Although many cat parents know that fat felines have a higher likelihood of developing health problems, some won’t start their chubby charges on a weight-loss program. The reason may surprise you.

Their reluctance boils down to a fear of getting the cold shoulder. They worry that if they put their cat on a strict diet, the cat will replace affection with begging — and worse.

But results of a recent study should give folks comfort. Of 47 pet cats put on strict diets, 38 lost weight within a month. And while these cats did tend to beg a bit more, each cat’s behavior didn’t really change from its pre-diet conduct. Best of all, weight-watching cats were significantly more affectionate than they were before they started the diets.

So it looks like you can count your cat’s calories while still counting on cuddles.