DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I find it weird that my two dogs, “Shep” and “Bull,” can eat just about anything (I have to hide all the pet food), while my cat “Trudy” will turn up her nose at most food. And although she’s perfectly healthy, sometimes she gets sick after eating wet or fresh food. Why? — Sarah in Madison, Wisconsin
DEAR SARAH: Cats’ eating behaviors have long been a source of curiosity for both pet owners and the scientific community. Why do they turn their nose up at certain foods and chow down on others? Why do they sometimes throw up after eating? Why do they gnaw on grass when they’re meat-eaters?
The answer is: It’s complicated, and no one is entirely sure. A 2015 study, for example, found that cats have some genes that are more commonly possessed by herbivores (animals that eat only plants, like cows). These particular genes help them detect bitter flavors, alerting them to potentially poisonous plants…