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Mega-chonky, thicc, and floofy pets might look cuddly and cute but their extra weight isn’t good for their health. Some pet owners have put their chubby cats through ameowzing transformeowtions and turned them into very happy felines.

Bored Panda has collected some of the very best pics of cats before and after their weight loss journeys to inspire you and your own pets to do the same. Scroll down, upvote your fave happy cattos, and share photos of your own pets in the comments below, dear Pandas. When you’re done petting these adorable felines through your screens, check out our earlier posts about other cats who lost a bunch of weight: Wilford, Bazooka, and Bronson.

Bored Panda spoke about cat obesity, health, and diet with Dr. Ernie Wardfounder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. “Obesity is our cats' number one health threat. Feline obesity is more than ‘chonky,’ it's a biological time bomb. Obesity in cats is a serious disease with many severe consequences such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and many forms of cancer. The worst part of feline obesity is that it reduces their life expectancy and dramatically reduces their quality of life. Cats with obesity desperately need our help.” Scroll down for the rest of our in-depth interview with Dr. Ward, as well as for our interview with the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), the UK’s leading vet charity.

#1

The Only Transformation Pic I Will Allow

The Only Transformation Pic I Will Allow

Aeributts Report

#2

Bronson's Journey To A Healthier Life. Adopted At 33 Lbs (15 Kg), Now He Weighs 19.9 Lbs (9 Kg)

Bronson's Journey To A Healthier Life. Adopted At 33 Lbs (15 Kg), Now He Weighs 19.9 Lbs (9 Kg)

boredpanda.com , iambronsoncat Report

#3

Before - Fat, Dirty, Breathing Problems, And Unable To Clean Herself. Now - Blessed And Highly Favored

Before - Fat, Dirty, Breathing Problems, And Unable To Clean Herself. Now - Blessed And Highly Favored

Intyale Report

Dr. Ward told Bored Panda that around 90 percent of a cat’s weight loss is related to diet and only 10 percent has to do with physical activity. So it’s vital that you don’t overfeed your cat.

“That's why it's so important cat owners precisely feed the correct number of calories each day. I recommend having your veterinarian assess your cat's current Body Condition Score (BCS), setting target an ideal weight, and calculating the number of calories you should feed each meal,” the pet healthcare professional said.

“I strongly encourage cat owners to weigh the food using a kitchen scale. We've done experiments with cat owners and veterinary professionals and have consistently observed that using a measuring cup isn't as accurate as needed to achieve weight loss in many cases,” Dr. Ward said.

#4

Tommy Boy Has Been Successfully Dechonked

Tommy Boy Has Been Successfully Dechonked

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#5

From Almost 20 lbs To 14 lbs. He’s A Larger Cat Than Normal But Now He’s A Lean, Large Cat

From Almost 20 lbs To 14 lbs. He’s A Larger Cat Than Normal But Now He’s A Lean, Large Cat

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#6

Rehomed This Little Big Buddy A Little Over A Year Ago. Meet Big Tony

Rehomed This Little Big Buddy A Little Over A Year Ago. Meet Big Tony

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“Even feeding as few as ten extra kibbles each day can add up to a pound of weight gain in a year for a cat. Once you get the hang of it, weighing the food takes no more time than using a measuring cup. Finally, work with your vet to adjust the diet or calories every three months if your cat isn't losing weight.”

He continued: “I've seen too many cats who were being fed the same food for months without losing weight. When I ask them why, the pet parent shrugs, ‘I'm feeding the special food my vet prescribed.’ Weight loss is a journey with many unexpected turns and hills; you must stay alert and be willing to take a different path if you're not reaching your objective.”

Dr. Ward said that exercise for cats can be very simple. For example, all it takes are three 5-minute play sessions with a laser pointer, feather duster, or new cardboard box each day.

#7

Adopted This Cute Overweight Kitty, Put Him On A Diet And After A Few Years He Had Less Than Half The Weight Of When I First Got Him

Adopted This Cute Overweight Kitty, Put Him On A Diet And After A Few Years He Had Less Than Half The Weight Of When I First Got Him

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#8

Dechonkification? Completed It

Dechonkification? Completed It

FroggoDoggo Report

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Maryam Siddiqui
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

oof these ppl are so good at helping these cats lose wait that im thinking of hiring them for me 😂

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#9

She’s Proud Of The Post-Diet Body

She’s Proud Of The Post-Diet Body

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“I also like using ‘hunter feeders’ and food puzzles to engage a cat's ‘inner predator.’ Use vertical surfaces, climbing towers, and other perches to allow your cat to climb and ‘stalk’ as much as possible. Environmental enrichment and exercise are essential for emotional and behavioral health as well as maintaining a lean body mass.”

