New Study Reveals Cats Are More Satisfied After One Big Meal

A new study from animal nutrition specialists at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada, have discovered something quite interesting. Turns out, giving your cat one big meal is more satisfying to them than providing them with a few small meals throughout the day.

Weird, right? That's exactly the opposite of what's been told to us. Yet, out of eight indoor cats, who over the course of 21 days were fed once daily and then fed four times daily, the cats who ate just the one, big meal a day had a higher level of three appetites-regulating hormones. The researchers claim they were more satisfied and not only more full but also burning their fat stores and even had more protein to help build some muscle.

Story via Daily Mail

Posted by AmyBrown

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Adronie Verbrugghe, professor and veterinarian with the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, said this new study "may surprise the veterinary community and many cat owners.”

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Kate Shoveller, a professor with the university’s department of animal biosciences, had this to say about the new cat feeding study, "There was no good research to back up the several-meals-a-day approach that many owners hear--

and so we wanted to put some real data behind current feeding recommendations to be sure they were right for cats."

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Big cats in the wild aren't eating several meals a day, they feast when they've got a kill and fast until the next one. Shoveller says, "Physiologically, it makes sense that feeding only once a day would have benefits.”

While this new study may help promote some healthy eating habits in some cats, it might not help another, so be cautious if you're planning to give this feeding trial a go.

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Vanessa Howie, Cats Protection's head of clinical services, told Daily Mail, "In general we recommend that cats of six months to a year should be fed twice a day. For one year and older, we recommend once a day but this can differ with each cat. --

Some cats may still need feeding twice and this should be based on the individual cat's needs. Feeding enrichment puzzles and toys are great ways to keep your cat occupied as well as limiting their treat intake to help keep their weight under control."

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