Hill’s Pet Nutrition teams up with Critter Fixers to support fight against pet obesity

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Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Hill’s) announced that Vernard Hodges, DVM, and Terrence Ferguson, DVM, stars of Nat Geo Wild’s Critter Fixers: Country Vets have joined its ‘End Pet Obesity’ campaign to fight pet obesity.

"As veterinarians, we want every pet to live a long and healthy life. That's why pet parents should actively monitor their pet's weight and address it in real-time with the guidance of their veterinarian," said Hodges, in a company release.¹ "We are proud to be a part of Hill's 'End Pet Obesity' campaign to help pet parents learn about the impact of even a few extra pounds and equip them with the tools and resources they need to help their pets achieve and maintain a healthy weight."

According to the release, Hill’s created a L.O.V.E. Test including the following simple actions¹:

• Locate the pet's ribs

• Observe from above
• View from the side
• Evaluate feeding behavior

"Sometimes, under all their beautiful fur, it's hard to realize our pets have gained weight, and even just a few extra pounds can have an impact on their energy and overall wellness," expressed Ferguson. "Taking Hill's L.O.V.E. test is an easy way to evaluate a pet's body condition to determine if it's time to take action."

Hodges and Ferguson advised any pet owner who has concerns surrounding their pet’s weight to seek guidance from the veterinarian. They encourage them to ask their veterinarian questions such as the pet’s ideal weight, how to help their pet reach that weight goal, and how food can contribute to weight management.

"At Hill's, we have been studying the impact of nutrition on how pets' bodies function for over a decade. We learned that lean pets have different biology than overweight pets," explained Karen Shenoy, DVM, chief veterinary officer of Hill's Pet Nutrition U.S. "This guided our development of formulas that both help support a pet's metabolism for a healthy body weight and taste great. With the guidance of a veterinarian, it can be as simple as feeding the right kind of 'love' to lose the weight."

More information about Hill’s ‘End Pet Obesity’ campaign can be found on the campaign's website.

References

Hill's Pet Nutrition and 'Critter Fixers' Dr. Hodges and Dr. Ferguson team up to help pet owners in the fight against pet obesity. News release. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hills-pet-nutrition-and-critter-fixers-dr-hodges-and-dr-ferguson-team-up-to-help-pet-owners-in-the-fight-against-pet-obesity-301724300.html