The amazing cat loving couple of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman have happily accepted a very large undertaking to save one cats life. Meet Bronson; A 33-pound polydactyl cat that has as much heart as he does extra weight and toes!
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – Bronson
Mike and Megan have built a successful business from their love of cats and desire to keep them healthy. Catastrophic Creations, founded in 2013, enhances feline enrichment through cat-tested, functionally beautiful furniture that is a “space conscious alternative to the traditional cat tree.”
Bronson will be joining their other 2 family felines, Lylah and Ickle. They are the “offurcial quality control and product testers” for the company.
Photos courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations
But first, he must focus on losing the extra weight he carries.
This is not as easy as just changing his diet and must be done slowly to avoid fatty liver disease. This can be caused when abrupt weight loss occurs, forcing the liver to convert body fat into usable energy. Fat then builds up in the liver cells and can be deadly.
Knowing this didn’t stop the couple from adopting Bronson though. Visiting their local Humane Society before work a few months ago, they were immediately drawn to Bronson.
The funny thing is that with the limited time they had that day and a busy shelter, they didn’t even see his face, only his shapely backside! But they returned bright and early the next day, determined to be the fur-ever humans that would help Bronson lose the weight and live his best life.
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations
Not much was known about the 3-year-old male except that his last owner was an elderly person who sadly passed away. With the size of Bronson, it was believed that he had been fed table scraps with likely no real exercise to combat the overfeeding and unhealthy human food.
With their company focusing on helping cats get exercise through their unique designs, Mike and Megan are the purrfect fit for Bronson.
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – The happy couple pose at the Catastrophic Creations furniture business
The big boy immediately accepted them as well, purring and kneading his bedding like crazy when they first met. That is when they noticed that he was a polydactyl. They believe that fate brought them the loving cat with the paws shaped like their home state of Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – Michigan “mitts”
On his first vet visit, they quickly learned that not only was Bronson happy to open his heart to them, he was quite the flirt in general. The entire staff at the vet clinic took turns coming into the exam room to admire the big lover and shower him with praise and snuggles.
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – Vet visit winning over the staff
So far, with his new dedicated human servants, Bronson is slowly but surely conquering his weight loss. His diet and caloric intake must be very closely monitored and adjusted to ensure he remains healthy and safe. He is transitioning from a kibble diet to a grain free, wet food regimen.
Exercise is a very important step for Bronson as well.
Play time with toys and his purrents is broken up with restful pauses so he does not over-exert himself. Fortunately, their home has a 2nd story so he can use the stairs as a workout too. With his size though, they were also concerned with his joints and want to limit the stresses put on them for now.
Mike and Megan laughingly joke that “Currently, his exercise routine is made up of moving his food dish around the room to promote walking, I feel like we’ve lost points with him on that one”. Tough love!
Being a 33-pound cat, they realized it is probably pretty uncomfortable to be carried with the amount of weight in his chest and upper body. So they came up with another great idea to help him. Bronson has a favorite pillow, and now they can comfortably move him on his fluffy bed, nicknaming it his “transportation pillow”! Who is training who?!
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – “Transport Pillow”
Bronson’s favorite toy is a catnip stuffed tomato–so adorable. He can roll around with it, while laying down and bunny kick, working out those furry legs.
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – Favorite Tomato Toy
As with many cats, Mike admits “He also isn’t shy about taking up too much bed real estate. We’ve pretty much split the bed into thirds and Megan and I have each taken turns at the end of the bed.”
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – Bed Hog Bronson
The goal they have set for Bronson is to lose one pound per month.
So far he has lost 1.6 pounds so everything is on track for ameowzing success. We can’t wait to see Bronson conquer this, eventually scaling the “catified” creations with ease!
Photo courtesy of Mike Wilson and Megan Hanneman; Owners Catastrophic Creations – Bronson’s #LifeGoal
Catastrophic Creations followers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube have been amazing in sharing tips and success stories about their cats who have undergone weight losses. They are all deeply invested in the story of Bronson and so he now has his own Facebook and Instagram pages for everyone to follow his progress and send pawsitive support to the whole family. Be sure to follow them on this journey!facebook.com/IAmBronsonCat
Because you are sure to get a kick out of Bronson’s antics and loving purrsonality as it emerges within his new life.
What a big beautiful sweetheart. I have n extremely large orange tabby rescue named Charlie whose personality is bigger than him. He was also on the “not being adopted” list. He just needed lots of patience and love. Good luck Bronson.
Such a handsome big boy. What an incredible couple taking on this challenge. Bronson sure seems like a loving and sweet big baby. Not on Facebook nor Instagram but would love to follow Bronson’s progress. You go Bronson! I know you can do it!
I totally enjoyed this – thank you for posting. I have a herd of 6 cats and one is rotund but not quite as big as Bronson.
Such a handsome cute boy. I had a chubby cat too, he exploded. 🥺😢🤯🙁😍😋