A weight loss journey can be exhausting and taxing. Additionally, more often than not, most people would not describe it as fun. Luckily, for one overweight cat, her mother put a lot of thought into how she would help her shed the pounds. After realizing that her beloved cat had become significantly overweight, this college student came up with a creative way to help her lose weight: a kitty obstacle course.
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College Student Builds Obstacle Course For Her Overweight Cat

COVID-19 had everyone stuck at home, and one thing that most of us tend to do more of when we are home is eat. I cannot tell you how many of my friends admitted that they ate out of boredom more than hunger. Apparently, that was not a trait or habit that was exclusive to humans.
Chester the cat was thrilled that her family was home all of the time because more time at home meant more treats. At first, her family happily obliged. It wasn’t until the overweight cat stopped playing and losing mobility that the family noticed Chester was chunky. After the vet explained that she needed to lose three to four pounds, Chester’s owner, Peyton O’Brien, came up with a creative solution to help.
The college student decided to build an obstacle course for her beloved cat each day. She wanted to encourage Chester to lose weight while making it somewhat enjoyable for her feline friend.
Some Of The Creative Courses
When speaking with The Dodo, O’Brien shared some of the tactics she used to help Chester lose weight. “One of her new exercises is that I throw a piece of food and she goes and chases it down,” she told the outlet. Given the overweight cat’s love of food, that method proved successful, but O’Brien didn’t stop there.
The college student also built various obstacle courses for her beloved pet. These courses forced Chester to run, jump, and maneuver around objects in a way that she would not typically do. “I just try and think of different stuff for her to do every day,” O’Brien admitted. Additionally, the college student adopted a second cat, Clementine.
Although Chester is not always keen on interacting with Clementine, the new furry addition has helped in the overweight cat’s weight loss journey. That is mainly because, according to O’Brien, “Clementine chases her around the house.” Sometimes, Chester’s obstacle courses get so elaborate that she even swims in a pool, which is a surprise for a cat!
With her hard work, Chester has begun steadily losing weight, and her progress is expected to continue. Furthermore, she is playing on her own again and seemingly hating the obstacle courses less and less.