Rescue staff put fat cat on a strict diet after 21lb moggy couldn’t clean herself

A fat cat has been put on a diet after she shocked rescue centre staff with her massive size and struggled to clean herself.

Four-year-old Paisley weighed 1st 7lb – more than double the healthy 8lb for a cat.

She has been put on to a strict diet in an effort to help her shed the pounds after her owner could not cope with her anymore.

Paisley is so large that she has to be helped to clean herself by staff at the Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre in Chelwood Gate, West Sussex.

Tania Marsh, deputy manager of the centre, said staff were lost for words when Paisley arrived on October 17.

She said: ‘When I saw Paisley I thought “Oh my goodness”. It took my breath away. She’s the fattest cat I’ve ever seen.

‘I’ve been with Cats Protection for 13 years and we get some cats on the larger side sometimes but nothing of this extent.’ 

Tania Marsh (left and right with Paisley), deputy manager of the centre, said staff were lost for words when Paisley arrived on October 17

Staff at the centre believe Paisley’s massive bulk (shown) is due to being overfed by her previous owner

Staff at the centre believe Paisley’s massive bulk is due to being overfed by her previous owner.

Ms Marsh added Paisley had not had much opportunity exercise which, combined with her poor diet, caused her weight to sky rocket.

Her former owners gave her up for adoption on October 17 and Paisley has already found a new owner who she’ll be moving in with shortly.

Ms March said: ‘We can only put it down to the quantity of food she was given.

Ms Marsh added Paisley had not had much opportunity exercise which, combined with her poor diet, caused her weight (pictured) to sky rocket

‘Paisley was loved with food if you like. She was a mainly indoor cat and didn’t go outside that much so there was a lack of opportunity for exercise.

‘She’s lovely, she’s very loving and interactive. She’s such a dear little cat so it’s sad to see her the weight that she is.

‘Paisley likes to sit on your lap but she really struggles to be as active as she should be.

‘She can’t move around properly to clean herself so we have to help her do it.’

Paisley is now on a vet-prescribed diet to help her slim down in a controlled way and is already beginning to trim down, currently weighing 1st 6lb.

Paisley (pictured) is now on a vet-prescribed diet to help her slim down in a controlled way and is already beginning to trim down, currently weighing 1st 6lb

Ms March said despite the progress Paisley has made, she is still at risk of developing diabetes.

She said: ‘There are so many health risks that are coming her way because of her weight such as diabetes and heart problems.

When she goes to her new home she will have to maintain the diet, no treats are allowed.

‘The cat food is specially formulated to have less calories and it allows them to feel fuller for longer so they don’t feel hungry all the time.

When she goes to her new home she will have to maintain the diet, no treats are allowed

‘Regular checks with the vet will also be needed, we need to make sure she doesn’t lose weight too quickly otherwise she could develop a fatty liver.’

Ms March added the best way to keep cats healthy is to avoid over feeding them on treats and other snacks – as well as give them lots of love and attention.

She said: ‘My advice would be to feed your cats twice a day. Limit the treats and tidbits in between and if you do give them to your cat then modify their meal size accordingly.

‘Interact with them and move with them as much as possible.

‘If you’re not seeing that natural waist line when you look down at them than you should be able to feel it as you’re gently stroking them. If you can’t feel their ribs you need to think about helping them slim down.’