This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turnaround, but Daily Dog Tag only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
When we adopted Theo one and half years ago, he was more than chubby. He was obese by the vet’s standards. Although I thought he was adorable, I knew it wasn’t in his best interest to let him stay fat. Just like for humans, being overweight can cause health problems for animals. The thought of losing Theo due health problems caused by obesity was just too sad, so we made the promise to him to help him lose weight! Thanks to Hill’s® Science Diet®, it is pretty easy to help dogs lose weight!
Photo credit: © Alice G Patterson Photography
Last year we turned to Hill’s Science Diet since our vet recommended them and we were able to help Theo lose weight successfully.
The secret to Theo’s success is actually a combination of lifestyle changes for him.
1. His previous family fed him table scraps, we eliminated those completely.
2. We switched him to a food that helped him to reduce his caloric intake that also kept him from acting like he was starving. We measure his food each and every meal, no more guesstimating how much he is getting.
3. We started using puzzle toys to help make his meals more stimulating and to slow down his eating process. Instead of practically inhaling his food, Theo has to work for it. He enjoys our DIY treat dispenser (we use kibble in it) as well as some other puzzle toys.
4. Exercise/play time is part of Theo’s daily routine.
I’m happy to say we’ve been able to help him maintain a healthy weight. By changing what and how we fed him, Theo is healthier and we’ve decreased many of his health risks. I hope that Theo’s success will help inspire other people to help their pets reach a healthy weight.
Recently I found out that more than 50 % of pets are considered overweight. If you aren’t sure if your dog is overweight, ask your vet or consult Hill’s Weight Check tool. 40% of the dog population is comprised of small and toy breeds, so Hills has introduced a food specifically made for them: Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight Adult Perfect Weight Small and Toy Breed. 70% of cats and dogs who used Science Diet Perfect Weight lost weight within 10 weeks. 
This is a new formula that is 100 % precisely balanced nutrition and contains prebiotic fibers for gentle digestion. (From Hill’s website)
Hills Science Diet is available from your vet as well as Pet 360. There is also a Perfect Weight Formula for cats.
If your pet is overweight, I hope you’ll do your best to help him or her get healthier!
About Alice G Patterson Photography: Based in Syracuse, New York, Alice specializes in portraits for small businesses, senior portraits, dogs and the people who love them.
What a difference!
I’m a veterinarian and see lots of overweight pets. Those that lose weight become more active and interact with the family more.
It makes us feel good to think we’ve helped him to a longer, healthier life!
Bravo Theo, you’re rockin’ it pal!
Oh! Theo 🙂 looking great and glad you are maintaining your good healthy weight. Woofs to your parents.
Once we started him on a good plan, the weight came off and he’s been able to keep it off pretty easily! (Although if he had his way, he’d more often.)
Theo looks so good these days! I remember you talking about how he was so grumpy and aggressive before he started on the Hills food.
Yes, he was pretty unhappy until we found a food that helped him to feel full.