Biggest Loser Host Alison Sweeney and Hill's Pet Nutrition Launch Effort to Help Pets Lose One Million Pounds

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May 06, 2011, 02:48 ET

TOPEKA, Kan., May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney and Hill's Pet Nutrition are inviting pet owners to join the Science Diet Million Pound Pledge – a national call-to-action to help the estimated 54 percent of overweight or obese(i) dogs and cats in the United States shed pounds and live a healthy, happy lifestyle. To participate, owners can visit www.petfit.com and pledge to help their pet lose weight. All participating pet owners will receive a "Try Me Free" rebate for a Science Diet® weight management food of their choice – redeemable at PetSmart® – and gain access to interactive weight loss tools to track their pet's success.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110506/NY97287 )

Alison Sweeney is an advocate for healthy living and inspires people to lose weight on a daily basis. Now, she is turning her attention to help pets lose weight and for good reason.

"Making sure that my family eats healthy and exercises is extremely important to me so when I found out that my dog Winky needed to lose a few pounds it was really upsetting," said Sweeney. "With the help of Science Diet, Winky is back on track and now I'm encouraging loving owners across the country to visit www.petfit.com and pledge to help their pets lose weight."

Did You Know...

If you feed a 20lb dog one ounce of cheddar cheese it's the equivalent of a 5'4" woman eating one and a half hamburgers or one chocolate bar
If you feed a 10lb cat one cup of milk it's the equivalent of a 5'4" woman eating four and a half hamburgers or five chocolate bars
Five extra pounds on a medium size dog like a Beagle is the equivalent of nearly 20 pounds on an average woman
Five extra pounds on a medium size cat like an American Shorthair is the equivalent of nearly 37 pounds on an average woman

Passionate concern about the importance of balanced nutrition in helping pets live long, healthy and happy lives inspired Dr. Mark Morris Sr., the founder of Hills, to create the first therapeutic pet food for weight control in 1949, Prescription Diet® r/d®. Hill's Science Diet® Weight Loss System® was introduced earlier this year to give owners of overweight pets an easy to follow and convenient system that provides everything needed to maintain a healthy weight.

Join Hill's in our efforts to improve pet health and happiness by joining the Science Diet® Million Pound Pledge, and learn more about the importance of balanced nutrition by visiting www.petfit.com.

About Hill's Pet Nutrition

Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Hill's® Prescription Diet® brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians, and Hill's® Science Diet® brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and finer pet specialty stores. Founded more than 60 years ago with a unique commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill's is committed to its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Hill's produces high-quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust and give to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the health of the practice. For more information about Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., and Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition™ visit HillsPet.com.

About Alison Sweeney

Alison Sweeney is busy juggling two jobs - host for NBC's hit reality series "The Biggest Loser" and the award-winning Sami Brady on NBC's hit daytime drama "Days of our Lives" - with her roles as a producer, author, wife and mother. Her latest book, The Mommy Diet, reveals the "diet" of nutrition, fitness and self-care that women can follow to look and feel fantastic – before and during pregnancy and after giving birth. Sweeney also is on the Entertainment Council of Feeding America and is an Ambassador for Stand Up To Cancer. She resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband Dave and their two children Ben (5) and Megan (almost 2).

(i) Association for Pet Obesity Prevention - 2010 Pet Obesity Study

*Owners should schedule a weight consultation with their veterinarian and inquire about a Hill's® Science Diet® weight management food that is right for their pet's needs.

"The Biggest Loser" is a registered trademark of Reveille, LLC and copyright of NBC Studios, Inc. and Reveille, LLC.

SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition