Work

Just as obesity has become a health crisis for people, it has also become one for our four-legged family members. More than half of the nation's dogs and cats — an estimated 43 million dogs and 50 million cats — are overweight or obese. In response to this crisis, Purina Veterinary Diets® launched a comprehensive initiative called Project: Pet Slim Down™ to help both veterinarians and pet owners move beyond knowledge of the problem to implementing a solution. Media outreach has been a vital component of this program. It has been used to showcase the success of campaign pets featured in the program's online reality series as well as the importance of pet owners partnering with their veterinarians to devise a personalized program of diet and exercise. Project: Pet Slim Down™ has been featured in an Associated Press article, in numerous broadcast and newspaper stories, in pet blogs and in a pet weight loss article in Prevention magazine. Reversing a trend like pet obesity requires a long-term commitment to pet owner education as well as the use of effective diets and exercise. The Purina Veterinary Diets Project: Pet Slim Down™ will continue to be an important resource for veterinarians and caring pet owners.