Sheffield kitty named ‘Top Cat’ in national pet slimming competition

Seven -year-old cat Bournville weighed-in at a whopping 9.55kg - 59% over his ideal weight of 6kg.

After PDSA vets warned that his health was at serious risk from his excess pounds, Bournville’s concerned owner cut out his excess food and increased his exercise. He has now shed the pounds, impressing Pet Fit Club judges with his trimmer 8.5kg (1st 5lb) figure.

Every year vet charity PDSA helps the UK’s fattest pets battle the bulge in Pet Fit Club - a six-month diet and exercise challenge, specially tailored and overseen by its vets and nurses.

Bournville’s owner Carla Wood (52) admitted that her cat’s love of a high calorie cat food led him to pile on the pounds.

His love of food also led to several mishaps over the years – he once helped himself to a chocolate chip muffin.

Carla said: “I’m really pleased with the progress Bournville has made. Six months down the line and he’s a completely different cat.

“Before he started losing weight people would do a double take - they thought he was too big and pudgy to be a real cat. He was very lethargic, but he’s got so much more energy now. He can easily jump on the furniture now, something he wouldn’t have even attempted before.

“We’re going to stick his new diet until he is down to his ideal weight.”