Dogs have very different taste preferences than humans. Their sense of taste is much less discriminating than ours. While humans enjoy complex flavors, dogs are attracted to strong, basic tastes and smells.
What do dogs taste?
Dogs have about 1,700 taste buds compared to a human’s 9,000. Their taste receptors are geared toward meats, fats, and sugars. Here’s a quick overview of what dogs can taste:
- Sweet – Dogs enjoy sugary flavors like honey, molasses, and corn syrup. These tastes attract them to food.
- Salty – Dogs can detect salt, although not as well as humans. They don’t need as much sodium in their diet as people.
- Sour – Dogs have some ability to taste acids and citric flavors. However, they aren’t as sensitive to sour as humans.
- Bitter – Dogs have very limited taste receptors for bitter flavors. Many toxic or rotten foods taste bitter to humans but not to canines.
- Umami/Savory – Dogs have umami receptors and enjoy meaty, savory flavors.
What smells do dogs prefer?
While a dog’s sense of taste is less discerning than a human’s, their sense of smell is far superior. Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses compared to only 6 million in people. Some key things dogs sniff out and love include:
- Meat – The smell of beef, chicken, bacon, or other meats gets a dog salivating. The scent triggers their carnivorous instincts.
- Fat/Oils – Dogs are attracted to the smell of fats and oils. Foods with even a small amount of fat have an enticing aroma.
- Cheese – The smell of dairy products like cheese, butter, and yogurt are very appetizing to canines.
- Sweet – Sugary scents from things like cookies or syrups appeal to dogs.
- Salt – The smell of salt makes dogs interested. However, they don’t need high amounts of it.
- Popcorn – The buttery, savory smell of popcorn cooking attracts dogs.
What foods do dogs like the most?
When you combine dogs’ sense of taste and smell, some clear favorite foods emerge. Here are some top foods dogs find super tasty:
| Food | Taste Qualities |
|---|---|
| Meat | Savory, fatty, appealing texture |
| Cheese | Fatty, salty, sweet notes |
| Peanut Butter | Sweet, fatty, thick texture |
| Bacon | Salty, savory, fatty, crunchy texture |
| Popcorn | Salty, savory aroma |
| Fish | Savory, fatty |
Meat
Dogs are primarily carnivores, so meat is very enticing to them. The rich, fatty smells of beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and other meats make dogs drool. They also taste savory notes that humans can’t detect. The texture of meat is ideal for a dog’s teeth. Raw meat is the ultimate delicacy.
Cheese
Cheese has an appealing triple threat of fat, salt, and a sweet edge from lactose to dogs. Hard cheeses like cheddar have a strong, enticing aroma. The creamy mouthfeel of soft cheeses is irresistible. Only give dogs low lactose varieties in moderation.
Peanut Butter
The sweet smell of peanut butter is very attractive to canines. The thick, creamy texture is also perfect for licking off a spoon or toy. Make sure to only choose all-natural peanut butter without xylitol for your pooch.
Bacon
Bacon checks all the boxes for what dogs crave – it’s packed with fat and salt, has tons of savory meaty flavor, and the crunchy texture provides stimulation. Raw, cooked, or dried bacon is dog heaven. Just don’t overdo it, as the high fat content can cause illness.
Popcorn
Popcorn has an irresistible smell to dogs as it cooks. The buttery, savory scent says “treat!” Plus, they enjoy licking up the salty flakes. Remove any unpopped kernels to prevent choking before sharing.
Fish
The briny, fishy aroma of tuna, salmon, or other fish makes dogs wild. The high fat content provides tons of flavor. Canned fish packed in oil provides additional tasty fat. Just be aware of small bones in some fish.
What human foods are dangerous for dogs?
While dogs love many flavors that seem delicious to people, some human foods can be toxic. Here are some to avoid giving dogs:
- Chocolate – Contains theobromine, toxic to dogs
- Onions/garlic – Damages red blood cells
- Xylitol – A sugar substitute that’s poisonous
- Grapes/raisins – Can cause kidney failure
- Alcohol – Can cause dangerous intoxication
- Caffeine – Stimulant dogs shouldn’t ingest
Conclusion
When it comes to taste, dogs are attracted to strong, basic flavors like meaty, salty, sweet, and fatty tastes. Smells are even more important, with savory, meaty scents topping the list of dog favorites. Foods like real meat, cheese, peanut butter, bacon, popcorn, and fish are total hits with the canine palate. While people food can be appealing to dogs, make sure not to feed toxic items like chocolate, onions, grapes, and xylitol.