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Japanese scientists discover the reason why cats don't finish all their food
2026-04-26 21:49:04 / MISTERE&KURIOZITETE
Scientists in Japan may have uncovered one of the greatest mysteries of cat behavior - the reason why many cats leave food in their bowls even when they're not full, according to ScienceDirect.
A new study published in the journal "Physiology & Behavior" showed that the answer seems to lie not in hunger, but in the smell and novelty associated with the senses.
The experiment was conducted by Prof. Masao Miyazaki and doctoral student Takumi Takahashi at the Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University.
They followed the behavior of 12 domestic cats under controlled laboratory conditions.
The results showed that when cats were repeatedly fed the same food and the same scent, they ate less and less – even if they had gone hours without food.
But when a new food was offered, or even just with a different flavor, their hunger immediately increased and they started eating again.
The study showed that changing the scent alone – without changing the food – is enough to stimulate cats' desire to eat.
This explains why cats often prefer to eat small amounts throughout the day, unlike dogs.
Experts say these findings could help cat owners and veterinarians, offering ways to improve cats' appetites - so they don't waste food.
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