Hill’s Pet Nutrition enlists Alton Brown for End Pet Obesity Campaign

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Hill’s Pet Nutrition has recruited Alton Brown, a well-known chef and dog pet parent, to join its annual End Pet Obesity campaign, plus Hill's revealed recent research findings to help enhance this campaign which offers free education, tools, and resources to pet owners.

"For humans and animals alike, setting and sticking to healthy habits can have a positive impact on overall health. I know this firsthand from my own personal weight loss journey and as one of my resolutions this year, I am now working with my dog Scabigail to reach her ideal weight with a custom nutrition plan using food from Hill's," said Brown, in a company release.¹

"I've learned that overtreating and not feeding the right diet can have serious consequences, which is why I'm happy to be working with Hill's Pet Nutrition to help other pet owners learn how to tackle pet obesity, so pets can live their best life with their families,” he added.

Obesity is a leading health risk for pets. According to the release, a recent survey from Hill's Pet Nutrition—conducted in partnership with Kelton—a Material Company, discovered that 40% of pet owners aim to lose weight themselves. However, only half of those admit they have set plans to help their pet lose weight.¹ Additionally, nearly half of pet parents say they find it hard to help their pets lose weight.

More survey findings include¹:

• Treats equal love. Approximately 65% of pet parents report they show love and affection to their pets through treats, and more than 22% say it is giving their pet human food. More than 35% of pet owners say they give their pets a treat 'just because.'
• Awareness would reduce pat parents giving out treats. Though treats are a primary way to show love, most pet parents (61%) remarked they would stop giving too many treats if they were mindful their pet needed to lose weight.
• Pet parents understand the consequences of overtreating. Those with overweight pets mainly attribute it to giving them more treats lately (40%). Individuals with dogs are more likely to blame treats than owners with cats (47% vs 34%).
• Maintaining resolutions is a challenge for pets and their parents. Only about 30% of pet parents and 35% of pets are likely to achieve their 2022 resolutions.

Hill’s End Pet Obesity Campaign offers pet owners different methods for assisting their pets on their weight management journey. Pet owners can check their pet’s body condition, schedule a veterinary visit, discover recommended questions regarding their pet’s weight to ask the veterinarian and more.

"Even a little extra weight on a pet can have a big impact on their overall quality of life. Astoundingly, 90 percent of pet parents with an overweight pet do not realize it.² It is Hill's goal to help pet parents feel empowered and prepared to proactively discuss their pet's weight with their veterinarian," said Karen Shenoy, DVM, Hill's US Chief Veterinary Officer.

References

1. Alton Brown joins Hill’s Pet Nutrition on mission to end pet obesity. News release. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. January 13, 2022. Accessed January 31, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alton-brown-joins-hills-pet-nutrition-on-mission-to-end-pet-obesity-301460486.html?tc=eml_cleartime
2. 2018 pet obesity survey results: US pet obesity rates plateau and nutritional confusion grows. Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. March 12, 2019. Accessed January 31, 2022. https://petobesityprevention.org/2018