Celebrity Fitness Trainer Gunnar Peterson and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Offer Weight Loss Program for Cats and Dogs
The obesity epidemic continues to grow at an alarming rate with 30 percent of adults and 15.5 percent of children in the U.S. effected by the disease(1). Now, obesity is trickling down to our pets. An astounding 35 percent of the total pet population, 48 million cats and dogs in the U.S., are considered overweight. With proper nutrition and exercise it’s not too late to help the pet population fight obesity.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition has teamed up with celebrity fitness trainer and multiple dog owner Gunnar Peterson to kick-off the 2007 Hill’s PetFit(TM) Challenge, a comprehensive weight loss program developed for cats and dogs. To get started, pet owners can visit http://www.petfit.com/ and pledge to work with their veterinarian to develop a tailored weight management program built on a balance of proper nutrition and exercise.
While on the program, owners are asked to schedule appointments throughout the year to monitor progress and can access a range of interactive tools needed to ensure pet weight loss:
– Weight Check Tool: estimates the ideal weight of a dog or cat based on
breed size, age, current weight and a calculated body conditioning
score.
— PetFit(TM) Weight Tracker: a personalized calendar that charts progress
and provides feedback to set and maintain goals.
— Calorie Burn Chart: shows how calories are burned as a result of common
activities such as walking, swimming or strenuous play.
“The major factors of obesity are the same for people and pets, high caloric intake and a decrease in physical activity,” said Gunnar Peterson. “Many pet owners think that food equals love, but this is not the case. My dog Lennox would much rather wrestle with me than have a treat and it’s a workout for both of us. The bottom line is to stop lovingly overfeeding and get out and exercise with your pets.”
Gunnar Peterson lends his fitness expertise to the program and offers the following tips to help jump start a pet’s fitness regimen.
Peterson Pet Exercise Tips
— Need to practice your tennis stroke but don’t have a partner? Take
your dog to the court with you to retrieve your shots.
— Need to do cardio but don’t want to jog alone? Dogs make great
partners for an early morning or evening jog in the park
— Like Frisbee? So does your dog. Go to the park and toss a Frisbee
around with your best pal.
— Need to practice your softball swing? Set up a Tee, swing away and
watch your dog play the field.
— Cats are a little more difficult because they are mostly indoor pets,
but try shining a light on the floor and letting them chase it. Or
placing their food in different areas each night allowing them to
“hunt” for meals.
— Make sure to take the proper precautions when exercising with your pet
during the summer months. Try to exercise in the morning or evening
when the temperature is cooler to prevent overheating. Also, be sure
to bring a water bottle and portable bowl so your pet has plenty of
water.
“Just like people starting a diet regimen, pet owners should first seek medical advice from a veterinarian as the first step in their cat or dogs weight loss program,” said Dr. Chad Dodd, a Hill’s Veterinarian. “If it is determined the pet is overweight, we encourage owners to engage their veterinarian in a dialogue to determine a proper nutrition plan.”
Similar to dieting in people, there are some nutritional guidelines to keep in mind to help support a pet’s weight loss success. These include:
– Avoid feeding table scraps and snacks. Just one small cookie for a 20
pound dog is equal to a person eating an entire hamburger. And just
one cup of milk for a 10 pound cat is equal to a person eating four and
a half hamburgers.
— It’s ok to give your pets healthy snacks such as carrots or apples, but
always in moderation.
— Stick to the recommended daily feeding guide - it can be useful to
weigh out the amount at the beginning of the day, to avoid accidental
overfeeding.
— Divide the daily allowance into several meals for the most efficient
weight loss.
— Keep your pet in another room when preparing or eating your own meals.
Hill’s has been working with veterinarians and pet owners for more than 60 years to provide dietary management of pets with clinical disorders. The Hill’s(R) Prescription Diet(R) weight control foods are clinically proven to help with weight loss for moderately to severely overweight pets. With its precisely balanced calories, protein and fiber, Hill’s Prescription Diet is a useful nutritional aid to help manage overweight pets while providing a great tasting food.
Pet Weight Loss Success
Last year, numerous owners helped their pets lose weight by taking the Hill’s PetFit Challenge. Some success stories include:
– Samson, a Chocolate English Labrador Retriever lost 34 pounds
— Jake, a Beagle lost 15 pounds
— Granger, a Domestic Short-Hair Cat lost 7 pounds
— Milo, a Miniature Pincher lost 53% of his initial body weight
This year, owners can share pet success stories for a chance to be featured on http://www.petfit.com/ and receive a coupon for free Hill’s(R) pet food.
About Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. manufactures Science Diet(R) brand pet foods, sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty food stores, and Prescription Diet(R) therapeutic pet foods, available only through veterinarians. Founded more than 60 years ago by one veterinarian’s unique commitment to pet nutrition and well being, Hill’s follows its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets by producing the most scientifically advanced, highest quality pet foods available.
(1) Obesity, eMedicine.com
Website: http://www.petfit.com/
