IT'S the story which has given the nation's cat lovers claws for concern.

The Evening Press exclusively introduced fat cat Zac - the mighty York moggie who weighs in at a whopping two-and-a-half stone.

The giant ginger tom - four times bigger than the average cat - has since been dubbed Mogzilla and the world's "fattest tum cat" in the national tabloids. But Zac's size has also made animal lovers "paws" for thought.

Some readers have written to express concern about the health effects of overfeeding. And vets warn that obesity in cats is a serious problem.

Battle Flatts Veterinary Clinic in Strensall and Stamford Bridge run diet classes for obese pets. They estimate one in four pets visiting their surgeries are overweight.

Head nurse Diana Stanton says the classes are like WeightWatchers, where pets are given rigorous diet regimes to follow with regular weigh-ins. Extra exercise is also recommended according to guidelines set down by the vet.

Mrs Stanton said: "You have got to drum it into owners that they are neglecting their pets by letting them get overweight."

Vet Mike Jones - whose 18-month-old cat Opal is a healthy 7.5 lbs - five times lighter than Zac - said obesity shortens animal's lives.

He said: "If they are overweight, they will get older, faster. Obesity shortens their lives and hastens the onset of diseases. Diets may seem cruel in the short term but will improve the animal's quality and quantity of life."

They advise owners always to seek the opinion of a vet before putting their pets on a diet or increasing their exercise regime. Special diet pet food is available on prescription.

But fat cat owners shun the notion of slim-line felines and say their cuddly cats are happy as they are.

Zac's owner Neville King said he did want to put his beloved 12-year-old pet on a diet, but feared it would make him miserable.

Mr King, of Dringthorpe Road, said: "It would seem very cruel to start starving him now at this stage of his life. I do feel guilty (about his size) but he seems happy enough. We don't demand much of him except being gorgeous."

And teenager Barbara Cambridge, 13, of Hemlock Avenue, Huntington, says her two cats could give Little and Large a run for their money.

Ginger tom Shandy is overweight because he steals food from fellow cat Katy. But Barbara has ruled out diets, saying: "I don't feel guilty, he's very happy."

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