Just in from Bowman Animal Hospital and Cat Clinic in Raleigh, which is kicking off its second annual Pet Weightloss Challenge:

“For most of us,” said Summer Dallke, Office Manager of Bowman Animal Hospital, “strained waistbands and belts are signs we’ve put on too much weight and with the New Year right around the corner have already started making those resolutions to lose a few pounds … but how do we know whether our full-figured feline and pudgy pooches have crossed the line from healthy to hefty?”

That’s the question one pet health facility decided to address directly. A ground breaking 14-year study by Purina researchers showed that dogs fed to a lean or ideal body condition throughout their lives had a median life span of 1.8 years longer and were considerably healthier than their littermates.

Miss Fifi is proud to endorse this wonderful effort from right around the corner, in our capital city.

“A pet’s weight matters a lot,” said Dr. Nannette Goodwin, also of Bowman Animal Hospital. “A 1- or 2-pound weight gain in a 10-pound cat may not sound like much in “people pounds,” but it equates to a 150-pound human gaining approximately 15 to 30 pounds. Currently 25% of cats and dogs in the U.S. are overweight, and the numbers are rising rapidly. Just as with humans, too much body fat can increase a dog’s or cat’s risk of developing serious health problems including heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis, ligament damage, and diabetes.”

Helping your pet maintain an ideal body condition through proper feeding and exercise can increase the quality of their lives.

Bowman Animal Hospital has always placed a great deal of emphasis on exercise and nutrition but decided that it was time to address pet obesity on a larger scale. “Together we came up with a step-by-step program including regular weigh-ins and diet adjustments, moral support, education, and of course, lots of fun incentives along the way,” said Dallke.

The Pet Weightloss Challenge starts January 1st, and will end May 30th. The dog and cat that have lost the highest percentage of weight during this time will earn a free year’s worth of food. “Our goal is to raise the level of awareness and to support pet owners that want to learn more. We all love our pets,” said Dr. Goodwin. “Helping them slim down so they can enjoy long, healthy lives is one sure way to show it.”

Pet Weightloss Challenge | Healthy Pets Live Healthy Lives :: WRAL.com
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