Annual “Pets Reducing for Rescues” Ideal Weight Contests

With an increasing number of pets overweight (latest information from Royal Canin puts 58% of cats & 45% of dogs into a dangerous category) the Drs & staff at WFPC are totally committed to being a nutritional center and preventing the multitude of problems that are associated with pet obesity (any pet 20% or above their ideal weight)

To that end each January we hold a Pet Nutrition Open House and kick off a free 8 week “Pets Reducing for Rescues” Ideal Weight Contest to bring awareness to this issue and help pets achieve their Ideal Weight.

“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.”

So…in 2009 we decided to hold a contest every year to spread the word about ideal weight & preventative nutrition and support our local rescues in the process!

2011 Contest details on Eventbrite

Resources/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/ .