), but the similarities may stop there. Dogs appear to be able to discern even a certain taste in water, perhaps explaining why they don't seem to bore of the liquid that humans sometimes describe as "flavorless."
But do dogs taste the same flavors in the same way people do? It would seem, since they're known for eating nonfood objects and sifting through rancid garbage and other unmentionables, that they may not. But this could be due to the fact that while dogs' taste buds can detect the same kinds of flavors ours do, they have significantly fewer taste buds on their tongues. As the AKC notes, humans have around 9,000 while dogs have only about 1,700.
So, curious what your dog might like best to eat, be it chicken vs. beef, warm vs. cold or wet vs. dry dog food? And how do we even know if dog food tastes good to dogs? Let's explore some of the food types and factors your dog's palate may prefer.
Factors Affecting How Your Dog's Food Tastes
- Flavors: According to a survey presented by Pet Food Industry, chicken is the most popular dog food flavor worldwide. Of course, this may not be because it is the canine preference but instead could be because chicken is inexpensive and widely available as far as protein sources for dog food go. Before purchasing a large bag of dog food, it may be wise to source samples from your veterinarian or pet food store. For canned and pouches of food, you can get a few single servings to ensure your dog enjoys that particular dog food taste before going all in.
- Texture/Formulation: When it comes to wet vs. dry food, most dogs prefer the wet stuff, though most dogs will not snub their nose at any single texture. While some dog parents report they have the snootiest of eaters, this is thought to be because the dog has subversively trained the owner to offer the tastiest — and not always the healthiest — of delicacies rather than a true food aversion. Mixing in wet with dry food is a winning combination for some picky eaters.
- Temperature: Cook's Illustrated explains that scientists have learned that human taste buds are quite temperature-sensitive and work far more efficiently when foods are consumed at warm temperatures. This explains people's general preference for heated-up foods (though cold pizza for breakfast remains an outlier). While this study focuses on humans, the logic should hold up for our canine family members, who also often prefer their food slightly warmed. It can't hurt that scent molecules are released from foods at higher temperatures, further increasing the appeal. And while we have far more taste buds than dogs, they have around 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses compared to our 6 million, according to The New York Times.
- Supplements and Toppers: While liquid supplements, gravies or powder toppers have their place on store shelves, vets aren't quick to endorse these products because of their sparse oversight and regulation. In some cases, such as when a dog is known to have a chronic disease, such as kidney failure, topping food with a savory gravy might be the only way to keep them eating. It's important to note that nutrient excesses can be as harmful as deficiencies, so if you sense that it's becoming essential to use additives to ensure your dog eats, it's time to get a vet's guidance to make sure there aren't other medical concerns.
Other Questions to Ask Your Vet About Your Dog's Food
There are several questions to ask your vet to help you select the healthiest and tastiest food for your dog. While most dog parents will ask these questions at a new puppy appointment, it's important to keep this conversation going over the years, through health and sickness. Here are some guideline questions:
- Does my dog like how their food tastes?
- Do you have any specific food recommendations based on my dog's lifestyle or future health risks?
- Is there any indication for a dietary change based on lab findings or a physical exam, such as being over- or underweight?
- Does my dog have any skin conditions? Dental concerns? Gastrointestinal or urinary problems?
- Does my dog have any food allergies?
So Does My Dog Really Like How Their Food Tastes?
There is no need to stress over flavors or wet vs. dry dog food. Usually, your dog will like how their food tastes. Don't forget to bring in the expert and consult your vet for guidance on selecting the best dog food since flavor isn't the only way to your dog's heart. High-quality and balanced meal options are crucial for your dog's long and healthy life, but time together and shared memories are the real keys to your pooch's happiness.
Dr. Laci Schaible
Dr. Laci Schaible is a small-animal veterinarian and entrepreneur. She has authored thousands of publications and serves as an adviser for several startup ventures in the veterinary space.