World's fattest cat is dead: that's how much he weighed

Perm (Russia) - Great sadness for "Kroshik" (meaning "crumb")! The world's fattest cat has died.

The sad news was shared on Instagram by the "Matroskin" cat rehabilitation center in Perm, Russia. Before it ended up there, the animal, which was over twelve years old, weighed a whopping 17 kilograms.

The reason: "Kroshik" probably became obese because he lived in the basement of a hospital for a long time and was fed unhealthy food such as cookies and soups by various staff and patients.

At some point, the stray and overweight cat ended up at the animal shelter. Staff recognized the problem and got the animal a place in a rehabilitation clinic.

There, the animal keepers and vets put together a strict diet plan for the fluffy, overweight cat and prescribed lots of exercise and massage sessions. Initially with success: "Kroshik" lost three kilos after just a few weeks, weighing "only" just under 14 kilos.

He seemed to be slowly getting better.

At the weekend, the cat's health suddenly deteriorated. Kroshik" was admitted to the veterinary clinic with breathing difficulties and was even placed in the oxygen chamber. All internal organs such as the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and bladder were affected, the rehabilitation center wrote in an article.

The fat cat, who gained huge notoriety on Instagram due to his weight, died just a short time later. "According to doctors, Kroshik had several growths in his spleen and metastases in other internal organs," the rehab center said.

These were only discovered shortly before his death. Due to his obesity, a precise ultrasound examination had not been possible beforehand.

Fans who had followed "Kroshik's" journey are now mourning the loss of their internet idol. "The little one leaves behind a heavy earthly body and is now walking on light clouds," mused one user on Instagram.