A feeding and weight resistance apparatus for an animal that includes a platform configured to move in response to lifting force exerted by the animal onto the platform； a food repository configured to store food； and a feeding interface. The feeding interface may be configured to: impair food to be dispensed in response to retrieval force exerted by the animal, and regulate food dispensed from the food repository for a predetermined duration in response to the lifting force exerted by the animal toward the platform. A method of feeding and applying weight resistance for an animal. A method of diagnosing or evaluating an animal using the feeding and weight lifting apparatus and method for the study and application in the field of biomedicine, including but not limited thereto, the field of exercise physiology.
