Meet Himmy, the world’s heaviest domesticated feline, who weighed in at an astonishing 46 pounds 15.5 ounces (21.3 kg). Despite her massive size, Himmy’s story raises concerns about pet owners overfeeding their cats to break records.
In 1986, Himmy the cat set a record that still stands today as the heaviest domestic feline ever recorded. Weighing in at an astonishing 46 pounds 15.5 ounces (21.3 kg) , Himmy’s massive size made it difficult for her to move around on her own.
The Story of Himmy
Himmy was owned by Thomas Vyse of Australia and held the Guinness World Records title for the fattest cat in the world until the organization decided to discontinue this record in 1998. The reason behind this decision was to discourage pet owners from overfeeding their cats in an attempt to break Himmy’s record.
Guinness World Records is a reference book that has been documenting human achievements and record-breaking feats since 1955.
The first edition was published by Sir Hugh Beaver, the then-managing director of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland.
The idea for the book came from a conversation about what game bird was the 'fastest.'
The book's popularity grew over the years, and it is now published annually in over 20 languages.
According to Guinness World Records, there are over 40,000 records across various categories, including human endeavors, animal achievements, and incredible feats.
Other Fattest Cats
While Himmy holds the record, there are other domestic felines that have been dubbed the world’s fattest cat by news outlets. Let’s take a look at some of these cats and their stories:
The Maine Coon is a domesticated cat breed native to North America.
It originated in the state of 'Maine' , where it was highly valued for its distinctive physical appearance and hunting skills.
The breed's name is derived from its place of origin.
Maine Coons are known for their large size, with males weighing up to 25 pounds.
They have a muscular build, long flowing coat, and a bushy tail.
Their coat comes in various colors and patterns, including solid, tabby, and tortoiseshell.
- Crumbs: Weighing about 37 pounds (16.8 kilograms) at his heaviest, Crumbs was treated for cancerous tumors growing on his spleen and other internal organs due to his weight.
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Patches: Patches’ weight hit 42 pounds (19.1 kilograms) , prompting his owners to surrender him to a pet shelter in Virginia. With the help of Dr. Meaghan Goodwin, Patches started to drop weight at a slow but steady rate.
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Barsik: A constant supply of wet and dry food led to Barsik’s weight gain, which was eventually addressed by Meredith Adams and a team of veterinarians.
Cat Breeds Prone to Excess Weight
As these cats illustrate, even the strongest cats can be at risk of obesity and damage to multiple organs without the proper diet and exercise. Some domestic cat breeds are more prone to gaining weight, including:
There are over 70 recognized cat breeds worldwide, each with unique physical and temperamental characteristics.
Some popular breeds include the Siamese, known for its striking blue eyes and short coat, and the Persian, famous for its long, fluffy fur.
Other notable breeds include the Maine Coon, one of the largest domesticated breeds, and the Sphynx, a hairless breed with a sleek, wrinkled skin.
Cat breeds can be divided into several categories based on their size, coat type, and body shape.
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Manx: Known for their sturdy build, Manx cats can easily become overweight if not monitored closely.
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Maine coon: One of the largest domesticated breeds, Maine coons require a balanced diet and regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
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Birman: With their beautiful coat patterns, Birmans are prone to obesity if not fed a nutritious diet and provided with plenty of exercise opportunities.
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American shorthair: This breed’s compact size can lead to weight gain if they don’t receive adequate physical activity.
- howstuffworks.com | Fattest Cat in the World Weighed More Than a 4 Year Old Child