According to Dr. Ward, cats can safely lose 1 to 3 percent of their body mass each month, as long as they’re on a vet-supervised weight loss program. “That translates to my target weight loss of about a half-pound per month for most cats. If a cat loses too much weight too quickly or is fed too little, it can develop a life-threatening form of liver failure, so be sure to work closely with your veterinarian before beginning any diet program with your cat.”

#10

This Is Amy. She’s Been Living At The Shelter For Over A Year And No One Wanted Her Because She Has Weight Issues. But I Do As Well So We’re On A Diet Together

This Is Amy. She’s Been Living At The Shelter For Over A Year And No One Wanted Her Because She Has Weight Issues. But I Do As Well So We’re On A Diet Together

She’s doing great and lost a little bit of weight already. She even plays with our other cat. Her stomach doesn’t hang on the floor anymore either and she’s always walking around the house

capri-sunnn , capri-sunnn Report

#11

Barsik Came From A Shelter At 41 lbs. He Is On A Vet-Supervised Diet And Losing Steadily

Barsik Came From A Shelter At 41 lbs. He Is On A Vet-Supervised Diet And Losing Steadily

bigbarsik , bigbarsik Report

#12

He Went From 20 To 14 Pounds

He Went From 20 To 14 Pounds

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When Bored Panda reached out to PDSA, the UK’s leading vet charity, representatives of the organization told us about the negative effects of obesity, as well as how slowly cats ought to lose weight.

“Cats love to keep their coat clean. Overweight or obese cats often struggle to reach certain areas of their body which can lead to poor grooming and knots developing in their fur,” PDSA explained. “Cats carrying extra weight often lead a less active lifestyle which can lead to further weight gain and also can contribute to poor mental health.”

They continued: “Obesity in cats can also increase the risk of certain diseases such as diabetes, liver problems (such as a fatty liver), bladder problems, and breathing problems in some breeds. Excess weight on joints can contribute to the development of arthritis.”

#13

Stan Has Successfully Dechonked At 10 Years Old. He’s Got A Long Life Ahead Of Him

Stan Has Successfully Dechonked At 10 Years Old. He’s Got A Long Life Ahead Of Him

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#14

Mister Weez Was Always My Big Chonk. After A Year Of Diet And Exercise, He’s Now My Small/Medium Chonk

Mister Weez Was Always My Big Chonk. After A Year Of Diet And Exercise, He’s Now My Small/Medium Chonk

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#15

Look At My Handsome Boy's Progress

Look At My Handsome Boy's Progress

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PDSA advises following your vet’s guidance when it comes to diet changes and going for a slow and steady weight loss program instead of one that’s rushed. “We don't want to starve our pets and quickly cutting back on their food can mean they are not eating enough nutrients to maintain a healthy balance which can be harmful,” the team over at PDSA commented.

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“Set small, realistic goals which can help reach a bigger long term goal, take pictures and compare your cat against a body condition chart looking at: 

1. Look at your cat from the side and from above. They should have a waist.

2. Feel under your cat’s tummy. It should curve in, not bulge out. 

3. Feel along your cat’s side and back. You should be able to feel their ribs, spine, and hip bones quite easily but they shouldn’t stick out. 

4. Feel the base of your cat’s tail where it meets the spine. There shouldn’t be a build-up of fat.”

For more info about keeping your pets healthy, check out PDSA’s Pet Health Hub right here.

#16

Travis’ Weight Loss Progress From 2017 To 2019

Travis’ Weight Loss Progress From 2017 To 2019

_shawna.richardson Report

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Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor kitty is taking insuline... Hope that goes away after he stabilizes.

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#17

Dechonkification Has Succeeded. We Have Reached Fine Boi

Dechonkification Has Succeeded. We Have Reached Fine Boi

TwoHeadsBetter Report

#18

My Senior Rescue Boy Went From Full Loaf To Slice Of Bread

My Senior Rescue Boy Went From Full Loaf To Slice Of Bread

When I got him he was so shy that he only came out at night. He's lost about 1.5 kg (about 3.3 pounds) since January. Went from 6.9 kg to ~5.4-5.5 kg.
Bosie (full name: Lord Alfred Pawglas, customarily addressed as "His Lordship") is a 7-year-old tabby striped calico boy who was surrendered because he couldn't cope with the addition of two babies, two other cats and a dog to the household (all in <2 years!).
Dechonking him mostly took switching him to moderated amounts of wet food with a very small portion of kibble per day in a puzzle feeder or puzzle toy.

