Cats are super sensitive to flavor and texture. In fact, they have taste buds that are different from those of humans. This is because they need a very sharp sense of smell in order to hunt prey successfully.
Taste preferences can be learned over time, so it’s important not to influence your cat’s eating habits too much by feeding it food flavored or seasoned with spicy ingredients like peppers. While some cats will enjoy the extra kick, others may dislike the taste and refuse their food as a result.
According to one study at Oregon State University, cats don’t even really need water since they get most of their hydration requirements through their food intake (cats fed “wet” foods still benefit from drinking water). That means adding spices or extra flavoring to your cat’s food may not be needed.
The bottom line is that cats are animals of habit, so the best bet is to keep their diet as consistent as possible. That means no added flavors or spices – unless, of course, you know for sure that your cat will enjoy it!
Peppers are quite popular in seasonings and spices and can either help or hinder a cat depending on how they take to spicy foods. If a cat doesn’t do well with spicy foods then it has sensitive taste buds and should avoid them at all costs. There have been documented cases where cats were fed spicy foods and began displaying symptoms such as coughing, runny nose, sneezing even wheezing which can lead to respiratory difficulties.
It is also believed by many experts that peppers are not good for cats simply because they cannot digest them properly and end up with stomach problems like diarrhea or vomiting. For that reason, it’s recommended that you avoid feeding your cat spicy foods of any kind, including pepper.
There are some cases where cats will eat a pepper with no adverse side effects but this can depend on the individual cat’s taste sensitivity and tolerance to spices in general. Some may not like the taste at all while others feel like eating everything spicy! If you think about it, adding spices or pepper powder to food seems unnatural since cats usually get their nutrients from meat alone – making them carnivores rather than omnivores. However, there’s always an exception to every rule so watch your cat carefully when adding any spices or seasonings to its food. If you see any signs of adverse reaction or discomfort then remove the spicy food right away.
Peppers are believed to be safe for cats in small amounts if they truly enjoy it but larger amounts can lead to stomach problems and gastritis which is inflammation of the stomach lining. Since there’s no real benefit added regardless of whether it likes the taste, it’s best to keep pepper (and other spices) out of reach from feline friends altogether.