30-pound cat nicknamed ‘Thicken Nugget’ is swimming his way to his goal weight after being surrendered

Alyssa Guzman
·3 min read
14
Ty - aka
Ty - aka

It’s the purr-fect weight-loss plan!

A 30-pound cat named Ty is swimming laps in an effort to lose 15 pounds after he was surrendered to Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville, Indiana in January.

“Weighing in at 30 pounds, our biggest concern is his thoracic spine and the overall toll his weight is having on his body,” the Humane Society said in February.

To help the portly pussycat slim down, Ty — affectionately nicknamed “Thicken Nugget” — started taking water therapy classes at the Canine Aquatic Center in February, where he swims twice a week and has already lost three pounds as of early this month,

April 3.

“He has a long road ahead, but we’re optimistic that this therapy will help,” the animal welfare organization said.

A 30-pound cat named Ty is swimming laps in an effort to lose 15 pounds after he was surrendered to Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville, Indiana – nearly three hours South of Indianapolis – in January. Canine Aquatic Center/Facebook
A 30-pound cat named Ty is swimming laps in an effort to lose 15 pounds after he was surrendered to Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville, Indiana – nearly three hours South of Indianapolis – in January. Canine Aquatic Center/Facebook

The ideal weight for a cat varies from breed to breed, but most adult male housecats should weigh around 11 to 15 pounds, according to Purina.

A single pound of extra weight on a kitty is equivalent to 15 pounds on a 5’4″ woman, the pet food brand said.

“A lot of people think it’s cute when it’s like that Garfield-type cat, but it’s not cute. Ty’s quality of life is affected at this point, so we want to give him a good quality of life,” Mackenzee McKittrick, of Vanderburgh Humane Society, told WEHT, who said the extra weight is already affecting his joints.

To help the feline get ready for summer, Ty – who is affectionately nickname is “Thicken Nugget” – began taking water therapy classes as the Canine Aquatic Center in February, where he swims twice a week and already lost three pounds as of early this month. Canine Aquatic Center/Facebook
To help the feline get ready for summer, Ty – who is affectionately nickname is “Thicken Nugget” – began taking water therapy classes as the Canine Aquatic Center in February, where he swims twice a week and already lost three pounds as of early this month. Canine Aquatic Center/Facebook

Despite Ty hating his first time in the water like a typical cat, the Humane Society is positive it will help keep him in good health.

Since Ty has adjusted to his new regimen, the “chonky cat” has developed into “quite the swimmer,”

, even swimming across the pool by himself.

The “sweet boy” wears a little black lifejacket while he swims around the pool as fast as his paws can paddle, closely following his human trainer.

Since Ty has adjusted to his new regimen, the “chonky cat” has developed into “quite the swimmer,” according to the Canine Aquatic Center, even swimming across the pool by himself. Canine Aquatic Center/Facebook
Since Ty has adjusted to his new regimen, the “chonky cat” has developed into “quite the swimmer,” according to the Canine Aquatic Center, even swimming across the pool by himself. Canine Aquatic Center/Facebook

“He tries to protest it first, but he swims so well and he gets out and just walks around like he owns the place. I think he actually kind of likes it deep down,” Laura Novack, of the Canine Aquatic Center, told WEHT.

Ty is looking for a forever home, but his new owners will have to “adhere to his diet and exercise restrictions,” McKittrick told the local outlet.

Until then, the Humane Society is hoping to get him down to 15 pounds before placing him up for adoption.