Researchers identify why cats leave food behind: changing the “smell” restores appetite; Iwate University

Iwate University found that cats’ reduced eating is not just about fullness, but also about smell adaptation.

In a 12-cat experiment, changing the aroma of the same food restored their food intake.

The results suggest that cats may eat more when the scent changes, even if the food itself is unchanged.

The findings could help improve feeding methods for cats with poor appetite and guide pet food development.