NEWS

Former 41-pound fat cat now feline trim at 19 pounds

Doug Stanglin
USA TODAY
This photo provided by the HEAL Veterinary Hospital & Pet Rehabilitation shows Skinny, who when found wandering near Dallas in 2012 weighed in at 41 pounds.  (Jana Hipp via HEAL Veterinary Hospital & Pet Rehabilitation via AP)

A routine checkup shows that Skinny, a former 41-pound cat whose case went viral on the Internet because of his obesity, is now down to 19 pounds, the Associated Press reports.

The orange tabby was found abandoned in 2012 in the backyard of a residence in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. Skinny suffered from numerous health issues and could hardly walk more than 5 feet, The Dallas Morning News reports.

But by two years ago, ex-fat cat was down to 27 pounds and by 2014, had dropped to 22 pounds. He hit his current svelte state of 19 pounds two months ago, thanks to a special diet and exercise, the News reports.

This 2012 photo provided by the Richardson Animal Services shows Skinny at the Richardson Animal Shelter in Richardson, Texas. Dr. Brittney Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed from 41 to 19 pounds.

Dr. Brittney Barton first began taking care of Skinny at a pet orphanage before adopting him and having him spend time at her practice, HEAL Veterinary Hospital in Dallas.

On weekdays, Skinny roams the clinic. On weekends, he's with Barton and her family, the AP reports.

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.”

Ironically, the trim Skinny would likely weigh even less except for the massive skin accumulated from his time as a chubby feline.

"I'm happy where he is at this point in time," Barton tells the News. "The rest is just excess skin."

In fact. Skinny might be in line for skin-removal surgery, although Barton says Skinny's bone structure suggests his current weight is appropriate.

"He's doing great. He's a very handsome cat," Barton said, according to the newspaper.