A former fat cat from Dundee has given up his gluttonous ways and lost nearly a quarter of its body weight in just six months for a national pet slimming competition.
Entei, who once tipped the scales at a colossal 1st 2Ib (7.2kg), has impressed the pet charity PDSA’s judges and was named runner up in Pet Fit Club 2016.
The insatiable male feline was 44% over its ideal weight, meaning it was at risk from serious health problems and a shortened life span. It is now a much healthier one stone (6.35kg).
When owner Andy Edwards first brought Entei home he was already overweight after being spoilt by his previous owner.
Entei had been living with several other cats and, because he’s deaf and vulnerable, used to wolf food down before the others could get their paws on it, leading to weight gain.
Andy, 48, said: “When I first got him, the vets were very concerned that he was too fat to survive an operation if he needed one.
“But now he’s lost some weight, he’s healthier and a lot stronger. We still have a little way to go to his ideal weight but we’re edging closer. He’s so much livelier which is fantastic to see!
“We don’t let him outside because he is deaf so exercising is a struggle. We’ve been putting small amounts of food in different places around the house to encourage him to move around.”
The Pet Fit Club involves a strict six-month diet and exercise programme, specially tailored and overseen by PDSA’s vets and nurses.
Entei’s weight-loss has been supervised by Fiona McLeod, from Dundee PDSA Pet Hospital.
She said: “Entei has done amazingly well on Pet Fit Club.
“Andy has been very dedicated and worked extremely hard to help change Entei’s lifestyle for the better.
“They have stuck to the diet and they’re now seeing the rewards for all of their hard work.”
