Press Release: Virbac Partners with Association of Pet Obesity Prevention to Increase Awareness, Importance of Pet Nutrition
WESTLAKE, TX – June XX, 2024 – Virbac, a global leader in animal health, is proud to announce its strategic alliance with the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) to confront the escalating health threat of pet obesity in the United States. With an alarming 56% of dogs and 60% of cats classified as overweight or obese, the two organizations recognize the urgent need to address the hormonal and metabolic changes that occur following the spay or neuter procedure pre-disposing pets to obesity and obesity-related illness and health complications, according to veterinary experts.
Through collaborative efforts with APOP, Virbac aims to develop educational resources and tools for veterinary practices and pet owners, emphasizing the importance of tailored nutrition in maintaining pets' metabolic health following the spay or neutering procedure. By addressing the root causes of pet obesity, Virbac and APOP seek to foster a healthier future for all pets.
They believe by educating pet owners early in the pet’s life will make a difference and help prevent pets from becoming overweight.
APOP officials said Virbac’s vast experience in animal health solutions will bring a newdimension to the shared mission of the two organizations.
“We are excited to welcome Virbac, as they will enhance our ability to address pet obesity through innovative nutrition solutions and providing vets with dietary interventions, tools, and support,” said APOP founder and president, Ernie Ward, DVM, CVET. “We are incredibly excited to work with Virbac’s global network of experts and innovators to help achieve our goals.”
With 50 years of experience in animal health and over three decades of developing wellness-based pet food and therapeutic diets, Virbac is dedicated to improving the health of more than 50 species of animals.
"Our collaboration with APOP underscores Virbac's commitment to positively changing the landscape on improving the health and well-being of pets through targeted interventions," says Fabrice Payot, DVM, Vice President New Business at Virbac. “It’s so important for veterinarians and their clients to understand the root cause of obesity and how metabolic changes occur after the pet has been spayed or neutered trigger weight gain. We can help make a difference by tailoring their diet to one that is higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates. We are also passionate about educating pet owners so they can make informed decisions.”
Nearly 90% of US dogs and cats are spayed or neutered, according to Pet Nutrition Alliance. Dogs are twice as likely to become obese after the procedure and cats are 3.4 times as likely to suffer from obesity once spayed or neutered.
Hormonal changes in pets, including alterations in base (basal) metabolic rate and increased appetite, are significant contributors to the obesity epidemic, particularly among spayed and neutered pets.
Following these procedures, pets often experience a decrease in basal metabolic
rate of up to 30%, coupled with a potential increase in appetite by as much as 60%
Despite these physiological shifts, many pet owners continue to feed their pets the same diet and portion sizes post-procedure, exacerbating the risk of obesity and associated health issues.
Virbac promotes obesity awareness and offers a potential solution in Veterinary HPM® Spay & Neuter Diets, an innovative nutritional line specifically formulated to address the unique metabolic needs of spayed and neutered pets.
Veterinary HPM Spay & Neuter Diets support optimal health and weight management with a lower carbohydrate, higher protein and fiber levels. This blend of nutrients helps pets feel fuller longer to help mitigate the risk of weight gain. In addition, it reduces energy density which is essential to preventing obesity, and is critical to helping avoid associated health complications.
By offering balanced nutrition tailored to the specific needs of these pets, Virbac aims to help minimize the risk of obesity, ensuring pets lead longer, healthier lives.
For members of the media interested in sharing the story or setting up an interview, contact Sarah Jackson at 214-378-7970 or via email at sjackson@thepointgroup.com.
ABOUT VIRBAC:
Focusing on animal health, from the beginning
At Virbac, we provide innovative solutions to veterinarians, farmers, and animal owners in more than 100 countries around the world. Covering more than 50 species, our range of products and services enables us to diagnose, prevent and treat most pathologies. Every day, we are committed to improving animals’ quality of life and working together to shape the future of animal health.