Chubby Pets Are No Laughing Matter

Hill's PetFit(TM) Mobile Tour to Educate About the Dangers of Overweight

Pets

    TOPEKA, Kan., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the biggest myths among
 pet owners is that food equals love, so many pet owners lovingly overfeed
 their cats and dogs. Although chubby pets may appear cute, for a dog, just
 five extra pounds on a medium size breed like a Beagle is the equivalent of
 nearly 25 pounds on an average woman. And, for a medium size breed like a
 Siamese cat, four extra pounds equals 45 pounds on an average woman.
     There are 48 million overweight or obese cats and dogs in the United
 States(1), approximately 35 percent of the total pet population. To raise
 awareness about the dangers of weight issues in pets, Hill's Pet Nutrition
 is launching the 2007 Hill's PetFit Mobile Tour. This interactive
 experience offers owners a chance to weigh their cat or dog and receive
 information with specially trained PetFit experts that include certified
 veterinary technicians and veterinary school students.
     "The Hill's PetFit Mobile Tour is a unique way to reach owners and
 inform them that chubby pets are nothing to smile about. For a human, a few
 extra pounds means buying a larger pair of pants but for pets, it means a
 greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis," said Dr. Lisa
 Saabye, a Hill's veterinarian.
     With smaller body frames and structure, pets, unlike humans, may be
 considered overweight when they are just one or two pounds above the
 recommended weight. To address the issue, the first step that owners can
 take is to provide a pet food consisting of proper nutrients, fewer
 calories and high fiber to help control hunger such as the Hill's(R)
 Science Diet(R) Light pet food.
     "Proper nutrition and a specifically designed weight loss pet food are
 critical to managing a pet's weight issue. It's also important to stay away
 from unhealthy treats. Just three slices of bacon can increase a dog's
 daily caloric intake by up to 70 percent, and one half cup of whole milk
 can add almost 50 percent to a small cat's daily calories," said Dr.
 Saabye.
     In addition to proper nutrition, regular exercise is also a critical
 component for a healthy lifestyle. Simple activities such as long walks or
 playing fetch will result in healthy, happy dogs. For cats, there are
 wonderful interactive toys that both cats and owners will love playing
 with. Some cats will also learn to play fetch in the house with a favorite
 toy.
     Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs (on a leash) to get
 weighed and register for the 2007 Hill's PetFit(TM) Challenge when the
 Hill's PetFit Mobile Tour rolls into their city. As cats can become very
 frightened in new surroundings we do not recommend bringing them to the
 tour. Cat owners are encouraged to bring a photo (two views -- one from the
 side and one from the top works best). The tour will have interactive
 computer programs for cat lovers to help them determine if their cat needs
 to lose weight.
     2007 Tour Schedule
      * San Francisco, CA (January 19 through February 11)
      * Los Angeles, CA (February 14 through March 4)
      * Phoenix, AZ (March 9 through March 31)
      * Washington, DC (April 7 through April 29)
      * New York, NY (May 2 through May 22)
      * Chicago, IL (May 26 through June 16)
     All participating pet owners will receive a sample of Hill's Science
 Diet Light (both dog and cat available), a pet food measuring cup and
 weight management tools. For additional information and for pet owners that
 live outside the tour cities visit http://www.petfit.com.
     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 50 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) "Overweight Pets Are on the Rise," Veterinary Economics.
     August 1, 2005.
 
 

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.