Losing more than fur

Overweight Hazel is too much of an armful for SPCA vet Shalsee Vigeant, and will have to slash her 7.26kg body weight. Photo / Doug Sherring

Fat cat Hazel is a pet with a plan. And she needs an owner willing to help her stick to it.

The seven-year-old moggy needs a new home because her elderly owner has moved into a nursing home.

But the SPCA is stipulating her new owners stick to a diet plan designed to slash the morbidly obese cat's weight by half.

SPCA Auckland's veterinary manager, Dr Shalsee Vigeant, said Hazel was "sweet and affectionate", but needed an owner who would enforce her strict diet plan - which involves a cat food designed to control hunger - and give her regular vet checks.

Hazel weighed 7.26kg when she arrived at the SPCA almost two weeks ago, and was immediately put on a diet.

"She was grossly overweight and could no longer groom herself properly," Vigeant said. "An overweight cat can suffer from a range of health problems. These can lead to an early death and certainly a poor quality of life."