The present invention concerns a non-fatty palatability enhancer for use in cat food comprising an amino reactant having a ratio AAS/AAT of sulfur-containing free amino acids (AAS) to total free amino acids (AAT) from 1 to 12.8% by weight, and a carbonyl composition comprising more than 20% up to 100% by weight of monosaccharides and/or disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides.