Jillian Michaels Calls Upon Pudgy Pets to Participate in the Latest Fitness Challenge to Sweep the Nation

Jillian Michaels Calls Upon Pudgy Pets to Participate in the Latest Fitness Challenge to Sweep the Nation

Overweight cats and dogs across the country can discover the thin pet within!

TOPEKA, Kan., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the personal trainers on NBC's hit series The Biggest Loser, you wouldn't expect Jillian Michaels to have an obesity problem in her own household. But Jillian's chubby Chihuahua, Baxter, is one of a rapidly growing number of America's portly pets that are tipping the scales at an all time high. That's why Jillian and Baxter are lending their support to the Hill's 2006 National PetFit(TM) Challenge, a competition designed to help raise awareness of the serious consequences of pet obesity and encourage owners to make positive changes to their pets' lifestyles.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060420/NYTH002 )

As many as 40 percent of American household pets are obese or overweight* -- that's 48 million cats and dogs! Unfortunately, few pet owners recognize the seriousness of the condition. To help curb this weighty trend, Hill's(R) Pet Nutrition, the maker of Science Diet(R) and Prescription Diet(R) brand pet foods, is giving pet owners the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of their pets by participating in the challenge and following a nutrition and exercise program that is proven to help out-of-shape cats and dogs slim down.

Jillian explains, "While I keep in top shape, I'm afraid to say that Baxter is a little heavier than he should be. The Hill's 2006 National PetFit(TM) Challenge is a great way to raise awareness about the growing problem of pet obesity and get people to think seriously about their pet's health. Baxter and I will be taking the challenge in an effort to show the nation that with the right nutrition and exercise program, we can improve the well being of our four-legged friends."

Give Your Pet a Shot at Stardom

If you think your pet may be lugging around some excess pounds, it is important to speak with your veterinarian who may recommend a change in your pet's feeding program and/or exercise routine. To give your pet a chance at stardom when he or she reaches their target weight, enter your pet into the Hill's 2006 National PetFit(TM) Challenge. Twelve regional winners (six cats and six dogs) will win a year's supply of Hill's(R) Prescription Diet(R) or Science Diet(R) pet food, $500 worth of pet supplies, and an all expense paid trip to New York City for the Hill's 2006 National PetFit(TM) Challenge final awards ceremony in October 2006. The two national winners (one cat and one dog) will also receive two roundtrip airline tickets and a three-night accommodation at an upscale, pet-friendly hotel and will be awarded the title of Hill's 2006 National PetFit(TM) Challenge champions.

Pets entering the competition will be fed either Science Diet(R) Light Adult or Prescription Diet(R) r/d(R), m/d(R), or w/d(R), at the recommendation of their veterinarian. Science Diet(R) Light Adult has fewer calories and fat to help dogs and cats keep their weight down, as well as the great taste and balanced nutrition that they need. Prescription Diet(R) r/d(R), m/d(R), and w/d(R), available exclusively through veterinarians, are designed specifically for the management of dogs and cats that are overweight or obese. Prescription Diet(R) r/d(R) and w/d(R) are low-fat, reduced-calorie, and deliver a high fiber formula that helps pets lose weight while keeping them feeling satisfied. Prescription Diet(R) m/d(R) Feline is a low carbohydrate, high protein food that helps cats lose weight by altering their unique metabolism to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass.

Veterinary hospitals and clinics across the country, including VCA Animal Hospitals, are taking part in the PetFit(TM) Challenge to help pets reach their weight loss goals. If you have a portly pet that you would like to enter into the Hill's 2006 National PetFit(TM) Challenge, please contact your local veterinarian or visit http://www.petfit.com/ .

A Nationwide Obesity Epidemic Among People and Pets!

According to the American Obesity Association, 65 percent of adult Americans are overweight or obese, and obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death in the United States. This widespread epidemic has literally gone to the dogs (and cats!) as our nation's pets continue to pile on the pounds. Part of the problem is that many pet owners enjoy indulging their pets and often overfeed or give them tasty but unhealthy treats. Consider this: feeding a cat just one cup of milk is the equivalent of a human eating four and a half hamburgers!

Dr. Jennifer Jellison, an Ohio-based veterinarian, explains: "While it may seem like a loving act, it's important for pet owners to understand that overfeeding their pets can actually be quite dangerous. Obesity in pets can contribute to a number of health problems including arthritis, diabetes, and even a shortened life span. It can also hurt the human-animal bond when a pet is too overweight to participate in physical activities with the family."

Dr. Marty Becker, co-author of the upcoming book Fitness Unleashed!, a dog owner's guide to losing weight and gaining health together, says, "The Hill's People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) study showed that people and their pets can lose weight and keep it off more effectively if they exercise together. Exercise is an important step in helping an overweight pet reach its ideal body weight, and those long walks may even help the owner drop a few pounds and lighten the load of stress in the process."

* "Overweight Pets Are on the Rise," Veterinary Economics. August 1, 2005.

About Hill's Pet Nutrition

Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. manufactures Science Diet(R) brand pet foods, sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty food stores, and Prescription Diet(R) therapeutic pet foods, available only through veterinarians. Founded more than 50 years ago by one veterinarian's unique commitment to pet nutrition and well being, Hill's follows its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets by producing the most scientifically advanced, highest quality pet foods available.

About the Hill's(R) People and Pets Exercising Together (P-PET) Study

The Hill's P-PET study demonstrates that both people and their pets are more successful at staying with a weight loss program when they exercise together. Over the course of the 12-month study, both people and dogs lost weight and kept it off: People lost an average of 11 pounds (approximately 5 percent of their initial body weight) and dogs lost an average of 12 pounds (approximately 15.6 percent of their initial body weight). The maximum weight loss for dogs was 35 pounds; for people, the maximum loss was 51 pounds.

Contacts: Liz Lane
Euro RSCG Life PR
Phone: (212) 845-4236
liz.lane@eurorscg.com

Candice Oswald
Euro RSCG Life PR
Phone: (212) 845-4253
candice.oswald@eurorscg.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060420/NYTH002
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Hill's Pet Nutrition

Contact: Liz Lane, +1-212-845-4236, liz.lane@eurorscg.com, or Candice
Oswald, +1-212-845-4253, candice.oswald@eurorscg.com, both of Euro RSCG Life
PR for Hill's Pet Nutrition

Web site: http://www.petfit.com/

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