The annual Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year competition looks for South Africa’s most successful pet slimmer, a previously portly dog or cat who has reached their target weight on a veterinary supervised weight management programme. With more than a thousand pets already enrolled on the programme, competition promises to be tough.

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Half of SA pets overweight
Hill’s Pet Nutrition hosts the annual Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year competition to highlight the problem of pet obesity. Research by Hill’s indicates that only 12.5% of dog owners and 20% of cat owners consider their pets to be overweight. Yet veterinarians say pet obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and up to 50% of pets weigh too much.

“Overweight pets are simply less healthy and more likely to develop diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer,” warns Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary consultant to Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “Furthermore being overweight will exacerbate conditions such as joint disease, making it more painful and disabling for the pet”.

Rina Cronwright, managing director of Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the competition judge agrees: “Losing excess weight makes a remarkable difference to a pet’s well-being. Owners are constantly telling us how their slimmed-down pet is like a puppy or kitten again – playful and enjoying life. Being the right weight and eating a balanced diet can literally add years to a pet’s life,” she says.

Gina, a Rottweiler from Durban who won the 2004 Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year, lost an amazing 23kg – 40% of her body weight – and went from being too obese to walking comfortably, to running around the garden with a new zest for life.

“It was a huge adjustment to go from food available 24 hours, to just three small, specially prescribed meals daily,” said Gina’s owner, Isabel Fenner. “No more peanuts, pizza and other treats! But as the fat started to melt away, Gina began to show new energy, running, jumping and playing. Her coat shines, she has a clearly defined waistline and sparkling eyes and she is healthy and energetic. It took great determination to ignore the beseeching eyes, but we are very glad we did!” she adds.

Ask your local vet for a free weight check to see whether your pet would benefit from enrolling on the Hill’s Pet Slimmer programme. If your pet has already enrolled and reached target weight don’t forget to enter it into the competition - you might even win an exotic island holiday.

For more details call the toll-free Hill’s Careline on 0800 228 783. Entries for the 2005 Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the Year close on 31 August 2005.

(August 2005)
 

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