Black Spokescat Johnny Walker Starts #HillsPet Diet

Love is not overfeeding your cat. Pet obesity is a serious issue.

 [Contest Giveaway at end of this post]

The spokescat for black cats that has graced the covers of Christmas greeting cards, countless Facebook postings, and sits with ease and grace like a professional for video interviews,  is officially on a diet! Yes fans, followers and pet parents, Johnny Walker is on a diet. Not the liquid kind full of whiskey. That's the other "Johnnie". Our Johnny Walker is officially starting the NEW Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution.

PET OBESITY IS NOT CUTE--IT'S A GROWING EPIDEMIC
Why is this a big deal?  It's a serious issue.  We hear about it, we read about it but how often do we ignore our pet's health?  Too often.  Please read on.

Johnny Walker on cover of 2011 Christmas card

Johnny Walker has noticeably gained weight in the past couple of years compared to his siblings.  You see he was the latest rescue--dumped in our neighborhood.  Johnny Walker joined the indoor clan of rescued Riverfront Cats a year later. And he's the only all black cat.  Like kids, the others treat him like the black sheep.  So when the other cats play and wrestle, Johnny Walker is ostracized from every social and cat gathering--nap time, meal time, playtime, etc.  Maybe they are jealous of his looks?

"Hills Diet? Is it a South Beach diet for cats? Does it taste yummy?

But like all smart black cats, Johnny Walker leverages his wit, swagger, and handsome looks to charm his owner to indulge him with regular feedings and special treats--fait accompli.  However that compulsion to spoil our pets by overfeeding them is causing more harm than good.

Did you know:

1. In the U.S., 53% of dogs and 55% of cats are overweight?
2. Over the last five years the incidence of overweight dogs has increased by almost 40% in the U.S.
3. Over the same time period the number of overweight cats has increased by astonishing 90%.

The trend of overweight cats is a serious epidemic as this study points out:
 

Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic Expanding

Now you may think because Johnny Walker is a mini celebrity that the decision to embark on a diet program is due to borderline obsession with vanity here in Miami.  Sure the Magic City is brimming with beautiful people and the pressures of working in the spotlight demand personality figures look their best. But as the caretaker, it's my responsibility to ensure his optimal health and well being.  Pets are not "real" stuffed animals as I always tell potential adopters. It's time to take my own advice. Addressing eating habits and exercise for quality of life is the same for overweight cats as it for overweight dogs and humans. 

Johnny Walker poses on a pedestal. He's not thrilled with smaller food portions. 

Celebrities are used to getting their way and change is often more difficult.

Like many pet guardians, we erroneously think food is love and cutting back portions is not easy.  What to do? Well, the challenges are harder for cats than dogs. We can't play outdoors and throw a frisbee or walk an overweight cat on a leash like a dog. Our vet's solution for cat weight loss is the Hill's® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution.

Watch this video to learn more!


Johnny Walker and I have started his cat weight loss journey and will track his progress on this blog. It's harder to go it alone and we invite you to join us through the contest below!

Hill's® Prescription Diet®  GIVEAWAY

For your pet’s opportunity to try Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution for free we’re giving away a Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution trial kit. Please know this will require your veterinarian’s authorization*. It’s a $70 value! You can choose from the canine or feline kit which includes:

• 1 Weight Loss Success Tote Bag
• 1 Weight Loss Success Guide
• 1 6lb bag of Metabolic dry dog food OR 1 4lb bag of Metabolic dry cat food
• 2 (13oz) Metabolic cans OR 2 (5.5oz) Metabolic feline cans
• 1 (16oz) Metabolic treats OR 1 (2.5oz) Metabolic feline treats
• (2) $25 coupons

 HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post (Click on "Comment" and choose Anonymous or your blogging platform) and tell us about the pet that would benefit from Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. Be sure to include all of the required information below:

• Is your pet a dog or cat?
• Pet’s age
• Pet’s current weight or close guess
• Your name
• Your email address

*Your veterinarian’s authorization is required before starting Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution food. This giveaway is limited to one winner per household and is for U.S. residents only. Be sure to use a valid email when leaving your comment so we can contact if you are chosen as a winner. The giveaways ends on April 30th, 2014. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill's® PrescriptionDiet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution, but Riverfront Cats only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.