nim_opet t1_iycsiyu wrote
Reply to comment by vanriggs in TIL: Dogs don't have digestive enzymes in their saliva, nor can they chew side to side. Their jaws only allow for up-and-down movement because their diet doesn’t need as much chewing as ours does. by theotherbogart
Basically humans (and other omnivores like pigs, chimps etc, not to mention the herbivores) grind their food with their molars (that’s why they have wide grinding surfaces). Dogs, canines in general and cats especially have teeth specialized to hold onto meat and shred strips before swallowing since there’s no need to grind cell walls (animal cells don’t have cell walls like plant ones).
KypDurron t1_iycthkd wrote
Ok but what does "chew side to side" mean? In terms of the motion of the jaws.
nim_opet t1_iyctp4f wrote
Your jaw can move up/down and side to side; like when you chew gum; that’s how grinding works. You don’t need majorly exaggerated left-right movement; simple up-down will also move it sideways across the molar surfaces
SweetInternetThings t1_iyd8dwr wrote
Grab something to eat... Now while you're eating. Do you notice yourself only chewing on one side of your mouth? Or do you move the food from one side to the other?
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