Domestic cats often refuse quality food in favor of cheap feeds, and the reason for this lies not in the benefits of the product. As zoo psychologist Svetlana Kapustina explained, flavor enhancers, which are generously used in budget food options, play a key role here.
According to the specialist, such additives make the taste of the food particularly attractive to animals and can lead to a strong addiction. As a result, a pet that has once become accustomed to the enhanced smell and taste later finds it difficult to accept more expensive foods, even if they are significantly better in composition.
The expert advises owners to carefully study the information on the packaging. Cheap foods generally contain less meat, vitamins, and minerals. The lack of nutritional components is compensated by flavoring and aromatic additives, which create an increased interest in such food among cats.
Premium foods, on the other hand, have a more balanced composition and are better absorbed by the animal's body. However, cats accustomed to artificial flavor enhancers often stop perceiving natural ingredients as attractive.
Comparing the situation to human diets, the zoo psychologist noted that it is similar to the choice between healthy food and fast food: although the benefits of healthy eating are obvious, the desire to eat something colorful and "tasty" often proves to be stronger.
