Kroshik, which translates in English to "Little Baby" or "Crumbs", passed away at 14kgs after suffering sudden breathing problems. 

Kroshik was found in the basement of a hospital where he had been raised on a diet of bread crumbs, soup, Whiskas and meat, and weighed 17kg when he was rescued.

The Matroskin cat shelter website, translated from Russian to English, described Kroshik as being hit by a "strong love that did not allow him to live a normal life".

The shelter placed Kroshik in a rehabilitation centre to undertake a "long and painstaking recovery", where he successfully lost 3kgs before passing away on Saturday. 

The strict diet and exercise regime saw Kroshik begin walking again with the help of an underwater treadmill. 

Kroshiks' tests were all normal leading up to his death, and the official cause of death is still pending a complete post-mortem exam. 

Image: Instagram/matroskin_prm