{"id":325,"date":"2022-02-06T10:33:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T15:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fatcathercules.com\/?p=325"},"modified":"2022-03-06T11:52:57","modified_gmt":"2022-03-06T16:52:57","slug":"why-do-people-overfeed-their-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fatcathercules.com\/why-do-people-overfeed-their-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do People Overfeed Their Cats?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to feline obesity, a lot of folks jump to the conclusion that owners must be “abusive” and must be “force feeding” their cats in order to get their cats fat. This is not speculation – this is our lived experience. As someone who has had (and still has) an overweight cat, I have the answer for you. Why do people overfeed their cats? Truthfully, 9 times out of 10, it’s due to lack of education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to stop owners from overfeeding their cats, you have to take a step back and put aside the conclusions you’ve come to through your own thoughts and feelings. Removing your own biases is key here. Once you’ve done that – you need to ask yourself why<\/em>. WHY are owners overfeeding their cats? Is it intentional? Not intentional? Either way – why? Why, why, why… keep asking why until you can’t ask why anymore. And you’ll come to the conclusion I already stated above…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do people overfeed their cats? Because they lack the education and guidance necessary to feed appropriately.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Intent Matters <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Intent and impact are both very important things to recognize in all situations, but especially here. While the impact of overfeeding a cat is that they gain weight (and become at risk<\/em> for obesity-related complications), if you don’t understand the intent behind why an owner is overfeeding, you’ll never be able to fold the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? Because…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution to the problem needs to match<\/em> with the intent.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Many people, including quite a number that we’ve encountered in our own lived experience, jump to conclusions about “why” a cat is overweight and along with this conclusion, come many of that person’s own biases. They do not consider how<\/em> the cat may have become overweight nor do they consider to ask the owner about their history with the cat thus far and what has or has not been tried. They jump to accusations of abuse, neglect or “clout chasing”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do People Overfeed Their Cats: 5 Reasons Why<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re going to take a logical, methodical and educated approach to understanding why<\/em> people overfeed their cats. We’re going to base our conversation on the culpability model<\/strong> by psychologist Professor James Reason. Professor Reason\u2019s principal area of research<\/a> has been the management of human error and systems failures. This means that Professor Reason specializes in why<\/em> humans make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Why<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#1 – Deliberate Harm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Deliberate harm is somewhat self-explanatory. It means that a person was of sound mind to know<\/em> the risks associated with what they were doing, were aware that the risks would be significant and\/or negative, but chose to do it anyways.<\/p>\n\n\n