GUELPH, ONTARIO — Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) have teamed up to launch the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program, designed to help tackle obesity in pets. The program is sponsored by Hill’s and will offer a comprehensive approach to weight management.
Obesity in cats and dogs has long been a concern for pet owners, veterinarians and the overall pet care industry. According to research from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 61% of cats and 59% of dogs are considered overweight or obese.
This issue goes beyond the scale, impacting a pet’s quality of life and potentially leading to joint pain, diabetes, heart disease and other health issues. OVC’s new program will help address this issue by providing veterinarians and pet owners with solutions to proactively enhance pet health.
“Our team is passionate about improving the lives of pets, and weight management is critical to that goal,” said Adronie Verbrugghe, DVM, associate professor of canine and feline clinical nutrition in OVC’s Department of Clinical Studies. “With generous sponsorship from Hill’s, we can now offer a unique program in Canada that leverages technology, tailored nutrition plans, physical therapy and ongoing support to keep pets on track.”
The program will also support learning for DVM students, ensuring OVC graduates have the necessary expertise to support pet weight management when they enter the workforce.
Using body composition assessments, tailored nutrition plans, physical rehabilitation, progress tracking and other services, the new program will comprehensively address weight issues in cats and dogs.
In addition, the program will tap the expertise of several pet weight care experts including Shoshana Verton-Shaw, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), RLAT Hill’s Pet Nutrition coordinator; Zahra Rahimi, DVM, Ph.D., Hill’s Pet Nutrition veterinary intern; and Rebecca Hunt, RVT, VTS (Nutrition), Hill’s Pet Nutrition registered veterinary technician.
“Thanks to this generous support from Hill’s, we have been able to add several specialized roles to our existing team of veterinary nutritionists and rehabilitation specialists,” Verbrugghe said.
Verton-Shaw added, “We are grateful to Hill’s for supporting these specialized roles that really set our program apart. The combined expertise on this team means that each pet will receive the comprehensive and tailored care they deserve.”
The Hill’s Pet Nutrition Weight Care Program is currently open and accepting referrals for patients across Ontario.
“Treating clinical obesity and maintaining a healthy weight should be considered as part of a comprehensive approach to achieving optimal pet health,” Verton-Shaw said. “If your patients or your pets are struggling, we can help. It’s not just about weight loss; it’s about giving pets more quality years with their families.”
Jill Zigomanis, DVM, director of professional veterinary affairs for Hill’s Canada, added, “Hill’s Pet Nutrition is proud to support this important program. Our mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets, and proper weight care is essential to achieving that. Together, with veterinary partners like OVC, we can make a lasting impact.”
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