35-Pound Cat is Finally Getting the Help He Needs to Get Fit!

Symba is a beautiful six-year-old ginger cat who recently came into the Humane Rescue Alliance after his previous owner moved to an assisted living facility and wasn’t able to bring Symba along. When Symba’s guardian explained over the phone that the cat weighed nearly 40 pounds, the staff thought he must have been overestimating.

But when Symba arrived at their adoption center, he weighed 35 pounds!

The Humane Rescue Alliance says that because of his sweet face and mellow disposition, Symba quickly became a staff favorite. Looks like this handsome boy is greatly admired!

Medical staff assessed Symba’s overall health including a blood glucose test to check for diabetes due to his obesity. Thankfully, the test came back normal! But Symba isn’t cleared quite yet with the Humane Rescue Alliance noting that “At 15 pounds heavier than his ‘goal weight’ of 18 to 20 pounds, Symba is at an increased risk of health complications.”

Now that he has relaxed at the shelter, the staff has started Symba on his weight loss journey. With it being difficult for him to walk at the moment, the staff is focusing on improving his diet and starting physical activity slowly. You can do it, Symba! 

Symba receives two-thirds of a cup of food every 12 hours and is fed out of food puzzles, to slow down his eating. Interestingly, behavior and training specialist, Lisa Stemcosky says that allowing cats to “free feed” by keeping their food bowl full throughout the day is unnatural for cats and contributes to obesity. Instead, cats prefer eating multiple small meals a day. We are certainly happy Symba is getting the proper care he deserves!

Symba is looking for his forever family that will help him continue his weight loss journey. Think you’re up for the challenge? You can meet Symba at the Humane Rescue Alliance’s adoption center in New York!

For more information on the wonderful work the Humane Rescue Alliance’s does on behalf of our four-legged (and sometimes, overweight) friends, visit their website.

And please, always adopt and never shop!

All image source: Humane Rescue Alliance