Ideal Weight Contest
“Pets Reducing for Rescues” Ideal Weight Contest
Sat. Jan. 16, to Sat. March 13, 2010
Grand Finale: Sat, March 13, 2010 12 -1:00 pm
See graphs below of how our contestants are doing following the midpoint weigh-in on 2/17/2010!
The contest is free and open to the public. WFPC and contestants have pledged to their favorite pet rescue organization or humane society based on pounds lost.
The following rescues participated and/or received donations at our 2009 contest: Friends of Ferals, Badger Kennel Club, Capital K-9’s, Dane County Humane Society, GRRoW, Madison Area Dachshunds, WAGS, Adopt-a-Husky, Wisconsin Westie Rescue and Angel’s Wish.
Pictures from our contest can be seen at Facebook.com/westsidefamilypet
More information on ideal weight
Ideal weight dogs live an average of 15% longer. Gail, Kealy et al 2002 . Additional benefits include fewer health problems and associated lower pet health care costs. Strict attention to caloric intake, the type of food being fed, and a regular exercise program can result in effective weight loss but it’s often difficult for pet owners to accomplish this on their own. Dr Phillip Roudebush et al. Certain breeds are more prone to being overweight than others and breed specific nutrition is now being marketed http://breedspecificwellness.blogspot.com/ .
“Ideal weight is perhaps the single most important preventable wellness parameter second only to pet dentistry” says Ken Lambrecht, DVM Medical Director of Westside Family Pet Clinic. “The myriad of different food & treat choices available to pet owners, many of which are calorically dense, combined with less pet activity during winter months, makes ideal weight hard to achieve & maintain. Knowing that pets can live an average of 15% longer makes focusing on Ideal weight one of the most important things we can do as prevention oriented veterinarians.”
