Smokey tops fat-cat scrap

TE PUKE - They don't come much bigger than Smokey, the eight-year-old black cat from Te Puke who weighs in at 14.8kg.

Even New Zealand's official fat cat, 12.9kg Fluff from New Plymouth, is some way off matching Smokey's generous proportions.

A cat food company found Fluff in a search for New Zealand's fattest cat - but that title has been challenged at least twice by owners of monstrous moggies.

Smokey was always big - probably the result of being fed egg and milk as a kitten, according to his owner, retired seaman Norman Owen.

The cat likes his food, but is restricted to two meals a day of cat biscuits and tinned cat food. Twice a week he is given a chicken neck to chew to keep his teeth in good order and about once a year he is taken to the vet for a general check-up.

His weight was confirmed by the Te Puke Veterinary Centre, where a spokeswoman said Mr Owen had been advised to put Smokey on a diet.

But the owner growled at the thought.

"Why put him on a diet? He should be allowed to live his life. He's in good condition, his fur is nice and shiny, and he's happy and healthy."

Smokey has quite an undercarriage, which restricts his entering his cat door. But Mr Owen solved that problem with a ramp which the cat walks up before stepping on to a block inside the door. He can still get on the couch to sit next to Mr Owen for a cuddle, and although he has given up hunting, he occasionally stalks birds "just to keep his hand in." - NZPA