Paw Print

How many of us are guilty of over-feeding our pets, after reading this I know I am!  I’ve had Ryder my 10 year old puppy on the new canine diet medicine Slentrol for several months to get a few extra pounds off of him and it works.

Maryland-bound Pet Obesity Awareness Tour Aims to Turn Fat Pets Fit

Think slipping your beagle a 1-oz. cube of cheese is no big deal? Think again.
That seemingly benign treat is the equivalent of 2 ½ hamburgers to humans!

        From August 28-September 1, Baltimore-area pet owners can learn more about pet obesity through the PetFit Tour, a mobile resource visiting the Maryland State Fair and Baltimore-area animal hospitals to raise awareness of the health risks associated with pet obesity, the importance of veterinary visits, feeding the right nutrition, and encouraging pet owners to increase playtime with their pets.

Located at the Maryland State Fair, PetFit tour volunteers will be on hand to lead interactive exhibits such as the “Treat Translator,” which gives pet owners a better sense of the health and nutritional consequences of common snacks given to our dogs and cats. Weighted vests that simulate just how much those extra few pounds on your dog would feel on you are also part of the experience.

Small animal veterinarian Dr. Heidi Hulon and her canine companion will be in town on Wednesday, August 28, and available for interview about the PetFit tour and pet obesity. Dr. Hulon will be able to demonstrate some of the interactive features that the public can later experience at the Maryland State Fair.

The PetFit Tour is part of the Alliance for Healthier Pets: Obesity Awareness Program, developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.

“The purpose of this Alliance is to provide veterinary health care team members with creative tools that will assist them in educating their clients,” said Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, president of the AVMA. “Through the adoption of proper nutrition, increased physical activity and regular veterinary visits, owners can help their best friends live longer and healthier lives.”

        The emphasis will be directed at promoting positive weight management behaviors by combining veterinary health care team communication and pet owner compliance, proper nutrition, daily fitness and regular weight examinations.

        “Pet obesity continues to be a condition more veterinary health care teams find during pet examinations, and there is a need to help owners understand the ramifications,” said Christine Jenkins, DVM, DACVIM, director of Academic Affairs at Hill’s. “We are excited to team up with the AVMA to help impact the lives of pets in need of a weight lifestyle change.”

The Oversized Truth
A weight management study concluded that compared with cats of optimal weight, obese cats are more than twice as likely to develop skin conditions, four times as likely to develop diabetes mellitus and five times as likely to develop lameness requiring veterinary treatment.3 Likewise, another study showed that dogs fed to maintain an ideal weight can live longer, healthier lives.

“If we are to truly help the pets we love who suffer from obesity, the time is now,” said Janet Donlin, DVM, chief of Veterinary Business Channel at Hill’s. “As veterinary professionals, we have an obligation to do our part to help pet owners take steps toward forging a healthier tomorrow for their dogs and cats.” 

How Fit is Your Pet?
The 2008 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit is now available for veterinary health care teams to utilize for their weight management efforts. The kit contains materials which can be used to help initiate dialog with pet owners regarding pet obesity and how to help pets lose weight.

        Veterinary health care teams can request their Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit and learn more about the PetFit Challenge and PetFit Tour by calling 1-888-7-PETFIT or by visiting http://www.PetFit.com