Chubby cat from Dundee enters PDSA Pet Fit club

04 February 2020

A chubby feline from Dundee is looking to shed the pounds after entering the UK’s biggest pet slimming competition – PDSA Pet Fit Club.

Ten-year-old Sox now struggles to get up the stairs after his weight ballooned to a whopping 11kg (24lbs), 120% over his ideal weight (approx. 5kg).

Sox’s owner Stephanie Cowan from Dundee, adopted her beloved cat from a rescue centre when he was just a few weeks old:

She said: “Sox doesn’t have a massive appetite but his weight has gradually crept up over the years. When you see them every day it’s difficult to notice when they’re getting bigger, but we know that he’s a lot slower and less energetic than he was this time last year”.

“Sox is an indoor cat and doesn’t get out much, so he doesn’t get much exercise and I am concerned about his increasing weight. We have another cat named Finn, who has a massive appetite, but Finn weighs much less than Sox. I always measure their food portions out, and try not to overfeed them but I am worried and just want Sox to be healthy.”

Following advice from PDSA vets, Stephanie has already made positive changes to Sox’s diet. To help get her flabby feline in shape, Stephanie has entered him into PDSA’s Pet Fit Club competition – a six month diet and exercise challenge.

PDSA Vet Theodora Stefanou said: “Sox is quite a way off his ideal weight so we are obviously concerned about his health. It’s good that Stephanie recognises that he needs to lose weight and we are pleased that she has already made changes to his diet. She is committed to helping him and with the right support and choices, I’m confident that he will reach a healthy weight.”

Stephanie added: “Sox is such a huge part of our family. He has helped my daughter through some very difficult times in her life and we would be lost without him. I want to help him lose weight so he can spend many more years enjoying life. That’s why I’ve entered Sox into Pet Fit Club and I hope we will be lucky enough to make the final.”

The vet charity is appealing for the UK’s fattest pets to enrol in the contest. The call comes as stats reveal up to half of UK pets are believed to be overweight or obese.