petMD Partners With Hill's® Science Diet® to Launch MyBowl for Dogs

TOPEKA, Kan., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent pet nutrition study, sixty nine percent of dog owners need help understanding their dog's nutritional needs(1). To help educate owners about properly balanced dog nutrition, petMD, the largest global source of pet health information, and Hill's® Pet Nutrition, a leader in pet nutrition, have partnered to create MyBowl for dogs.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110810/NY50386)

A first of its kind interactive tool, MyBowl for dogs is designed to put dog nutrition in terms people can understand by:

• Illustrating the proper proportions of essential nutrients dogs need – carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, fats and oils
• Educating  owners about  the  specific benefits each nutrient delivers when fed in the right balance
• Decoding the dog food label so owners ensure their dog is receiving the proper balance of nutrients at each meal

To further educate owners on proper dog nutrition, petMD has launched a dog Nutrition Center on www.petmd.com in partnership with Hill's® Science Diet®.  On the dog Nutrition Center, pet owners can find detailed dog nutrition information and tools including:

• MyBowl for dogs
• Nutrition Articles and Slideshows
• "The Nutrition Nugget" Dog Nutrition Blog by Dr. Jennifer Coates
• Ask petMD Nutrition Chat
• Dog Nutrition Quizzes and FAQ

"petMD's veterinary council is dedicated to producing quality content that provides pet parents  with an unprecedented breadth and depth of knowledge in all areas of pet health," said Nicolas Chereque, founder of petMD. "The partnership with Hill's® Science Diet® has allowed us to combine the veterinary resources of two leaders in pet health to carry out a common mission of educating pet owners about proper pet nutrition."  

"When it comes to identifying the right food choice, dog owners need to check the ingredient list for high quality carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, fats and oils represented in the right balance," said Dr. Chad Dodd, DVM Hill's Pet Nutrition. "A food like new Hill's® Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ that is formulated in precise amounts to provide the exact balance dog's need, nothing more, nothing less, is a great option for owners."

Made with all natural ingredients, Hill's® Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ features fresh chicken as its first ingredient and contains whole grains without corn or artificial colors. Ideal Balance provides dog owners a natural food choice while still delivering the right balance of nutrients owners have come to expect from the Science Diet® portfolio of products.  

Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ will be available at Pet Specialty stores, Farm and Feed stores and Veterinary Clinics beginning August 2011.

About Hill's Pet Nutrition

Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Hill's® Prescription Diet® brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, and Hill's® Science Diet® brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty stores. Founded more than 60 years ago with a unique commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill's is committed to its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's produces high-quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust and give to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the health of the practice. For more information about Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., and Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition™ visit HillsPet.com.

About petMD

petMD is the largest global source of pet health information, offering 5,000+ articles written or approved by licensed veterinarians. All content on petMD is created to provide pet owners access to valuable information beyond the vet office. For more information, visit www.petMD.com.

(1) petMD – 2011 Dog Nutrition Study

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.