Cat at Indiana Shelter Is Taking Water Aerobics in an Effort to Slim Down
If you love cats, like I do, you are probably sort of fond of large orange ones. There's just something absolutely adorable about an overweight orange cat (We are looking at you, Garfield) but we also all know it's not healthy for a cat to be obese, especially if we want them to live a long, happy and healthy life.
Well, one group who also realizes this are the amazing people at the Vanderburgh Humane Society out of Evansville, Indiana are doing everything they can to help this chonky baby drop the pounds!
Just check out Ty doing his laps in the pool! So many people are applauding this big boy, and the comments are absolutely hilarious. One person said, "Haaaalp! Downing, starbin’ haaaallp!" LOL! Another added a very important question with, "That seems fun. How did you get a cat in the water?"
Related: Indiana Shelter Creates Viral 'Pre-Owned Pets' Campaign for Animal Adoptions
Before we dive (See what I did there?) into this very important question, the shelter explains that Ty is swimming twice a week, is much more mobile and down from 30 pounds to 26.8 He’s even swimming across the pool all by himself. Amazing! If you want to help your own cat to slim down, in addition to a reduced calorie diet and lots of fun playtime, here are some helpful tips.
How To Teach a Cat To Swim
Most cats are not natural swimmers or big fans of water. A lot of cats can become stressed or anxious when you try to bathe them or have them swim, so the most important thing to remember is that you should never force a cat into water. If your cat seems curious or is okay with getting wet, you can proceed as follows.
You want to make the experience as pleasant and as stress-free as possible for your cat. Use positive reinforcement and treats when they approach the water. You also want to make sure the water isn't too hot or cold, and is at a moderate temperature.
Support your cat gently while they are in the water, using your hands to support their body and guide their movements. You should also use a life vest like Ty above if your cat is swimming in fresh water or a pool. You can find cat life vests at a lot of retailers including here.
Always supervise your cat while in the water and never leave them alone. If your cat seems stressed or uncomfortable, take them out of the water and try again later.
It may require a lot of patience (and treats!) but your cat may be a water baby in no time!
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