BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

Research published in PLOS One by nutritionists at University of Guelph suggest that feeding cats just one meal a day could reduce hunger. Cats fed one meal a day seemed more satisfied and less likely to beg. Researchers suggest this could prevent weight gain and reduce the number of overweight cats. 

These findings are contradictory to what most veterinarians have been telling cat owners regarding feeding frequency. It was previously thought that cats needed several meals a day for optimum nutrition. This study is the first to analyze feeding frequency and its effects on appetite suppressing hormones, energy expenditure and physical activity. 

The study involved eight cats, all of healthy weight and under the age of five. Cats were fed one meal in the morning or were fed the same total amount divided into four smaller meals. Each cat was exposed to both schedules for three weeks each. Researchers recorded physical activity, daily food intake and weekly weight measurement. Cats fed four meals a day showed higher physical activity, but did not expend any more energy than cats fed once daily. Weight did not change for either group during the study. 

Cats that were fed one meal a day had higher post-meal levels of appetite regulating hormones and lower fasting respiratory quotient consistent with burning fat stores. These cats also had more increased in blood amino acids which translates into more protein for muscle mass. 

Researchers feel that once meal a day is more consistent with big cats in the wild who make a big kill and then fast until their next kill. Researchers acknowledge this feeding style may not be appropriate for every cat and would like to conduct longer studies.