Sweet Narwhal arrived at the San Francisco SPCA severely obese. Tipping the scales at 27 pounds, she was almost three times the weight of an average cat. The extra pounds put pressure on her joints, and she was unable to move freely, clean herself, climb inside a litter box, or play. Despite her discomfort, she purred loudly with every pet and cuddle.
Our Shelter Medicine team put Narwhal on one of our most unusual weight-loss plans: a new diet, several medications, and weekly workouts on an underwater treadmill. This form of exercise is ideal for gradually and gently losing weight and helps prevent further health complications.
Today, Narwhal’s troubles are water under the bridge. Sunny and Olivia, her faithful foster parents and unofficial swimming coaches, fell in love with Narwhal and her fighting spirit. So, this water baby’s story ends with a heartwarming foster fail.
Looking for your pet soulmate?
If you’re ready to welcome a furry friend into your heart, look no further than the SF SPCA. Visit sfspca.org/adoptions to meet our dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens who can’t wait to find their forever homes.
This story originally appeared in the fall 2024 issue of Our Animals magazine. Download a copy to read more.