Slimmers
of the Year
Seven
dogs and one cat have been selected as the finalists
in the 2006 national Hill’s Pet Slimmer of the
Year. They have beaten off seriously weighty opposition,
with this year’s entrants having lost a mammoth
462kgs of fat between them. The top eight have lost
between 22.6% and 50% of their bodyweight to squeeze
their way into the finals.
|
|
|
|
Bella
before
|
Bella
after
|
|
|
|
|
Houdini
before
|
Houdini
after
|
Now
in its 11th year, the annual competition seeks South
Africa’s most successful pet slimmer - a previously
portly pet that has reached its target weight on a veterinary
supervised weight management programme.
The
contest aims to highlight the problem of pet obesity
and the associated health risks. Research by Hill’s
indicates that only 12.5% of dog owners and 20% of cat
owners consider their pets to be overweight. Yet veterinarians
say pet obesity is reaching epidemic proportions and
up to 50% of pets they see weigh too much for their
own good.
“Overweight
pets are simply less healthy and more likely to develop
diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes
and cancer,” warns Dr Guy Fyvie, veterinary consultant
to Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “Furthermore, being
overweight will exacerbate conditions such as joint
disease, making it more painful and disabling for the
pet”.
“Selecting
the finalists has been tough this year and there have
been a record number of entries,” said Rina Cronwright,
managing director of Hill’s Pet Nutrition and one
of the competition judges. “The striking ‘before
and after’ photos and stories of happier and healthier
pets confirms the value of the Hill’s Pet Slimmer
of the Year competition in helping tackle the pet obesity
problem.”
Currently
Cronwright and her team are travelling around the country
to meet each finalist, owner and vet. The winner, to
be announced in late November, will receive three month’s
supply of Hill’s pet food, and their owners will
be treated to a luxury holiday in Mauritius.
Organisers
say that the top slimmer is not necessarily the one
that has lost the most weight. “We’re looking
for a dog or cat that is in great physical condition
and has lost kilos in a healthy way. The owner needs
to be committed to their new lifestyle, and to not letting
the weight pile back on. We’re also looking for
a special bond between owner and animal, as well as
a happy, well natured pet,” says Cronwright.
Prisca,
a Spaniel from Stilbaai (Western Cape), won in 2005.
She lost over 52% of her bodyweight, going from an extremely
obese 28kgs to a sleek 13.5kgs. Once too fat to walk
a few metres, her owners said she now runs like the
wind.
The
2006 finalists are:
·
Bartlo Gericke, a Pug from Despatch (E Cape), who went
from 14.4kgs to 9.3kgs
·
Bella Steyn, a Boerbull / Rottweiler cross from Boksburg
(Gauteng), who went from 44.8kgs to 31.5kgs
·
Bruno Naidoo, a Miniature Pinscher from Scottburgh (KZN),
who went from 9.7kgs to 6.7kgs
·
Cassie Swiegers, a Weimeraner from Pretoria (Gauteng),
who went from 60.2kgs to 34.9kgs
·
George Ovenstone, a Dachshund from Durban (KZN), who
went from 16.5kgs to 8.8kgs
·
Houdini Frylinck, a Jack Russell from Plumstead (Cape
Town), who went from 17.8kgs to 8.9kgs
·
Leeli Puler, a cat from Pietermaritzburg (KZN) who went
from 5.3kgs to 4.1kgs
·
Lucy Gossman, a Golden Labrador from Tokai (Cape Town)
who went from 47.6kgs to 31.7kgs
For
more information about the Hill’s Pet Slimmer programme
chat to your vet or call the Hill’s Pet Careline
toll free on (0800) 228 783.
