An obese cat, weighing as much as a child, wasrescuedfrom thebasementof a Russian hospital last week.

Kroshik—which translates to “Crumbs”—weighed 17 kg (38 pounds)when he was found in Perm.

The large feline’s diet consisted of crackers, soup, and meat.

He was taken to the city’s Matroskin Center. The shelter said that Kroshik was so overweight that he was unable to walk.

HighlightsAn obese cat, weighing 38 pounds, was rescued from a Russian hospital basement.Kroshik was so overweight that he couldn’t walk, and vets struggled to perform an ultrasound.Matroskin Center is rehabilitating Kroshik with a rigorous exercise and diet plan, including hydrotherapy and kinesiotherapy.

Vets struggled to perform an ultrasound scan on thestray catbecause the thick layer of fat on his body obstructed the sensor’s view.

RELATED:

An overfed cat weighing 17 kg (38 pounds) was found in the basement of a hospital in Perm, Russia

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Image credits:matroskin_prm

“Kroshik’s story is an extremely rare case when someone loved a cat so much that they fattened him to such a state that the cat cannot even move,”rescuers wrote on Instagramalong with a picture of the feline on August 30.

In the post, the Matroskin Center announced that it housed the cat at a rehabilitation center, where he is undergoing physical exercises and being put on a strict diet to get back to a healthy weight.

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

According toPetMD, domestic cats should weigh between 3.5 and 5 kg (8-12 pounds).

One exception is the Maine Coon, a large breed that may have a healthy weight of up to 9 kg (20 pounds).

Carrying excess weight makes cats much more likely to develop diabetes, urinary disease, and arthritis and to have a decreased life expectancy, the pet health site explains.

Age affects afeline’sweight gain. As they grow older, most cats put on excess pounds due to their changing metabolism and a more sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, it’s important to consult your veterinarian to ensure your cat maintains a healthy weight.

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Last Friday (September 6), the Matroskin Centershared a videoof Kroshik walking on a water treadmill.

Thecenter said the ginger cat is “learning to walk again,” and he will have a “long and thorough” recovery.

The program includes hydrotherapy and kinesiotherapy 3-4 times a week. Thanks to these exercises, Kroshik is expected to lose 70 to 150 grams weekly.

The complete rehabilitation will cost the shelter 30,000 rubles ($330). On social media, they are asking for donations from anyone who can contribute to Kroshik’s recovery.

Kroshik was taken to a rehabilitation center, where he was put on a strict diet and is “learning to walk again” on a water treadmill

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

People were thrilled to learn about Kroshik slowly regaining the use of his legs.

“What a good-looking little fella! I believe in his success and transfer help,” an Instagram user wrote.

A third added: “Poor cat, how good it was to be saved from imminent death in the basement; he is completely defenseless in such a state; quick rehabilitation to Kroshik!”

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Frosty, who weighed 28.5 pounds (13 kg), was brought to the Richmond Animal Care and Control shelter after he was found in the street.

“We put him on a strict low-calorie diet, and he wasn’t too happy about that,” shelter director Christie Peters told theWashington Post.

“Because he was cranky, we just kept telling him he’ll feel a lot better when he loses weight.”

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

In 2020, another cat weighing over 35 pounds (16 kg) was taken to ashelterafter his owner, who had dementia, passed away.

Kroshik’s recovery will be “long and thorough,” the center said

View this post on Instagram

To keep your cat at a healthy weight, measure out and provide specific meals.

It is also recommended to have 20-minute play sessions with them a few times a day.

Lastly, give your pet treats in moderation. Even if your cat loves them and you think they deserve them, treats are usually not nutritionally complete and balanced and can quickly add up in extra calories.

“Hope he finds a good home and is back in shape quickly!” a Facebook user wrote

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger

Giant Cat “Crumb” That Weighs Nearly 40 lb Was Rescued From Russian Basement, Sparks Anger You May Like50 Funny Cat Memes To Brighten Up Your Day If The World Feels Like A Cat-astrophe Right Now (New Pics)Justinas Keturka50 Hilarious Animals Who Lost The Plot And Got Caught Going “Goblin Mode” (New Pics)Indrė Lukošiūtė50 Cats That May Leave You Laughing So Hard You’ll Forget All Your Worries For A Minute (New Pics)Greta Jaruševičiūtė

Justinas Keturka

Indrė Lukošiūtė

Greta Jaruševičiūtė

Animals