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Cats eat more during the winter, a new research has found. 

The research also recommended that the owners should give their pets more food during the winter season.

The study, performed by researchers at University's School of Veterinary Science, in collaboration with colleagues at the Royal Canin Research Centre in France, monitored cats for four years and found that their food intake increased in colder months and decreased in summer. 

Researchers had installed a microchip on cats' collar which enabled them to take as much food as they wanted from a dispenser. The chip also recorded the quantity they ate and when.

"Cats, like many humans are more inclined to comfort eat when it's cold outside but, in their case, it's likely to be due to the extra energy they need to keep warm when out and about," said veterinarian and study author, Dr Alex German, in the press release.

Statistically, according to the study, cats ate approximately 15 percent less food during summer. 

The cats studied upon were inhabitants of a centre in southern France where they were allowed to play and exercise outside all year around. They were of mixed breeds, ages and genders. 

"People should consider the amount of food their cats need at different times of year as this can be part of helping them to maintain a healthy weight," Dr German added. 

The study has been published in the journal PLoS One.