Meow, a 39-pound (18kg) cat from New Mexico that got international attention in his quest to lose weight has died from apparent complications of his morbid obesity.
The orange and white tabby cat, who was between two and five years old, was taken to the Santa Fe Animal Shelter & Humane Society last month after his 87-owner could no longer take care of him.
The shelter put Meow on a diet and posted all his weigh-ins on a Facebook page. Meow had reportedly lost two pounds and was doing well when he began having breathing problems on Wednesday.
Meow underwent a battery of tests, including X-rays and a cardiac ultrasound and was put on oxygen.
Despite the shelter's best efforts, Meow died on Saturday.
Adult cats typically weigh between seven and twelve pounds.
STOMPer Catherine wrote:
"Meow's death has taught us that obesity is not something to be ignored.
"I hope his fight against obesity when he was alive will encourage people to help their pets and themselves to maintain the best health possible."
Images 1 and 2 in the gallery below are photos of Meow while the rest of the gallery features fat cats contributed by STOMPers and other fat cats around the world.
