Symba is beginning his journey to lose 15 pounds with the help of the Humane Rescue Alliance.
Symba has a unique characteristic that sets him apart from other felines — he is three times what a normal house cat should weigh.
While most domestic cats weigh about 10 pounds, Symba tips the scales at a whopping 35 pounds.
The cat recently had to part from his owner, who could not take him to his new assisted living facility, so the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) in Washington, D.C., took him in.
Now, the HRA is working with Symba to get him back in shape.
As luck would have it, Symba does not suffer from diabetes as a result of his obesity, but he now has to put his old lifestyle behind him to reach his goal weight of 18 to 20 pounds.
However, the HRA says it is hard for him to walk without getting out of breath, so their first obstacles are to fix his eating habits and to get him moving.
Symba is eating 2/3 of a cup of food every 12 hours through puzzles to slow his feeding. Along with his new diet, he has also begun an exercise regimen.
Because he has a hard time walking, the HRA is having Symba walk along a cat wheel for a slow and steady start.
Read: This 31-Pound Feline Lives Like a Fat Cat at Hotel, and Is a Big Hit Among Guests
A video from the organization shows the wheel spinning as Symba is cheered on by staff members urging him to take “one more step!”
The Human Rescue Alliance will be keeping their page updated on Symba’s journey.
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