Dundee cat twice its ideal weight bidding for pet slimming contest

A Dundee cat more than double its ideal weight is competing for a place in a UK wide pet slimming contest.

10.year-old Sox - who struggles to make it up the stairs - currently stands at nearly two stone.

He's looking to book his place in PSDA's pet fit club competition.

Sox's owner Stephanie Cowan adopted him from a rescue centre when he was just a few weeks old.

She said: Sox doesn't have a massive appetite but his weight has gradually crept up over the years.

When you see them every day it's difficult to notice when they're getting bigger, but we know that he's a lot slower and less energetic than he was this time last year.

Sox is an indoor cat and doesn't get out much, so he doesn't get much exercise and I am concerned about his increasing weight.

We have another cat named Finn who has a massive appetite, but Finn weighs much less than Sox. I always measure their food portions out and try not to overfeed them, but I am worried and just want Sox to be healthy.

Sox is such a huge part of our family. He has helped my daughter through some very difficult times in her life and we would be lost without him. I want to help him lose weight so he can spend many more years enjoying life.''

PDSA vet Theodora Stefanou said: Sox is quite a way off his ideal weight so we are obviously concerned about his health. It's good that Stephanie recognises that he needs to lose weight and we are pleased that she has already made changes to his diet.

She is committed to helping him and with the right support and choices, I'm confident that he will reach a healthy weight.''

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