Cat in a flap over expanding waistline (From The Northern Echo)

Cat in a flap over expanding waistline

3:07pm Friday 15th February 2008 in News

A PORTLY pussycat who put on so much weight he got stuck in his own cat-flap has been placed on a low-calorie diet.

Sooty, who lives in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, with his owner Molly Oliver, had to be wrenched free when he became lodged in the standard-sized cat-flap last week.

Vets have warned Ms Oliver, 68, that unless Sooty sheds at least one third of his massive two-stone bulk, he could be risking health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Ms Oliver, who has had six-year-old Sooty since he was a kitten, says he is fed no more than any ordinary cat, and blames over-generous locals for his expanding waistline.

"He's always been a big cat," she said. "He loves meat and I just give him normal-sized portions, but I think that he must be getting fed elsewhere as well."

Now, Sooty is forbidden meat and has to make to with a diet of dried biscuits instead. "He's not too happy about the new diet," said Ms Oliver. "When I feed him he gives me a plaintive look as if to say, 'how can I possibly live on that?,' but I am determined he's going to shed some pounds."

She added: "I hope that those who feed other people's cats learn from this - they may think they are just being indulgent but it can actually do serious harm.

"He's due for a weigh-in at the vets in a few weeks time. I just hope he's managed to slim down a bit by then."