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Currently, nearly 60 percent of all indoor cats in the United States are overweight. Carrying around a lot of excess weight has negative effects on your cat’s quality of life; they’re much happier and healthier when they’re sleek and slim. Obesity increases your cat’s risk of getting diabetes. The good news is that shedding the pounds can, in some cases, get rid of their diabetes completely.

Obese cats are also at risk of contracting feline lower urinary tract disease (aka FLUTD): losing weight, changing your cat’s diet, and helping it manage stress all help get rid of it. Meanwhile, fat cats are nearly 5 times more likely than lean felines to develop lameness.

All that extra weight can lead to a lot of other health issues. For example, fat tissue can be a source of constant inflammation throughout the body and this can lead to other diseases. All that fat tissue is also sending out stress-increasing hormones throughout your cat’s system. So even if your chonky catto seems fine, it’s best for it to drop a few pounds before real problems start showing up.

#20

So Two Years Ago The Vet Told Me Muffin Needed To Go On A Diet. Well Look At This Before And After Shot! I'm So Proud Of Her

So Two Years Ago The Vet Told Me Muffin Needed To Go On A Diet. Well Look At This Before And After Shot! I'm So Proud Of Her

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Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Again. I. Must. Pet. Don't. Care. About. Scratches! That belly!

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#21

A Reformed Chonker

A Reformed Chonker

Basically my granny was this cat's owner until she died in 2018 (Mitzi was very overweight when my granny adopted her as it was believed she was a stray had been fed by students) and since then Mitzi had unfortunately been stuck going in and out of the shelter for a while and making quite a few headlines and never quite meeting the right owner. Due to a lucky coincidence, a family member of mine who had originally wanted to adopt her in the first place moved into accommodation where pets were allowed at a time Mitzi was back at the shelter and they adopted her finally this year. She's been slowly losing weight and as you can see she's a lot better now! She will never look as slim as she weighs unfortunately due to her excess skin but she's in a much healthier place than before and her temperament has improved dramatically!

WoodsideAnimalSanctuary , Grace10193 Report

The best, overarching reason for keeping your cat slim is longevity. Pets that aren’t obese lead longer, healthier lives. So you’ll have the pleasure of being ignored by your cat far longer if you don’t overfeed it. And remember—it’s not just about losing weight, it’s about keeping it off.

Speaking of overfeeding, clinical nutrition professor Megan Shepherd from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine told NPR that there are plenty of owners that struggle with not giving their pets too much food.

“It's not hard to overfeed them in a 'food is love' culture,” Shepherd said.

#22

Chunky To Hunky. Down 7 Pounds Since Coming Home

Chunky To Hunky. Down 7 Pounds Since Coming Home

GeneticCoder23 Report

#23

Pinky The Hutt Lost The Weight Chasing A Pupper Around

Pinky The Hutt Lost The Weight Chasing A Pupper Around

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#24

My Cat Lost Half Her Weight Over 12 Years

My Cat Lost Half Her Weight Over 12 Years

silversquirl Report

#26

Mama Was A Stray Cat Who Found Us About 5 Years Ago. She Was A Very Overweight Cat. Even In Animals Diet Is Key

Mama Was A Stray Cat Who Found Us About 5 Years Ago. She Was A Very Overweight Cat. Even In Animals Diet Is Key

trainer_wendy Report

#27

"I'm Sorry Ladies, I Know Dere's Less To Love But Don't Worry, I Still Gots Sum Rolls Leftover In Dis Belleh"

"I'm Sorry Ladies, I Know Dere's Less To Love But Don't Worry, I Still Gots Sum Rolls Leftover In Dis Belleh"

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#28

Miracle Used To Be So Chunky

Miracle Used To Be So Chunky

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Linda HS
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a pretty boyii! And what a pretty tail he's got!🥰

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#29

Cinderblock Has Been Training On The Underwater Treadmill Like A Champ

Cinderblock Has Been Training On The Underwater Treadmill Like A Champ

boredpanda.com , northshore_vet Report

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nanashi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm never going to forget that video of Cinderblock yelling while in her underwater treadmill

