Overweight: Feeding indoor cats just once a day could improve their health

In France, 35% of cats are overweight or obese, and the numbers are only going up. Overweight animals are more prone to health problems, have a lower quality of life, and a shorter life expectancy. And it’s a vicious cycle: the more overweight the animal is, the more mobility issues it has, and the more weight it gains due to a lack of activity. How can we break this cycle? A new study from the University of Guelph offers some insights. We should reduce—not increase—the frequency of cats’ meals. In fact, animal nutrition experts say that feeding cats one large meal a day helps them better control their hunger, compared to several meals a day. These findings may come as a surprise. For a long time, it was recommended to give cats several small, spaced-out portions to better regulate their weight. But in reality, no concrete studies supported this approach. On the contrary, according to the researchers, it would be physiologically more logical and beneficial for cats to eat only once a day. Human research provides fairly concrete and consistent evidence supporting the effects of intermittent fasting on satiety and human health. Even large wild cats engage in a form of intermittent fasting between meals, the authors note. To establish sound dietary recommendations for cats, the researchers used a comprehensive approach for the first time, analyzing the effects of feeding on appetite-suppressing hormones, physical activity, energy expenditure, and energy resource utilization. When cats were fed the same amount but in four meals spread throughout the day, their physical activity was indeed higher, but their overall energy expenditure was similar. The single meal, on the other hand, was perceived as more satisfying due to higher levels of three key hormones that regulate appetite. Furthermore, the fasting respiratory quotient of cats fed once daily was lower, suggesting that they burn their fat reserves—which is essential for maintaining a low body mass. Cats fed a single meal also showed a greater increase in blood amino acids, meaning more protein was available to them for muscle development. The results therefore suggest that reducing feeding frequency could help lower the risk of obesity by controlling cats’ appetites and potentially causing them to eat less. But the authors caution that the study was small-scale. It is important for the findings to be replicated before any recommendations are changed. And it is always important to evaluate each animal individually to take into account the animal’s and owner’s lifestyle. While this approach may promote satiety in some cats, it might be unsuitable for others.