Does your pet need a health kick?
PUDGY PETS
A NEW Year’s health kick isn't just for humans.
This month, pet owners in the Far North are being challenged to enter their furry friends for ‘Petbarn’s Biggest Pet Loser’ challenge, which aims to help Aussie pets and owners lose weight and improve their overall health and wellbeing.
Pet obesity is a significant problem in Australia with estimates showing that 41% of Australian dogs and 32% of Australian cats are overweight. In response to this, the 12-week weight loss challenge aims to raise awareness of the health risks of pet obesity and encourage pet owners to reconsider what they’re feeding their pets.
Locals with overweight dogs or cats can register for the challenge at petbarnbiggestpetloser.com.au and go into the running to participate in the challenge.
The top ten chosen pet participants will be provided with a customised health and nutrition plan by Greencross Vets and the pet owner will receive a personalised consultation with celebrity trainer Sam Wood, along with access to three rounds of his online training and nutrition program, ’28 by Sam Wood’.
Last year Petbarn had over 400 entries to the competition with the top three participants losing an average of 20% of their total body weight – for the winning pet, Barkley the Labrador from Queensland, that was a loss of 11.2kgs.
“We had an amazing response to the challenge last year and this year we look forward to watching the participants shed the kilos – and maybe even have a winner from our area,” said Stephen Lowe, Cairns Petbarn Store Manager.
“Many pet owners love to treat their pets like family when it comes to food, for example by sharing scraps from the table with their furry friends. However, what we feed our pets counts and it’s important to consider the different nutritional needs of our pets and the right amounts to feed them. Pudgy pets appear very cute but people should be aware it can cause them significant health problems.”
28 by Sam Wood is a complete online training and nutrition program that gives you an easy to follow structure that fits in with the busiest of lives. Good nutrition and exercise shouldn’t be stressful or complicated, and 28 shows you just how simple it is to be the best version of you.
“As a pet parent myself, I know how hard it is to say no to extra treats for my Labrador, Hendrix when he gives me puppy eyes. It’s important you treat their health as you would your own and this challenge is an excellent way to encourage pet parents to get their pets into shape and help inspire others to do the same. If you know anyone that you suspect has an overweight pet, get them to register now,” Wood said.
The winning 'biggest loser' entry will be judged based on the percentage loss of their overall weight with major prizes to be won. To enter click here, registrations close on 21 February 2018.
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