Fat cat swims for weight loss

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At a “pet resort” in Loudoun County, Virginia, a roundish, domestic medium-haired cat named Holly swims to take off the extra pounds. On Thursday morning, CBS News showed Olde Towne Pet Resort staff member Dani Lawhorne, who brings Holly to the pool, which is mainly used for dogs, because other methods of weight loss have proven unsuccessful for her cat.

“She won’t do anything else,” said Lawhorne. “I’ve tried to take her outside. She doesn’t like the outdoors, won’t run around. She won’t play with cat toys. She doesn’t like catnip. Anything normal that cats like, she just doesn’t like.”

What Holly apparently does like, however, is a brisk swim in the spa’s heated, salt-water pool. Wearing a bright yellow life vest and a determined expression, the overweight feline swims with a businesslike dog- (or cat-) paddle from one end of the pool to the other while Lawhorne croons encouragement.

“She’s lost about a pound in the last six months,” Lawhorne said, “but she’s still got a bit to go.”

Veterinarians would like to see Holly lose between 6 and 7 pounds.

Watch the video, embedded via CBS News, below: