The tongue and the back of the dog’s throat are equipped with taste buds. These taste buds are little protrusions on the tongue that house taste receptors. Approximately only around one-fifth of the number of taste buds found in humans are in dogs—roughly 1,700. This could be why dogs, unlike people, are not picky eaters.
Locations of taste buds
- The taste buds that taste sweetness are found towards the tip of the tongue.
- Compared to human taste buds, those on the tongue’s front surface are less sensitive to salt.
- The taste buds for bitter and sour foods are situated on the posterior portion of the tongue.
- The canid ancestors’ diet was primarily composed of meat, which is where these taste buds are believed to have originated.
- Water—Unlike humans, dogs can actually enjoy the flavor of water. When a dog is hungry or thirsty, the taste buds at the very tip of its tongue become more sensitive.
Because of their association with potentially harmful items in the wild, including rotten food, dogs generally shun foods that are sour or spicy. Few dogs enjoy spicy food since many spices are known to irritate the gastrointestinal tract, starting in the mouth and spreading to other parts of the body. When giving your dog condiments, exercise caution.
Dogs also rely on their sense of smell when making food choices, which is the most acute of their five senses. You can try using moist food instead of dry kibble or slightly reheating the food to make it smell better if your dog isn’t hungry.
