I couldn't disagree more. Dogs definitely have tastebuds, can definitely taste foods, and definitely enjoy some foods more than others. Dogs can, and do, deve

I couldn't disagree more. Dogs definitely have tastebuds, can definitely taste foods, and definitely enjoy some foods more than others. Dogs can, and do, develop genuine, strong preferences for some foods over others. That's not because "their primary sensory pleasure in eating comes from the proteins themselves" -- that's because they derive pleasure from some foods. My dog loves blueberries and broccoli. These are pretty poor sources of protein, and her enjoyment comes from either the taste or the texture, or both. She also prefers chicken to other meats, and if presented with two otherwise similar bits of meat will choose the chicken first and foremost. She'll eat beef or lamb or pork, too, but will invariably choose chicken if presented with two options. "Just synthesise the required amino acids and feed them to a dog like that" will not make for a happy or healthy dog. It's basically the same rationale that led us to feeding animals dry food/kibble, and that's not good for them. On paper, though, it covers all of their essential needs.