Undoubtedly, chonky cats are a favorite among cat lovers on the internet. Another feline that is high on the list of cat lover favorites is cow cats. When these two favorites are combined, it creates an irresistible combination. Keith the Cat-Cow, a cool spotted cat from the United Kingdom, is not only adorable but has also shown his family that he has a big heart and only has love and kindness to give. At the age of nine, his cat mom shared on Instagram that they rescued Keith when he was found as a sick and starving six-month-old cat on the streets suffering from cat flu and gastrointestinal problems. As volunteers, they decided to take him home and give him a better chance at life. Keith had an enormous character full of fun and life, which made him the perfect companion for their daughter, who has autism. They became inseparable, and Keith played with her when she had no friends. Upon speaking with his cat mom, she agreed to feature Keith’s story on our site, and we hope his unique tale melts your heart.
Could you share with me the tale of how Keith became a part of your life? It all began in 2013 when my daughter and I were volunteering at a nearby feline rescue center. One day, a tiny kitten was brought in after being discovered on the streets. Unfortunately, he was quite ill with cat flu and gastrointestinal issues, probably from scavenging for food. Despite receiving care for about a month, his health didn’t seem to improve. However, my daughter, who is autistic, formed a deep bond with him. He would trail her around and even perch on her shoulders while she worked. Wanting to provide him with a chance at recovery, we decided to take him home. To ensure the safety of our other cats, I secretly had him examined by a vet to rule out FIV and FeLV. The next day, which happened to be my daughter’s tenth birthday, we surprised her by bringing the six-month-old kitten home. Initially named Spartacus, as my daughter believed he had the heart of a warrior, we eventually renamed him Keith after the comedic figure Keith Lemon due to his silly nature and ability to make us laugh.
I’ve noticed that Keith has managed to shed some weight recently. Could you share his journey towards becoming a slimmer cat with me?
Keith’s weight has been an ongoing struggle throughout his life. At just one year old, he weighed a hefty 5.5 kg and was put on a special diet by the vet. Unfortunately, it seemed like he still had the mindset of a starving stray and couldn’t stop eating. Whenever we restricted his food intake, he’d become incredibly stressed, and his flu symptoms would flare up. He used to roam outdoors, eating from bins and getting sick frequently, which only made his weight issues worse. Even when we tried feeding him the correct amount using a feeder, his weight continued to rise. We eventually made him an indoor cat after moving homes, hoping to prevent him from scavenging, but this didn’t help with his weight loss either. We’ve spent thousands on tests to figure out why he keeps gaining weight despite being active and hyper. His vet believes that he might have a problem with his pituitary gland, but we don’t want to risk a ยฃ5000 MRI and potential anesthesia for him when there might not be a solution. Our main focus for Keith now is to prevent him from gaining any more weight as he has a habit of stealing food and eating too quickly. We’re always coming up with new ways to keep food out of his reach and slow down his eating.
How would you describe Keith’s character?
Keith is a joyful and humorous individual who never fails to bring a smile to our faces. He’s extremely affectionate and has an extra special relationship with my daughter, who has autism. We feel incredibly fortunate to have him in our lives because of his playful and mischievous nature.
What activities does he enjoy doing?
From the beginning, Keith has been Charlie’s constant companion, playing games with her all the time. As she’s grown, their pastimes have evolved, but he particularly enjoys painting and solving puzzles.
Is Keith living with any furry housemates? (I’ve noticed that he’s sharing his home with some cats – I can even provide links to their social profiles!)
There are actually three lovely cat sisters living with Keith – Lily, Storm, and Maggie! Lily is an incredibly sweet and gentle 12-year-old cat who has undergone several surgeries throughout the years. Due to her surgeries, she now has no inner ears and a floppy ear, making her completely deaf. Storm, on the other hand, is a 7-year-old British blue shorthair who’s known for her quirky personality. She pretty much rules over Keith, and he doesn’t seem to mind! Finally, there’s Maggie, the youngest of the trio, who’s only 10 months old but full of energy and craziness. Despite her antics, Keith has been very patient with her.
So, what makes Keith special? Well, unlike any other cat I’ve ever had, he seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to knowing when he’s needed. He’s been a great source of comfort and support for Charlie during some tough times, and he always seems to sense when she’s feeling down and needs a cuddle. It’s quite amazing to watch him in action – you can tell he genuinely cares and looks worried when someone he loves is struggling.
