Heavy cat Crumbs no more: The weight loss journey of world's fattest feline will break your heart

Meet Kroshik, the feline heavyweight who stole so many hearts and made headlines as he embarked on a weight-loss journey, but that’s equal parts adorable and tragic. The Russian tabby, affectionately nicknamed “Crumbs,” was living large at a staggering 38 pounds (17 kgs)? when he was rescued from the basement of a Perm hospital, where the staff had spoiled him with a rather peculiar diet of cookies, soup, and even whiskey.

Crumbs weight loss journey

This hefty kitty, whose name translates to “little baby” in English, was anything but little. He was so oversized that even the shelter’s ultrasound machine struggled to assess his health due to the layers of fluff surrounding his body. But despite his impressive size, Crumbs had the spirit of a warrior and a goal: to shed those extra pounds and learn to walk again. And let’s be real; if a cat that weighs as much as a small dog can inspire us to get moving, we’re here for it.

Weight loss program of Crumbs

The Matroskin Shelter in Russia took Kroshik under its wing, pledging to help him embark on a “long and painstaking recovery.” They launched a specially designed weight-loss program, aiming for him to lose about 2.5 to 5.3 ounces per week. It was a slow start, but with a strict diet of specially formulated food, medical supervision, hydrotherapy, and treadmill workouts, Crumbs was on the path to transformation. His volunteers were excited to share that he had lost six pounds—progress that lit up the internet and gave hope to cat lovers everywhere. If he could do it, maybe we could finally hit the gym too!

Crumbs passed away

But just as it seemed that Crumbs was on his way to a healthier life, the unthinkable happened. Despite his determination and the dedicated care he received, he developed sudden health issues that couldn’t be ignored. A few weeks after his weight-loss journey began, he tragically passed away due to cancerous tumours that were hidden beneath his layers of fat.

Crumbs’ shelter caretakers were devastated. They had monitored his health closely, but the signs of illness were elusive. As one spokesperson noted, “Cats always hold on to the last; they do not show this disease.” Despite showing no symptoms, the underlying issues led to multiple organ failure, proving that sometimes, even the most dedicated efforts can’t change fate.

And now Crumbs became a reminder that love is not just about food but about health and well-being. As the Matroskin Shelter staff shared, “Thank you for being the reason why Kroshik believed in good people.”

Crumbs’ story serves as a reminder of the dangers of overfeeding our furry friends. In a world where pets often receive too much love in the form of treats, Crumbs was an extreme case of excessive love leading to excessive feeding.