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.