Famous Feline Passes Away Due to Obesity

A cat that garnered national headlines about pet obesity passed away days ago. Meow, who weighed an astonishing 39 pounds, died from lung failure. The cat's story was featured in news sources across the country, often with teasing undertones. The orange-and-white feline apparently liked to eat hot dogs and often became stuck in things due to his large girth. While the stories may have been funny to some, they did showcase a growing problem in America. Just as obesity has increased in both adults and children, so too has it affected our pets. And just as it can lead to health problems in humans, so too can cats and dogs find their life expectancies decreased dramatically.

Meow was taken in by a Santa Fe animal shelter after his owner could no longer take care of him. If the owner, an 87-year-old woman, had properly taken care of Meow, he would have weighed between 7 to 10 pounds, the ideal weight for a tabby of his age. The executive director of the shelter likened this to a human male weighing 600 pounds, which is clearly overweight and likely to be rife with health problems. If your cat is struggling with obesity, get helpful tips and treatment options by working with a local veterinarian!