The IAMS brand has always been dedicated to supporting healthy pets by providing science-backed nutrition, pet health and wellness information and tips for pet parents. One alarming fact they’ve uncovered is that over 59% of American dogs are overweight or obese—a condition many dog parents are unaware of. This issue ranks among the most urgent concerns in pet health today.
To help pet parents keep their dogs at a healthy weight so they can live a long a life as possible, IAMS has IAMS Healthy Weight Dog Hub which is a single destination for pet parents – with resources including tips for exercise and treating, a serving size calculator to help with portion control, and details of specially formulated IAMS Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food. One sweet pup that found himself with some extra weight to lose is Waylon, who is now living a healthier lifestyle and reaching a healthier weight with regular exercise, veterinary care and IAMS nutrition and tools.
From the IAMS press release: To shine an unmissable light on the issue of overweight dogs, IAMS™ pet food partnered with a real-life overweight dog named Waylon to put his story on a huge stage this holiday season. The brand created a larger-than-life dog balloon – modeled after Waylon – that got “stuck” between two buildings en route to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Not actually an official entry in the parade, the two-story-tall balloon represents the many dogs across the country who are carrying extra weight.
The wedged Waylon balloon was visible in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood on Sunday, and prompted passersby to scan on-site QR codes driving them to the IAMS Healthy Weight Dog Hub, where they could learn more about Waylon’s journey toward living a more active, healthier lifestyle and reaching a healthier weight with a combination of regular exercise, veterinary care and IAMS nutrition and tools.
Waylon was about 8 pounds overweight at his checkup, according to his veterinarian. Following his vet’s recommendation, Waylon embarked on an overall wellness journey with two goals in mind: to reach a healthier weight and to participate in a local turkey trot event.
ParadePets got to speak with Waylon’s pet parent, Amy Lacroix, and learn all about this precious pup.
ParadePets: How long have you had Waylon? Is he a rescue?
Amy Lacroix:
We have had Waylon for almost exactly two years. Waylon was born in Mississippi in a rescue center after his mother was found abandoned. When we saw Waylon as a puppy, we couldn’t resist and adopted him from the rescue and have never looked back. In addition to Waylon, we also have an Australian Shepherd dog named Dennis, Waylon’s partner in crime, in the household.
ParadePets: Does Waylon have any funny quirks or habits?
Amy Lacroix: Waylon’s funniest quirk is that he sits on the sofa with one paw up like a human.
Waylon.
Amy Lacroix
ParadePets: How has Waylon been feeling since having his diet modified?
Amy Lacroix:
Waylon has been doing great with his healthy weight plan. He has been more energetic and playful. He also does not “ask” for treats as often. He really likes the food as well. He is eager to exercise and hike longer distances and can keep up with his brother Dennis now.
ParadePets: What does Waylon’s weight loss and health journey mean to you and your family? What has been the best thing about this whole experience?
Amy Lacroix: This experience has been beyond my wildest dreams, it is surreal but so much fun! Although I certainly wish we had caught Waylon’s weight gain sooner, I’m happy that we’ve embarked on this journey to help Waylon live a healthier lifestyle and to reach a healthier weight through regular exercise, guidance from our vet, and nutritional support and tools from IAMS. It is a great opportunity to share that weight gain can happen to any dog and give others the tools to recognize and correct it. Waylon is looking and feeling his best, and we look forward to a lifetime of adventures with him. The activities we enjoy as a family are all active, so it is important that our pups are healthy to participate in all the fun!
“Many dog parents don’t even know their pets are overweight and it’s our mission at IAMS to help those dogs, like Waylon, live healthier lives,” said Jean-Paul Jansen, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Pet Nutrition North America. “Showcasing Waylon’s journey on this large stage is important to us because it’s one many pet parents can relate to. We’re committed to helping them move forward in their own wellness journeys by providing nutritional support and practical tools to better understand and help improve their pets’ health and wellbeing.”
We were also able to ask Dr. Laura Robinson, Veterinarian and IAMS brand spokesperson, about her top three tips for putting your own pup on a healthy weight loss plan.
Dr. Laura Robinson said, “Waylon’s story hits home for me, because I see dogs like him in my practice all the time. Here are some things to consider when it comes to your dog’s health and wellness, though I recommend that pet parents consult with their veterinarian to develop the best exercise and nutrition plan for their dog based on their individual needs.
First and foremost, ensure you’re making regular visits to your vet to determine if your dog is at a healthy weight and track progress. If they are overweight, you can develop a plan with your vet to get them on a healthy weight journey.Have an idea of how many calories (on average) your dog needs per day and then make sure you are feeding around that amount. The serving size calculator on the IAMS Healthy Weight Dog Hub is a great resource to help with portion control.Get regular exercise every day, which should range from 30-90 minutes depending on the breed and age. This not only burns calories and is good physical stimulation but showing your dog new smells and sights is great mental stimulation too.”
After following his veterinarian’s recommended approach, Waylon’s pet parent reports that he has lost weight and is continuing on his healthy weight journey. They even expect to achieve the goal of participating in a dog-friendly 5K together on Thanksgiving Day.
Pet parents inspired by Waylon’s story can visit the IAMS Healthy Weight Dog Hub to check where their own dogs sit on the healthy weight spectrum and learn more about the different factors impacting weight. The hub offers a variety of resources and tools like tips for exercise and treating, a serving-size calculator to help with portion control, and details of specially formulated IAMS Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food. Made with delicious real farm-raised chicken, IAMS Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is formulated with L-carnitine, an ingredient to help turn fat into energy in order to gradually help return dogs to a healthy weight when included as part of an overall wellness routine. IAMS pet food products are available online or in-store at major retailers and pet stores nationwide. To follow along with Waylon’s journey* and to access health and wellness resources in support of all dogs on their own wellness journeys, pet parents can visit the IAMS Healthy Weight Dog Hub, and follow the IAMS brand on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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