Japanese Researchers Discover Why Cats Stop Eating Mid-Meal

By Lara Kramer  •  10 Apr 2026 in News

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A research team in Japan has found that when cats leave food in their bowls, it’s not just because they’re full. Smell plays a big role too!

Scientists from Iwate University, led by Professor Masao Miyazaki, discovered that cats gradually lose interest in their food once they become familiar with its scent. But introducing a new smell can spark their appetite again, even if the food itself hasn’t changed.

In the study, 12 healthy mixed-breed cats aged between 3 and 15 were observed over a period from January 2023 to February 2026. After going without food for 16 hours, the cats were fed in cycles of 10 minutes of eating followed by 10-minute breaks, repeated six times.

The results showed that when the same food was given repeatedly, the cats ate less over time and often left food behind.

However, when different foods or even just new scents were introduced, their appetite picked up again.

Published in the journal Physiology & Behaviour, the findings suggest that cats may stop eating either because they’re full or simply bored of the smell. A fresh scent seems to reset their interest in food.

The researchers believe this explains why cats naturally prefer eating smaller, more frequent meals. They also hope the findings could help improve the appetite of sick cats by adding new scents to their food.

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