Weight Loss Winners Announced By Royal Canin

WINNER Fudge after losing 29kg For all those of us who resolve to get fit and lose weight every New Year, inspiration is at hand in the form of a dozen dogs and cats who have lost an incredible 147kg between them as part of Royal Canin’s inaugural Weigh In Club initiative. The manufacturer of ‘Obesity Management’ and ‘Satiety Support’ pet diets, teamed up with vet practices across the UK and Ireland to support weight management clinics run by veterinary nurses. The initiative, which ran from February until the end of October 2011, was a huge success with over 170 dogs and cats entering and reaching their weight loss targets. From all the entrants, 12 finalists* were selected by judge and Liverpool University’s specialist obesity nurse Shelley Holden to appear in an exclusive Royal Canin 2012 ‘Weigh In Club Winners’ calendar. The overall winner was named as large cross-breed Fudge who managed to lose a substantial 29kg with the help of his owners Mr and Mrs Debuse and veterinary nurse Julia Dray from Margetts & Associates Veterinary Practice in Gillingham, Kent. WINNER Fudge before losing 29kg Fudge - who originally weighed an astonishing 77.7kg before losing 37% of his body weight over a 10 month period - wins himself a year’s supply of Royal Canin food, along with £500 of gift vouchers for his owners. Vet nurse Julia Dray, who was instrumental in his success, also wins £500 of vouchers for her efforts, as well as £1000 of equipment vouchers for her South East-based practice. Julia Dray commented: “Fudge was referred to my weight clinic and we quickly started him on Royal Canin’s Satiety Support diet. Over the course of 10 months, Fudge lost weight healthily - at an average rate of 1% a week - and reached his target weight of 48.7kg, making him a much happier dog.” Judge Shelley Holden added: “His before and after pictures really tell the story - his energy and health levels have obviously improved dramatically. I am delighted for Fudge and his new active lifestyle and I am especially pleased that he is maintaining his target weight, post loss. Congratulations to Fudge and all involved in his incredible weight loss!” The competition, due to be repeated in 2012, was open to all vet practices which run weight clinics and use Royal Canin products as part of weight loss programmes. Royal Canin produce ‘Obesity Management’ and ‘Satiety Support’ diets which are enriched with vitamins and minerals to help ensure an appropriate supply of essential nutrients despite a restricted energy intake. Obesity Management is available for cats and dogs in both dry and wet formats and is enriched with protein and L-carnitine to help maintain lean tissue, helping to reduce the loss of muscle mass during the obesity programme. The diet also helps to maintain normal mobility in obese dogs and cats and contains a complex of nutrients to help promote skin health and coat shine. The unique Satiety Support dry diet has the added benefit of a significant satiety effect for dogs and cats. Feline Satiety Support is available in innovative portion-control sachets of kibbles, as well as conventional bags, and contains a special blend of selected fibres, chicory pulp and psyllium that promote a quick and lasting satiety effect. Whilst for dogs, the diet is enriched with a high fibre content to significantly increase food volume and promote satiety. For the same calorie content, Satiety Support enables dogs to receive a portion size around a third larger than some alternative high-fibre diets available on the market. Satiety Support also benefits from a high protein content, with L-carnitine to help promote lean muscle mass, a formulation to help maintain normal mobility and essential fatty acids to help promote a healthy skin and shiny coat. Gudi Stuttard BVSc MRCVS, Royal Canin’s Veterinary Support Manager, commented: “With canine and feline obesity on the increase, veterinary nurses have an important role to play in educating pet owners and supporting the weight loss process. Choosing the right nutrition for the individual pet is a key part of a successful weight management programme, along with a tailored exercise plan, regular monitoring and commitment from the owner.” Royal Canin’s Obesity Management and Satiety Support diets are available to order. For more information, call the Royal Canin veterinary helpline on 0800 717800 or visit www.royalcanin.co.uk

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