In 2012, the world was shaken by the news that a 40 pounds cat was enlisted in a pet shelter. Meow, also known as Meow the obese cat, was a male domestic cat who gained international attention in 2012 as the fattest cat in the world.
Everything happened when an animal shelter publicized efforts to slim him down, all in an attempt to have him adopted. However, Meow died of lung failure just two weeks after entering the animal shelter. At the time of his death, he was the world’s heaviest cat, weighing 39.7 pounds. Despite being heavy, he was not enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records, and for a good reason.
How Meow became the fattest cat in the world?
Meow was a domestic cat for a 87-year-old owner. After two years of taking care of him, the owner could no longer do it. So, he gave him to a shelter.
The reason why Meow got so fat was not because of something the owner did. No, Meow the obese cat suffered from a severe urinary tract infection, one that caused him to gain weight at a rapid rate. Before the infection, he was a cute and adorable cat, despite his weight.
When he got to the shelter, Meow was put on a diet. The shelter posted all his weigh-ins on a Facebook page that got national attention. The cat managed to shed two pounds, and was doing well, but then he began having breathing problems.
Despite constant attention and medical testing and treatment, Meow died shortly after he got problems with his lungs.
The shelter hoped that Meow’s fight will encourage other people to help their pets maintain the best health possible, including weight management and control.
When he was alive, surprisingly, Meow was not even the fattest cat in the history. That title belonged to Himmy, a cat from Australia that weighed almost 47 pounds. When the shelter contacted the Guinness Book of World Records, they said the organization no longer accepts admission from heavy cats. And for a good reason. Guinness believed that if they accept Meow, it will encourage other owners to overfeed their animals in an effort to get to the Guinness Book of World records.
The dangers of feline obesity are not much different than they are for humans. They cause extra pressure on the heart and joints.
Cats and weight
Domestic cats usually weight between 8lbs and 11lbs. That is a normal weight for cats. Meow, weighed close to 40lbs, which is almost four times more than the regular sie of a cat. That made him the heaviest cat in the world at the time. Himmy, who we mentioned earlier, died in 1986, and weighed 47 pounds.
Cat’s weight can depend on the breed and frame. For example, a Siamese cat weighs around 5 pounds, while a Maine Coon cat weighs 25 pounds when healthy.
You can consult with your vet whether your cat is healthy and obese or not, but there are also signs. The best way to determine whether your cat is obese or not is to inspect her figure. Cats should have a hourglass figure when you are looking down at them. They shouldn’t have a saggy belly hanging down, and you should be able to feel their ribs.
In most cases, weight gain in cats happen due to the type and quantity of the food they eat, but also due to boredom. When cats are bored, they might eat. And if there is no food in their bowl, they can bother their owner to get more food. Because they whine, may owners give them food to keep them happy.
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