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#30

From Heckin Hefty Chonk To Small Chonk. Proud Of Her Dechonkin' Progress

From Heckin Hefty Chonk To Small Chonk. Proud Of Her Dechonkin' Progress

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#31

Danni DeVito's Weight Loss Progress

Danni DeVito's Weight Loss Progress

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#32

18 Pounds To A Healthy 11. Still Whines For Food Constantly

18 Pounds To A Healthy 11. Still Whines For Food Constantly

I rescued her at 18 pounds. Her previous owner just left dry food out for her 24/7 because she would whine when her food bowl was slightly empty. She's a very chatty cat

ydnarim Report

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Tracey Hirt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had to put my kitty on a diet as well. He will spend all day trying to convince you that he is STARVING!

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#33

Meatball Baby, Before And After Rescue. Her Real Name Is Gracie Sue

Meatball Baby, Before And After Rescue. Her Real Name Is Gracie Sue

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#34

10 Months In His Forever Home, And This 14 Year Old Is Down 3 Pounds

10 Months In His Forever Home, And This 14 Year Old Is Down 3 Pounds

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#35

After Losing 17% Of Her Bodyweight, Amber Became Less Sleepy And More Interested In Playing

After Losing 17% Of Her Bodyweight, Amber Became Less Sleepy And More Interested In Playing

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#36

Fat Cat Mr Pickles Has Lost Almost Half His Body Weight After We Put Him On A Special Diet

Fat Cat Mr Pickles Has Lost Almost Half His Body Weight After We Put Him On A Special Diet

scottishspca Report

#37

Before And After: One Of Our 14-Year-Old Cats, Lunchbox, Now Weighs Half Of The Weight She Was When She Came To Our Sanctuary

Before And After: One Of Our 14-Year-Old Cats, Lunchbox, Now Weighs Half Of The Weight She Was When She Came To Our Sanctuary

NTX_cat_rescue Report

#38

Before And After, Almost Two Years Between

Before And After, Almost Two Years Between

TLService Report

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#39

Weight Loss Journey, Before And After (He Was Neglected Before Being Brought To The Shelter)

Weight Loss Journey, Before And After (He Was Neglected Before Being Brought To The Shelter)

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#40

Molly's Transformation - 14.5 lbs To 10.3 lbs. Thought You Guys Would Appreciate Her Hard Work

Molly's Transformation - 14.5 lbs To 10.3 lbs. Thought You Guys Would Appreciate Her Hard Work

leannemitsu Report

#41

Logan Here Has Had To Go On A Special Prescription Diet That Bulked Him Up To Almost 21 lbs. Now He's Down To A Slim 15 lbs

Logan Here Has Had To Go On A Special Prescription Diet That Bulked Him Up To Almost 21 lbs. Now He's Down To A Slim 15 lbs

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#42

After I Was Told My Cat Was Obese, I Put Her On A Diet. She's Looking A Lot Healthier

After I Was Told My Cat Was Obese, I Put Her On A Diet. She's Looking A Lot Healthier

bicuriousdolphin Report

#43

Here's Bo's Progress - 28 To 20 lbs. I Almost Can't Believe His Transformation

Here's Bo's Progress - 28 To 20 lbs. I Almost Can't Believe His Transformation

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#44

Pete The Cat, Lost 8 lbs

Pete The Cat, Lost 8 lbs

MrsClarkKent Report

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Perfumista Perfumista
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

handsome. realise it could just be the light in his eyes, but is he getting enough meat protein? cats that don't can get enlarged pupils and vision problems.

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#45

We Are So Proud Of Our Good Boy. He's Gone From The Heavy Breathing Meme To An Energetic, Happy Boy

We Are So Proud Of Our Good Boy. He's Gone From The Heavy Breathing Meme To An Energetic, Happy Boy

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#47

Former Chonker Getting In Shape, She Looks As Proud As Us

Former Chonker Getting In Shape, She Looks As Proud As Us

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#48

Before And After - Slow Churn To Slim Fast

Before And After - Slow Churn To Slim Fast

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#50

My Girl’s Slow Dechonkification. 17.5 lbs Down To 14.9 lbs

My Girl’s Slow Dechonkification. 17.5 lbs Down To 14.9 lbs

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Note: this post originally had 51 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.