Source: Science Alert
A new study explains why cats often stop eating before finishing their food: it’s not because they’re full, but because they become bored with the smell. Researchers found that cats experience a phenomenon similar to humans called sensory-specific satiety, where repeated exposure to the same odor reduces appetite. In experiments with 12 domestic cats, even after fasting, most animals ate only part of their meal. When offered the same food repeatedly, their intake declined over time. However, introducing a new food (or even just a different smell) renewed their interest and increased consumption.
The findings suggest that olfactory novelty plays a key role in feline feeding behavior, rooted in their evolutionary history as solitary hunters that consume small, varied meals. This insight could help improve feeding strategies, encouraging underweight or sick cats to eat more while potentially helping control overeating in obese cats.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-finally-reveal-why-cats-stop-eating