Some people claim that cats only love you because you feed them. If that’s true, then will an overweight kitty still love you if you put him or her on a diet to help them lose weight?

Fortunately, the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests that owners need not fear rejection if they restrict their cats’ calories. After an eight-week diet, the journal discovered that cats actually demonstrated more affection after they were fed, their owners reported.

“Maybe owners will now be more likely to do what’s healthy for their cats,” said Dr. Bonnie Beaver, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

So don’t equate food with affection. Your cat may still love you even if you don’t give them all the food they want. Remember, your cat may still love you as long as you care for it so bribing it with food to make a cat love you pretty much means you need to actually care for your cat to make it like you.

To read more about the dilemma between feeding a cat to gain its affection, click here.