Chubbs, a Himalayan mix estimated to be about 10 years old, was grossly overweight. His long fur was so matted it seemed to be painful for him, and much of it had to be shaved (or cut) off. Perhaps he was never brushed, or he was just too large to groom himself.
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Most of us have heard the term “fat cat”, usually referring to someone who has a lot of money and or influence, but earlier this month the workers at the Pasadena Humane Society and SPCA saw a real life fat cat, a stray that a good Samaritan found and brought to the shelter.
The cat weighed an astonishing 29 pounds! Now the average domestic cat should weigh around 10 pounds, although some small breeds can weigh less, and others – such as a Maine Coon Cat - can weigh more.
The shelter workers named the huge sweet-natured cat, “Chubbs”, and put out an alert on their Facebook page in hopes his owner could be found because he had no ID. Meanwhile, they did some badly-needed grooming and let him hang around the office because he wouldn’t fit comfortably in a kennel.
According to PetMD.com, more than half of all domestic cats in this country are overweight or actually obese. An owner might think that just makes their furry friend more lovable. It certainly made Chubbs huggable, but that excess weight can create a number of potential health risks for a cat, including diabetes, urinary tract problems, arthritis, thyroid issues and even heart disease, and shorten their life.
Although several people came forward saying Chubbs was their cat none of the claims could be confirmed. So Chubbs was put up for adoption this week and went home with a couple who were thrilled to get him. They lost their fourteen-year-old cat to cancer several months ago. They readily agreed to work with their own veterinarian to put Chubbs on a healthy diet, and cover any costs associated with his care including further medical testing for diabetes.
If you think your cat might be overweight, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help your furry buddy slim down.
And if you wish you had a kitty to pamper, June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, the perfect time to visit your local shelter or rescue group and find a feline friend to keep you company through thick and thin, when you’re speaking of pets.
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