Local Animal Hospital Fights Pet Obesity

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Jan 21, 2012 MST

Story Updated: Jan 20, 2012 at 11:17 PM MST
Grand Junction - National statistics from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention show that 54% of our nation's pets, like 5-year-old Callie, are overweight or obese.

"Unfortunately, her world revolves around food," said Carrie Polk.

Polk raised Callie from birth. "...and she's got such a cute face that it's hard to refuse her."

Tiara Rado animal hospital wants to stop these bad habits.

"As people have gotten heavier, so have our animals," said veterinarian Thad Respet.

January marks their second annual Biggest Loser contest.

People across the Valley can pop in with their pudgy pets, get them weighed, and put on a strict diet and exercise regiment.

"It's just kind of a fun way to get their pets to lose some weight.," added Respet.

Callie now weighs about 107 pounds, a number that worries Polk. "She gained 26 pounds in about a year and a half," said Polk.

When they first started this journey, Polk couldn't get her pooch to even step on the scale, but with the clinic's plan, Callie lost seven pounds in one week.

"She will get on the scale now," said Polk.

Experts say that training your pet to be healthy is all about owner obedience.

"As pet owners, we are in a unique position to have full control over their diets," said Respet.

"It's not just a lifestyle change for her," added Polk, "I mean, it is for us as well."

It's a change that could add three to five years onto your little loved one's life.