Meet Pepsi-cola – our 2019 PDSA Pet Fit Club 'top cat'
Pepsi-cola from Blackpool was once so overweight she couldn’t jump the garden fence. She weighed-in at a whopping 8.8kg (1st 5lb) – 60% over her ideal weight (5.5kg/12lb).
Pepsi (7) piled on the pounds after a life of eating and sleeping. But her excess weight was causing major problems with grooming and general mobility so her owners decided to take action before she suffered long term health problems.
After following a six months diet and exercise programme, which included cutting back the food and treats and increasing play, Pepsi lost 17% of her bodyweight, reaching a healthier 7.3kg (1st 2lb).
Her family also introduced a microchip activated food bowl to stop Pepsi stealing food from the family’s other cat, Cee-Lo, which helped her weight loss.
Pepsi’s owner Nicola, from Poulton-Le-Fylde, said: “We are thrilled, and so happy at the change in Pepsi.”
“The feeder made a huge difference - having two cats, it reassured us that Pepsi was only eating her food.
“The first couple of days were so funny when she realised she couldn’t get food from the other cat’s feeder. She just kept walking up to it and looking at us in confusion when it wouldn’t open.”
“She likes the fact she can now jump higher than she used to. She has a mad half hour where she runs around the house just because she can.”
PDSA vet Rachel said: “Pepsi has undergone a huge transformation thanks to her family’s dedicated, changing her life for the better. She is unrecognisable from the cat that came for her first weigh-in and was facing a life time of problems caused by her weight. She’s healthier and happier now and will be able to enjoy a much better quality of life.”
PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Through our 48 Pet Hospitals and Pet Care scheme, we save the lives of poorly pets who would otherwise be left untreated.
Every year, we helped over 388,000 pets. Without us, emergency cases like Pepsi-cola's would be left untreated and many pets could lose their lives or be separated from families who love them.
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