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After having to say a surprising goodbye to 33-pound feline SpongeBob, it is encouraging to see a fat cat climbing the ladder to success. According to CBC News, a gorgeous gray cat named Tiny is trying to live up to his name, shedding more than 10 of his 30.2 pounds.
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The obese cutie dropped in on the Fredericton, New Brunswick SPCA in December, attracting quite a bit of attention with his robust body.
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Tiny decided to look dapper for his most recent weigh-in, donning a tie to the event. It's a good thing he looked so stylish, because the trip to the scale ended up being a big deal, marking the first time Tiny has dropped below the 20-pound mark since he started his weight-loss journey.
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LeeAnn Haggerty, the director of education and training at the Fredericton SPCA, told CBC News that her staff has been dedicated to helping Tiny find his way to a slimmer figure in order to improve his health. “When he came to the shelter, we knew this weight was a medical emergency, really that obesity in pets can be fatal. His weight was quite a concern," she said.
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Haggerty hopes to see Tiny shed a bit more, ending up around 15-17 pounds. She said that most adult cats weigh around 10 pounds, but since Tiny truly has a bigger frame, he can keep a couple of extra pounds.
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The weight loss is already having positive effects on Tiny's health. He used to have a dull coat, vacant eyes and barely enough energy to move more than a few feet at a time. Today, he is sporting a more vibrant look and is full of playful energy.
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Haggerty understands that Tiny's chubby look may be cute to some, but she warns that it comes with major risks. Overweight cats are more susceptible to arthritis, diabetes and organ issues.
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Weight-loss plans for obese cats should be approached carefully, since losing the pounds too fast can be stressful for felines. For Tiny's plan, he was moved into a foster home and carefully looked after throughout his diet.
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The attention Tiny has received has even led to his own clothing line. The SPCA is making kitty-sized ties out of tartan fabric, and selling them on eBay and Etsy, calling them Tiny ties. The profits from sales go to help animals with medical emergencies. The line already has raised over $5,000.
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Tiny's future continues to look bright. The shrinking kitty is on the track to lose more weight, and it appears his foster home will become his permanent family.
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Haggerty told CBC News, “We’re just excited that he’s going to be healthy and be in a great home and we’re looking forward to celebrating."
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16 Comments
we adopted a senior cat from the shelter in April. and he was fat. he was stuck in a cage over 7 months. so he wasnt working out and he was mad. i still got him. i knew no one would get an angry old black cat. it is august and he lost so much weight, he is so happy, loves running around. and grooms
August 23 2012 at 2:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyhimself. when cats can not groom themselves, they get depressed.
My Vet said dry cat food to cats would be comparable to feeding people nothing but donuts. I feed my cats canned food - only 2 3oz cans every day, no dry food and no people food. I have one cat who is underweight, one who is normal, one who is just a little overweight and one who is a lot overweight. They obviously have different metabolisms and are prone to staying at a particular weight just like humans.
August 18 2012 at 2:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi agree. most dry foods that is out there have too much carbs and calories. esp a lot of people just leave food out and animals are like humans. we eat when we are bored.
August 23 2012 at 2:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI think I can see a little analogy between us humans and cats and dogs here. I'd think women (and cats, when you think of animals) would probably have it a LITTLE worse than men (or dogs, ditto). However, it could be the OTHER WAY AROUND, or AT AN EQUAL PAR.
August 17 2012 at 11:06 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Replyi have a cat that weighs 24 pds, but his paws are big his head is big and he stands about 20inches high. he is about 36 inches long from his tail to his head he is one big huge cat he has very long hair his his roughly 6 inches long all over.. everyone is shocked at how big he is. he eats abut 3/4 of a cup of dry food and most of the time he does finish it in 24 hours..he is amazing if you were to see him you just would believe it . he so loving so sweet and he could tear my 2 dogs up.who only wieghs 14 pds each. animals are like people they are all different sizes and shapes and weight. who cares as long as they happy and good animals. i know i don't over feed my cat.. happy in arizona..
August 17 2012 at 10:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyi have a cat that weighs 24 pds, but his paws are big his head is big and he stands about 20inches high. he is about 36 inches long from his tail to his head he is one big huge cat he has very long hair his his roughly 6 inches long all over.. everyone is shocked at how big he is. he eats abut 3/4 of a cup of dry food and most of the time he does finish it in 24 hours..he is amazing if you were to see him you just would believe it . he so loving so sweet and he could tear my 2 dogs up.who only wieghs 14 pds each. animals are like people they are all different sizes and shapes and weight. who cares as long as they happy and good animals. i know i don't over feed my cat.. happy in arizona..
August 17 2012 at 10:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply...........omg...........cause heart attack soon.careful stop eating!!! that is fat cats........
August 17 2012 at 7:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWHERE'S THE BAGPIPES!!!!!! LOL
August 17 2012 at 6:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI have a yellow male too. he weighs 16#. I measure out his food...1/2 cup twice a day. I feed him purina cat chow healthy weight. he doesn't like wet food
August 17 2012 at 4:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replymix his dry food with wet food slowly. and he will get used to it. cats are stubborn and you have to trick them
August 23 2012 at 2:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyMy cat has gained some weight. She is getting old,11, and likes to eat alone in my bathroom, attached to the master bath> She east on demand, which isn't working... She eats about every 2 hours. So I am putting her on a diet, or feeding 2 to 3 times a day. She will just have to get use to feeding that way
August 17 2012 at 4:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThey have diet food for cats. My cat had to eat it after he gained too much weight from taking steroids for an illness. The thing is to feed them only twice a day and only the specified amount. At first it seemed like so little, but my cat hasn't really complained. I give him the dry food, they have wet food also. My vet said she feeds her cats the diet food exclusively.
August 17 2012 at 3:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply