A chubby Dundee cat is battling for the title of the UK’s biggest pet weight loser.
Zorro who is among 17 of the UK’s podgiest pets taking part in PDSA’s annual slimming competition known as the Pet Fit Club has a whopping 63cm waist and is almost double the size it should be, weighing a hefty 9.4kg.
His devoted owner, Linda Petrie, 51, has been known to get out the baby wipes to help clean her furry friend as he has become so overweight he struggles to groom himself properly.
The three-year-old gigantic ginger feline enjoys spending his days lazing around and eating his favourite cheese and onion crisps when he can.
Ms Petrie said: “I’ve tried everything to get him to lose weight, but he’s so greedy and crafty. He knows how to open the door to the kitchen and goes searching for food.
“Zorro is a house cat, as his previous owners had never let him outside and I live by a railway line so I wouldn’t want to risk letting him out.”
Things are set to change for Zorro and the other competitors including two roly-poly rabbits from Aberdeen and a mega moggy from Glasgow as they are following a new diet and exercise programme specially tailored for them by PDSA vets and nurses.
“Zorro’s a beautiful cat and I hope PDSA Pet Fit Club helps him to lose weight because I’m worried about him,” Linda added.
Andy Cage, senior veterinary surgeon at Dundee Pet Aid hospital, said: “Obesity is one of the biggest welfare issues affecting pets in the UK today.
“Sadly, it also means millions of pets are at risk from potentially life-threatening health problems related to obesity.”
PDSA Pet Fit Club was launched in 2005 and has already helped 57 dogs, 24 cats and three rabbits lose weight.