A fat Russian cat who is not the biggest fan of diets is proving to be very relatable in his struggle to shed his extra pounds.
Kroshik, which translates in English to “Little Baby” or “Crumbs” is anything but little thanks to receiving a little too much love at his old home. While he’s still cute as ever, his body is struggling to function under all the extra chub, something the Matroskin Shelter in Perm, Russia intends to fix.
The massive orange feline weighed in at a whopping 38 pounds when the Matroskin Shelter took him in, a whole 28 pounds heavier than the average house cat’s weight. A Maine Coon cat may be closer to 25 pounds but, well, Kroshik isn’t fooling anyone into believing he is just a “big-boned” breed.
‘Long and painstaking recovery’ ahead for Kroshik
“He could be one of the five fattest cats in the world, but the only thing he wants is to learn to walk again,” a post shared by the shelter and translated from Russian says.
The rescue said it couldn’t even complete a total health assessment on Kroshik, as his layers of fat prevented its ultrasound machine sensors from working.
Kroshik has a “long and painstaking recovery,” the shelter said. Luckily, his volunteers have a plan.
Kroshik is participating in a specially-designed weight loss program, with the goal of losing about 2.5 to 5.3 ounces a week. He is living in a rehabilitation center, where he receives special diet food, medical oversight, hydrotherapy and walks on the treadmill.
Does he love diet and exercise? Well, it certainly doesn’t look like it, but let’s be honest, no one does. Despite Kroshik’s apparent disdain for the program, it is working – he recently weighed in at 32 pounds.
Six pounds down, only about 20 to go, but if Kroshik can do it, anyone can.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch as very chubby cat goes on one heck of a weight loss journey
