Fat Larry’s ban! Downing St cat has to cut down on treats after piling on the pounds during lockdown

Fat Larry’s ban! Downing St cat has to cut down on his favourite treat after piling on the pounds during lockdown

  • Larry the Downing Street cat has gained 0.5kg during lockdown
  • Following a trip to the vet, Downing St staff were asked to cut down on Dreamies 
  • The 14-year-old tabby’s fondness for the popular cat snack is thought to be to blame for his recent weight gain  

Boris Johnson has made no secret of his efforts to lose weight and is seen going for a jog most mornings.

But it seems he is not the only occupant of No 10 who could do with slimming down a little. 

Like many of us, Larry the Downing Street cat has piled on the pounds during lockdown.

The chief mouser, who recently celebrated ten years prowling the corridors of power, has had a few too many treats and staff have been told to cut down specifically on his Dreamies, the popular cat snack. 

Like many of us, Larry the Downing Street cat (pictured) has piled on the pounds during lockdown

The chief mouser, who recently celebrated ten years prowling the corridors of power, has had a few too many treats and staff have been told to cut down specifically on his Dreamies, the popular cat snack

The chief mouser, who recently celebrated ten years prowling the corridors of power, has had a few too many treats and staff have been told to cut down specifically on his Dreamies, the popular cat snack

A memo sent to Downing Street staff, after a trip to the vets, warned that 14- year-old tabby Larry ‘has put on 0.5kg in lockdown so likely too many Dreamies. Please can we reduce these?’

Otherwise, the cat got a clean bill of health for his advanced age.

A memo sent to Downing Street staff, after a trip to the vets, warned that 14- year-old tabby Larry 'has put on 0.5kg in lockdown so likely too many Dreamies. Please can we reduce these?'

A memo sent to Downing Street staff, after a trip to the vets, warned that 14- year-old tabby Larry ‘has put on 0.5kg in lockdown so likely too many Dreamies. Please can we reduce these?’

Fewer treats for Larry will also be welcome news to pandemic Britain’s host of new pet owners who have found pet food in shops hard to come by. 

Some 11 per cent of British homes got a new pet last year, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. 

Larry was recruited from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011 and has now caught rodents for three prime ministers.

He is one of a number of Whitehall pets including rival cats Gladstone, of the Treasury, and the recently retired Palmerston, of the Foreign Office – with whom Larry was known to have the occasional scuffle.

He belongs to the civil servants in the Cabinet Office, who keep a kitty to buy his food.