How cats’ sense of smell influences their appetite more than fullness

If you've witnessed your cat leave a meal that was half eaten and then return like nothing had happened then you're not the only one. This bizarre behavior has for years both pet owners and vets alike. A new research from Iwate University in Japan offers an interesting explanation which is a challenge to the notion that cats aren't eating due to being overstuffed.

A Mystery Rooted in the Senses

The research, carried out by scientists at Iwate University, explores a human phenomenon known as olfactory sensor-specific satisfaction. This phenomenon is the reason people may feel completely satisfied following eating a delicious meal but suddenly have room to eat dessert after there is a fresh scent that enters the room. According to research that cats operate with an identical sensory mechanism.


In the paper they published The researchers note cats often pause their meals after they finish their meals and even during prolonged fasting. They usually return to eating within a short time. This suggests that fullness doesn't determine the manner in which they consume food. However, other factors such as sensory such as smell and taste are likely to play an important part.

Evolutionary Clues Behind Feline Eating Habits

To comprehend this behavior it is helpful to study the evolution of domestic cats. In contrast to dogs, who evolved as pack hunter animals and often consume huge portions of food fast they are descendants of small-scale predators like cats, such as the African wildcat. The ancestors of cats hunted smaller prey often throughout the day, which led to the natural preference for smaller, less frequent food intakes.

This evolutionary history could explain the reason why cats aren't as likely to eat a substantial amount at a time. They're not solely about appetite however, they also consider the way their bodies react to the food they are eating in their midst.

Inside the Study

The scientists designed a carefully controlled trial with 12 healthy and mixed-breed domestic cats. All of them were neutered, and they were fed according to a pre-determined program. Following a fast of 16 hours every cat received an appropriate portion in dry foods.

It was surprising that only four of the 12 cats ate the entire food within 10 minutes. They stopped eating when they had consumed around one third of their portions after fasting for several hours. The findings alone challenge the belief system that cats are hungry and devour food until full.

To further investigate, researchers tested six varieties of cat food. Each having a distinctive odor. The food's smell varied, but since the different types of cat food had different scent, the strength of the smell didn't necessarily indicate how much cats enjoyed the food.

The Power of Novelty

The most intriguing aspect of the study was frequent feeding cycles. Every cat had a sequence of meals, switching between feeding and rest intervals. If the same food item was served repeatedly, cats started to eat less food in time. But, if different food items were offered in a sequence the intake of cats increased dramatically.

What was even more fascinating was the reaction when a brand new food item was introduced following several sessions of the same food. The cat's interest to eat was restored immediately regardless of whether the food was not as appealing. This clearly demonstrated the significance of novelty more than just taste.

Researchers also examined whether the scent of a particular aroma could affect the way that cats eat. In one test, animals received the same meal however, they were exposed to a distinct smell using a unique two-compartment bowl. The results were striking. Cats began eating more frequently, even though the food they were eating did not change.

Smell Over Fullness

More research has confirmed this theory. If cats were exposed to the odor of food they planned to consume and ate less, they ate fewer. In contrast exposure to a distinct smell of food prior to eating increased the amount of food they ate.

According to the animal behavior expert Masao Miyazaki, this indicates that cats become less interested for food once they have become used to the smell. A new smell alters the motivation for them to take food. Also it's not just the desire to eat that triggers eating, however, it is the brain's reaction to stimuli.

Why Dogs Are Different

It is interesting to note that this habit of olfaction is less apparent when it comes to dogs. Research suggests that dogs are more susceptible to changes in smell, and this could be the reason for the tendency of them to consume food in a frenzied manner. This may also contribute in the reason why dogs are utilized in the role of scent identification for example, smelling out explosives and contraband.

Implications for Cat Health

The results of this research can be useful to cat owners and vets. If overweight cats are in good health, controlled exposure to odors of food could be a way to regulate appetite without having to make drastic changes in diet. In contrast, for elderly or sick animals that are unable to eat, the introduction of different scents may increase the desire to eat and boost their nutrition.

This method could be an easy and effective method to control eating habits without the need for medication or drastic diet adjustments.

A New Perspective on Feline Behavior

In the end, this study changes how we comprehend what makes cats eat as they do. The seemingly random feeding patterns do not happen randomly, but is deeply embedded in the sensory system and evolutionary past.

The next time that your cat leaves their bowl and returns after a short time, it may not be refusing food or not feeling satisfied. In fact, it may respond to a short-term decrease in the interest of its senses. An enlightened aroma could be enough to entice them back to take another bite.