Overweight cat reminds owners to keep pets healthy
Aug 13, 2013, 5:00 AM | Updated: 5:00 am
PHOENIX — Maricopa County Animal Care and Control is reminding pet owners about the dangers of obesity after the department took in a cat weighing 28 pounds last week.
“Part of adopting Albert is making sure that you help him lose some weight,” Melissa Gable said.
The declawed and neutered domestic short hair cat came in as a stray from the Chandler area. After some blood work, he has been found to be free of any health issues.
Gable believes he used to be someone’s pet and was overfed.
Due to his size, the cat has difficulty walking, grooming and using the litter box, according to a press release from MCACC.
A survey conducted in 2012 by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 52.5 percent of dogs and 58.3 percent of cats are considered overweight or obese.
Gable said that serious weight-related disorders can be involved, including diabetes and osteoarthritis.
Albert is being taken care of at the West Valley shelter. He is available for adoption now. For more information call 602-506-7387.
