The contrast between dogs and cats in terms of eating habits is striking. Dogs tend to consume their food quickly, often without much thought, while cats exhibit a more measured approach, taking their time to assess their meal before fully committing to it.

Mary Roach, in her book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal," highlights this difference by observing how cats will take a kibble in their mouth, sense it, and sometimes drop it before deciding whether to eat it. This behavior illustrates a cat's cautious nature and highlights its tendency to taste and evaluate food more carefully compared to dogs.