In her book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," Mary Roach discusses how dogs and cats differ in their reliance on their senses when it comes to food choices. Dogs are noted to prioritize their sense of smell significantly more than their sense of taste. According to Pat Moeller, dogs use smell 70% of the time, whereas taste accounts for only 30% in their decision-making process regarding food.

In contrast, cats have a more balanced approach, with their reliance on smell and taste being almost equal at a 50/50 ratio. This difference highlights how each species experiences and interacts with their food, showcasing the importance of aroma in a dog's diet as opposed to the more versatile sensory reliance observed in cats.