Billie

The Ideal Size for Billie

Introducing Billie

Black-and- white tom cat Billie (10) was nominated for the fat fighting competition by his retired owners Vilma and Ron Warren from Eden Vale in Sunderland. Billie loves his food and always had a bigger and unhealthier appetite than his housemate Bobby, who recently passed away. Devouring his own meals he also had no problem helping himself from Bobby’s bowl too!
Although Billie doesn’t like to wander beyond the safety of the back garden, he loves to play games of catch with his ever-growing collection of cat toys. To help him take more exercise his owners have been walking him in the cul-de-sac where they live and he is happy to plod alongside them although he is always equally happy to get home!

Weight story

In Vilma’s words: “Billie is a lovely old gentleman who would eat all the time if I let him. His favourite meal is white fish, but even when he’s just had his meal he still looks for more and it has been hard to deny him especially since we lost Bobby who had been his companion for 11 years. I’m sure he will enjoy life and maybe the great outdoors far more when he has lost a few excess pounds.”

Half way update

Comfort eater Billie is less bulky these days thanks to his new Pet Fit Club diet. No longer an addict to his favourite milky button treats, Billie has a new leaner look and a refreshed appetite for the outdoors!

Billie was 93% overweight and looked every inch the cat that got the cream, with second helpings and anything else he could get his paws on!

“Losing his companion Bobby had a huge impact on Billie,” said Billie’s owner Vilma. “He always helped himself to Bobby’s food which was the start of his problem and his love of treats took over as we wanted to comfort him when Bobby died.”

According to Vilma, his great progress in the competition has taken some of the weight off Billie’s paws: “Billie has a new love for the outdoors and is much keener to get out and about. He is definitely lighter on his feet!”

The Final Weigh In

Stats

Starting weight: 8.7kg

% overweight: 93%

Ideal weight: 4.5kg

Finishing weight: 6.7kg

Total weight lost: 2kg (23%)

Waist decrease: 14cm

Billie is a cat who can celebrate a colossal weight loss! Thanks to his patient and caring owner, Vilma, Billie gradually stopped begging for his favourite treats and extra helpings to become a lighter, happier and more playful cat.

“He still loves fish and when he started the diet he needed a little mixed into a tiny bit of his food to encourage him to take that first mouthful,” says Vilma. “But he soon got over that hurdle he stopped begging for food anymore so everything became easier as we went along.”

Now a slim-line 6.7kg, Billie enjoys getting out and about, and is no longer a feline couch potato. Vilma has been delighted to watch Billie grow more playful as he shed the weight, as she said: “Billie is a lot more active since he’s lost weight, and loves to chase his ball. It’s almost like he’s a kitten again, and in fact he loves to play with the two kittens next door and it’s wonderful to see him enjoying himself.”

Billie will be continuing on the diet as he works towards his ideal weight but right now he is enjoying being a ‘new’ cat with a renewed approach to life. “Pet Fit Club has been great,” said Vilma. “So many pets are overweight these days, so it’s been a brilliant opportunity for us to help Billie, as well as raise awareness of the problem.”