Fat cat's 'feline fine' by swimming to lose weight

Moses began his hydrotherapy treatment to lose weight earlier this year

A lazy cat that weighed almost 10kg (22lb) is "feline fine" after starting swimming lessons to shed a few pounds.

Nine-year-old Moses started his weight-loss journey by undergoing hydrotherapy and in six weeks he has lost nearly 1kg (2.2lbs)

Despite being on a controlled diet and taking exercise, Moses weighed in at 9.7kg (21.3lbs) before the treatment at Avonvale Veterinary Centre in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.

His owner Jenna Joshi, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, said Moses had always been a big cat but had gained a lot of weight over the last three years.

“I’d been keeping him on a strict diet but this didn’t help at all," she said.

"He just was not interested in going outside, exercising or playing with toys."

Jenna Joshi said she was proud of Moses

Ms Joshi, a clinical nursing manager at Avonvale, said she sought help from her colleagues who suggested hydrotherapy.

“I could see a difference almost straight away. After his first hydro session he came through the cat flap, which he hadn’t done in a long time,” she said.

“We are still having regular weight checks, still doing hydrotherapy and making good progress.

"It was difficult at first but now he doesn’t complain and knows exactly what he needs to do when he goes for his sessions.”

'Cats don't like water'

Olivia Stokes, Avonvale’s veterinary hydrotherapist, said she had been in the industry for five years and had never seen a cat in the water before.

“That is because cats don't usually like water and, sure enough, on his first taster session Moses was not impressed at all," she said.

"He needed a lot of encouragement as he resisted the treatment."

But Moses started getting used to it after he had been walking on the treadmill for 13 minutes she added water

“Fast forward down the line and Moses now sits in the tank as I increase the water level, then knows exactly what to do,” she said.

Olivia Stokes said Moses' treatment was very unusual

Ms Joshi said she was very proud of his progression and happy she had been able to help him.

“He is also a lot more active at home and generally feeling much better in himself,” she said.