The challenge
With the support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, we’ve teamed up with the staff at Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital to launch the Doggy Diet Challenge and spread the message of obesity awareness. The challenge is based on the Hill’s PetFitTM program to help with pet weight loss.
The challenge is this: three canine contestants, all of whom are overweight and suffering a variety of health problems, compete over a six-month period to lose weight and get their lives back on track. After an initial weigh-in and full health check, the hospital staff will develop a specific diet and exercise program for each dog. Progress will be monitored along the way with regular health checks until, at the end of six months, the dog that has lost the most weight as a percentage of its starting weight will be crowned the winner and receive one year’s supply of Hill’s food.
Contestant #1: Bear
Name: Bear
Breed: Newfoundland
Age: 3.5
Starting weight: 55.4kg
Goal weight: 50kg
Our first contestant is Bear, a gorgeous Newfoundland with a cheeky personality and a love of food. Bear’s weight problems started when she developed Tibial Tuberosity Advancement — a serious leg problem that requires orthopaedic surgery — and hip dysplasia. Angela Castellari, veterinary Nurse at Ku-ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital, says Bear still needs to lose more weight. “The plan for Bear is a pretty strict diet — so it’s the dry food only and we’ll try to keep the house fridge locked. We’re cutting out all her treats,” Castellari explains.
Contestant #2: Maple
Name: Maple
Breed: Golden Retriever
Age: 11
Starting weight: 40kg
Goal weight: 35kg
This gentle canine has been a loving family pet her entire life, but has unfortunately developed a few health problems as she has gotten older. Maple’s treatment for bladder stones involved her being fed with a specially formulated prescription diet with a high fat content to help maintain good bladder health - the high-fat diet has caused her to put on weight. “We’re going to put her on Hill’s Prescription Diet® w/d — it’s still a diet food and is what’s recommended for her,” Castellari says.
Contestant #3: Bunty
Name: Bunty
Breed: British Bulldog
Age: 5
Starting weight: 32kg
Goal weight: 28kg
Our third contestant is Bunty the British Bulldog, a charismatic canine who is a bit larger than she should be. After examining Bunty, Castellari set a weight-loss goal for the Bulldog of 4kg over the next six months. “It’ll have to be a very strict diet for her,” Castellari explains. “She’s going to get 113g of dry Hill’s Prescription Diet® r/d daily, plus a little bit of r/d tinned food. She won’t be allowed any treats.”
PetFitTM
PetFitTM is a pet weight-loss program from Hill’s that is specially designed to give you and your pet a new lease on life.
1. Discuss with your vet whether or not your pet is overweight and would benefit from being on the PetFitTM program.
2. Your vet will then provide you with the appropriate Hill's Prescription Diet® food, and give you all the details necessary to register online
3. Once registered, it's simple for you to manage and track progress using online tools and records, and with regular quick weigh-ins at your veterinary clinic.
For more information, log on to www.petfit.com.au
Keep reading Dogs Life to check up on the progress of our contestants in the coming months.
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