A 17-kilogram (38lbs) cat so fat he could barely walk has failed in his daring escape from a pet diet centre after getting stuck in a shoe rack.
Kroshik, Russian for ‘Crumbs’, was found by staff after breaking out of his enclosure in Perm, Russia where he has been on a strict diet and exercise regime for a week.
An unfortunate photo shows the ginger tabby trapped between the bars of a shoe rack, stomach touching the ground and face pressed into a plastic surgery clog.
The ginger tabby was found by animal rescue workers living in a basement of a hospital where he lived on a rich menu of biscuits and soup.
But now Kroshik is facing a life of diets and workouts as vets try to get him down to a more healthy weight.
Rehabilitation specialist Ekaterina Bedakova says his escape bid is actually a sign that he is slowly improving.
She wrote in a Telegram post on Wednesday: ‘Kroshik… He caused a ruckus and escaped today. He’s already a very active guy.
‘He was extremely displeased when we found him disguised as slippers, but… after a portion of food, he mellowed out.’
Vets expect Crumbs’ fitness regime means he will lose between 70-150 grams every week.
The plan is for the moggie to eventually reach a much healthier 10lbs.
The fat cat got his nickname for his ability to hoover up every scrap of food but was so overweight he was unable to walk.
Vets at the city’s Matroskin Shelter even struggled to perform an ultrasound scan on the stray because of his thick layers of fat.
They told local media: ‘Kroshik’s story is an extremely rare case when someone loved a cat so much that they fed him to such a state.’
Now, the health care professionals are trying desperately to get him back on track.
Video footage from the care centre shows a distinctly fed-up-looking sourpuss being put through his paces on a treadmill.
Using a water tank to lessen the straining of his bulk on his leg joints, Crumbs is seen reluctantly jogging along on the track.
Other pictures show how his belly has been shaved to make it easier to dry following his exercise sessions.
Tabby cats vary in what can be considered a healthy weight.
Experts say between four and 4.5kg is a good ‘ideal cat weight’ in general – though this depends on the breed.
Obesity in cats can increase the risk of diabetes and other health conditions.
As a general rule, if you cannot feel your cat’s ribs, they may be overweight, vets say.