5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Dog’s Sense Of Taste

5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Dog’s Sense Of Taste

It’s not surprising that animals see and smell the world differently than humans however research done on this subject states how even human foods taste different across different animal palates. Dogs are inclusive of this new finding just as much as other animals.

Your Pet Dog Is an Incredibly Food-Oriented Animal

There is a reason why your dog always seems to be hungry. Either Fido is not being fed properly, i.e. in the right amount of nutrient density or he is being a picky eater. Dogs think with their stomachs which is why they prefer being fed certain foods more than others! This does provide justification that dogs possess very acute taste buds (even more than humans) and their sense of taste is very much pronounced.

In Reality Fido Isn’t Particularly Sensitive To Different Tastes!

Strange, isn’t it? Additionally, your dog can’t determine nuances of different flavors the same way as humans can. This doesn’t mean their taste buds are completely useless because dogs can taste and even prefer certain foods more than others, it’s just compared to us dogs have drawn the short straw. Following are some interesting facts that you don’t know about your dog’s sense of taste.

Dogs Have Less Taste Buds than Human

Yes, that is true. Humans win this round with a whopping 9000 taste buds compared to 1700 that your dog has. This means your pooch’s palate is six times more inferior to ours! Lesser number of taste buds doesn’t mean they can’t taste at all – in fact your pooch can taste bitter, sweet, sour and salty flavors just like us. Their sense of taste isn’t as developed though.

Sense of Taste in Young Puppies Isn’t Fully Developed

Puppies aren’t naturally born will fully-functioning and mature taste buds. Although all senses, i.e. touch, taste and smell are there, your puppy will not develop his sense of taste fully until after a few weeks of life. What is the best type of dog food for puppies? Expert dog trainers and vets recommend dry chews or kibble as they comprise of less salt and only 9 till 11 percent water.

Dogs Don’t Crave Salt Like We Do

Wild dogs primarily eat meat and since meat products already have a high sodium content, your dog’s ancestors never felt the need to develop highly tuned salt receptors (like humans). Their diet was already high enough with salt!
This is also one reason why expert dog trainers tell owners to avoid commercial dog food brands that have high sodium count, which almost all have.

Dogs Have Meat Taste Receptors

Did you know your pooch is an omnivore, just like you and the grizzly bear? However unlike humans, a wild dog’s diet mainly consists of meat (more than 80%) as mentioned above. This gave all dogs the ability to actually taste fats and meat related chemicals and prefer meats!

Dogs Can Taste Water, Humans Can’t

In addition to taste receptors that are finely tuned to meat and meat related products; your pooch can also taste water! This ability is also shared by our feline companions, the cat and other carnivores. Sadly though, humans don’t have this awesome ability but we manage.
How many of these cool facts did you know about? Do you also know how organic and dental dog chews help your pooch?
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