An enormous cat who became so fat he couldn’t even turn his head to clean himself is feline fine again — after losing HALF his bodyweight.
Casper ballooned to a whopping 10.2kg (22.4lbs) – twice his recommended size – after being pampered with treats like chicken and roast potatoes.
The mega-moggy even stole food from owner Christine Collins’ terrified terrier Timmi to feed his appetite.
At his heaviest, Casper struggled to walk, could not jump and had to be washed by hand as he was unable to lick himself clean.
But last year Christine, 54, decided to take action and put him on a special diet.
Six months later Casper is half the size and now weighs in at a slender 6.3kg (13.8lbs).
Christine, of Pilton, Edinburgh, said yesterday (Thur): “He couldn’t jump on the sofa and he used to waddle when he walked.
“He used to eat everything, roast potatoes, chicken, and he even used to steal the dog food from my Jack Russell.
“He was so heavy I couldn’t even pick him up. He was massive. “I had to wash him because he couldn’t reach past his stomach to clean himself.
“Now he’s lost the weight, but I have to stay vigilant to keep him away from food which is difficult because now he can jump. But he’s much happier.”
Christine rescued Casper when he was four weeks old and weighing just a pound after finding him neglected in a house over-run with cats.
She nursed him back to health but over-indulged him with a constant supply of treats. At his heaviest Casper was eating 150 grams of cat food a day, on top of treats and stolen food.
Christine added: “When I found Casper home he was so small he fit in the palm of my hand.
“It only took me a month to get him back to a normal weight but then things went too far and over the years he just became greedy.”
The turning point came earlier this year when Casper became so large he could no longer lick himself.
Christine enrolled him in the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Pet Fit Club.
His diet was reduced to a small daily allowance and the weight began to drop off.
Within six months Casper weighed in at 6.3kg (13.8lbs) and is happier than ever.
Christine said: “Staff at the fit club have been really supportive, I couldn’t have done it without them.
“His coat is beautiful and he’s so much happier. He’s a completely new cat.”
Casper’s diet and fitness programme was specially tailored by the vets and nurses at Edinburgh PDSA PetAid hospital.
PDSA senior vet Andrew Hogg says: “Casper has made great progress over the last six months.
“Weight loss in cats has to be achieved very slowly and under close veterinary supervision as too rapid a weight-loss can be dangerous to their health.
Christine and Casper have done incredibly well.
“Obesity is a growing problem amongst UK pets and we hope this will inspire others to make a positive change to their pets’ lifestyles.”
