Facial expressions and other behavioral responses to pleasant and unpleasant tastes in cats (Felis silvestris catus)

Abstract

Sammanfattning/Abstract:The behavior and facial expressions performed by cats have been reported to be visibly affected by the perceived taste quality of a food item. The goal of the present study was to assess how cats react to pleasant and unpleasant tastes. The facial and behavioral reactions of 13 cats to different concentrations of L-Proline and quinine monohydrochloride as well as mixtures with different concentrations of the two substances were assessed using a two-bottle preference test. The cats were videotaped during the tests and the frequency and duration of 50 different behaviors was analyzed in Noldus the Observer XT. The cats responded to tastes regarded as pleasant by having their eyes less than 50 % open for significantly longer periods of time compared to a water control. Tongue protrusions were also observed significantly more frequently when the cats sampled from a solution with a preferred taste compared to a water control. When encountering solutions of quinine monohydrochloride or mixtures containing quinine monohydrochloride the cats were observed to perform tongue protrusion gapes much more frequently compared to a water or L-Proline control. Even though the cats did not significantly differ in the number of times they licked at spouts containing the 50 mM L-Proline and 500 mM quinine monohydrochloride mixture compared to a 50 mM L-Proline, no masking effect could be confirmed as there was no increase in the acceptance of the mixture was observed. The present study suggests that the knowledge about behavioral responses to pleasant or unpleasant taste can be utilized in future studies on how cats perceive different tastes.

Vegan versus meat-based pet foods: Owner-reported palatability behaviours and implications for canine and feline welfare

“…Previously, bowl and lip licking were both observed to indicate good palatability by Van den Bos and colleagues [ 44 ], and lip licking was also concluded by Savolainen and colleagues [ 45 ] to be a positive sign. Nose licking was assessed as a positive indicator by Hanson and colleagues [ 47 ], but as a negative indicator by Van den Bos and colleagues [ 44 ], and Savolainen and colleagues [ 45 ].…”

“…The five discrete behavioural patterns identified were conservatively assessed as positive or negative palatability indicators, in this sample of 1,135 cats, based on knowledge of feline behaviour, and on previous studies of feline palatability indicators [44][45][46][47] (Table 4).…”

“…Savolainen and colleagues [ 45 ] also identified as signs of lower food preference, backward ear flicking, nose licking, tail flicking and body grooming. Hanson and colleagues [ 47 ] found that good palatability was indicated by nose licking, tongue protrusion, lip-smacking and increased duration of ‘half closed eyes’.…”

Taste preferences and diet palatability in cats

“…Therefore, playing with food or prey can be given as an example for behavioural responses related to satiety in cats (Levine et al 2016;Leyhausen 1979). Hanson et al (2016) reported an increase in the duration of 'half-closed eyes' when they consume a food they prefer. The same authors also noted that when cats eat something they like, they tend to do the behavioural responses such as nose licking, tongue protrusion, smacking lips longer compared to food they do not prefer.…”

The Neurobiology of Behavior and Its Applicability for Animal Welfare: A Review

“…For example, vocalizations emitted by species like dogs [ 167 ], cats [ 168 ], dairy cows [ 169 ], and piglets [ 170 ]. In this field, findings on facial expressions [ 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 ], and body postures are providing other important non-invasive tools that aid in evaluating animals’ emotions [ 175 ]. For instance, one study correlated the position of animals’ ears, neck, and tail in three distinct situations based on observations of differences in the position and movement of those body parts in response to different degrees of arousal and valence [ 176 ].…”