National competition helps growing population of obese pets shed pounds and be healthy

TAMPA, Fla. – BluePearl Veterinary Partners announced Wednesday the start of The Biggest Shedder, a nationwide pet weight-loss competition  to encourage and motivate pet owners to help their furry companions get to a healthy weight. Open to any pet owner with an overweight cat or dog, the first weigh-in deadline is February 13.

“Pets are part of the family and share problems maintaining a healthy weight, just like people do,” said Dr. Neil Shaw, chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners. “Incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into your pet’s life are paramount to helping your pet live a long and healthy life while preventing avoidable ailments.”

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 54 percent of cats and dogs in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese. Animals who are overweight are at risk for shortened life spans due to knee and joint injuries, heart and respiratory disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and other serious disorders.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Step 1) Pet owners are encouraged to take their pet to their family veterinarian to see if their pets are indeed overweight, determine how much they may need to lose, come up with a plan to lose the weight and figure out a realistic goal to reach by the contest end date of June 14.
Step 2) Pet owners take their cat or dog to their family veterinarian for a quick weigh-in every couple of weeks and post their pet’s progress. Prizes are given away at each weigh-in and those who reach their goal by contest end are entered to win the grand prize.

PRIZES

The grand prize for the contest will be one-year worth of Hill’s pet food for the winning pet and an iPad provided by Trupanion Pet Insurance for the owner. Additional prizes for progress weigh-ins will be provided by Pfizer Animal Health.
(Note:  Winners information will be verified by the pet’s veterinarian.)

For more information and to participate visit: http://bluepearlvet.com/newsroom/biggest-shedder-competition/.

About BluePearl Veterinary Partners

Formed in 2008, BluePearl Veterinary Partners is headquartered in Tampa, Fla., and employs more than 1,200 people including approximately 250 veterinarians. BluePearl hospitals are referral-only and don’t provide primary care. Most BluePearl hospitals offer 24-hour emergency care services. BluePearl is one of the world’s principal providers of approved veterinary residency and internship educational programs. BluePearl also participates in and conducts clinical trials to study the effectiveness of new drugs and treatments, which give clients access to cutting-edge medicine not yet commercially available and improves the quality of care delivered to our patients.

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