Former 41-pound cat slims down to 19 pounds

In this photo provided by East Lake Pet Orphanage, veterinarian Brittney Barton poses for a photo with Skinny the cat Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 in Dallas. Skinny, an overweight stray cat found nearly two months ago in North Texas has slimmed down to 37 pounds but is still too fat to be adopted. Barton, on Monday said Skinny seems healthy, is on special food and gets exercise. Courtesy Photo

DALLAS — A former 41-pound cat dubbed Skinny has lost more than half of his weight to become the darling of a Dallas veterinary clinic.
Dr. Brittney Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed down to 19 pounds with exercise and a special diet. Barton calls Skinny the “resident cat” at her practice, HEAL Veterinary Hospital.

Barton said Friday that Skinny spends weekdays roaming the clinic. The ex-fat cat’s weekends are spent at home with Barton and her family.

Skinny was found abandoned near Dallas in 2012 and ended up at a shelter. The vet says Skinny just had his annual checkup and is healthy.

Barton says Skinny is living proof that while he’s supposed to be a large cat, “he’s not supposed to be an obese cat.”