Bury pets get behind weighty issue and help with half tonne weight loss

A Dalmation from Bury has triumphed in the Vets4Pets Kilo Crunch weight loss challenge after losing almost 20% of her original body weight.

Seven-year-old Mollie was crowned the Bury winner of the Kilo Crunch Challenge run by Vets4Pets at 480 Manchester Road, after she lost an impressive 19.14% of her original body weight (2.55kg).

Mollie’s achievement helped contribute to an overall national weight loss for the 600 pets that took part, of 652kg, or more than half a metric tonne!

Her owner, Mrs Judith Anderson, who has won a £50 diet pet food voucher, is delighted that Mollie’s weight loss has been recognised. Mrs Anderson said: “We’re really pleased that the hard work has paid off. Mollie injured her leg when she was a puppy which limited the amount of exercise she could do. She also has colitis which means she eats a diet of only chicken and rice which makes her put on weight.

“I took her into Vets4Pets as she had a growth on her eye but I knew her weight was also an issue. The vet suggested I sign her up for the Kilo Crunch Challenge which involved giving her prescription diet food twice a day. Mollie can be quite demanding when it comes to food and would often jump up, so if I found this was becoming too much, I would just split the meals into smaller portions.

“She weighed 37.1kg (more than five and a half stone) when she started and was set a target weight of 30kg. The new regime has been such a success that she’s actually gone past this and now weighs 29kg (four and a half stone). I’m delighted with how well she’s done – she has so much more energy and I will definitely be carrying on with the plan.”

Sean Taylor, practice partner at Vets4Pets in Bury, said: “Mollie did really well on the Kilo Crunch Challenge and I’m delighted she has been crowned the practice winner. It’s great to see owners taking the health of their pet seriously and Mrs Anderson’s willingness to make changes to Mollie’s lifestyle, was instrumental in her weight loss. Hopefully this new healthy regime will become a way of life for them both, helping to keep the weight off permanently.”

The Kilo Crunch Challenge ran at Vets4Pets practices throughout the country from 1 July to 31 December. Owners were encouraged to bring their cats and dogs into their local Vets4Pets practice for a free weight and health check, where, if necessary, they were given a weight loss target along with the appropriate diet and exercise advice.

As well as individual practice winners, an overall national winner was crowned and received a pet friendly weekend break for two together with a £250 diet pet food voucher. All entrants received a £5 diet pet food money off voucher.

However, the end of the challenge should only mark the beginning of a healthy and happy lifestyle for participating pets. Sean Taylor says: “Managing a pet’s diet is a long-term commitment, which in the long-run not only benefits the pet’s welfare, but the pet owner’s pocket as well.”