FRANKLIN, TENN. — In order to raise awareness on the issue of pet obesity, Mars Pet Nutrition brand IAMS™ purposely placed a large dog balloon between two buildings enroute to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. The balloon is modeled after a real-life overweight dog named Waylon. The stunt tells the story of his wellness journey.
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s 2022 Pet Obesity US Prevalence Survey, over 59% of American dogs are overweight or obese, making it one of the most pressing issues in pet health. These statistics inspired the brand to call attention to the issue.
The wedged balloon was visible in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood on Sunday, Nov. 24, and prompted people to scan on-site QR codes connecting them to the IAMS Healthy Weight Dog Hub. In addition to teaching people about Waylon’s journey to achieve a healthier lifestyle, the hub also contains a variety of resources and tools to help support pups and pup parents on their own wellness journeys. The resources include tips for exercise and treating, a serving size calculator to aid with portion control and the IAMS Weight Assessment tool, which pet parents can use to determine if their dog is at a healthy weight.
Following a recent veterinary checkup, Waylon was found to be about 8 lbs. overweight. According to IAMS, Waylon and his pet parents were able to achieve their goals for his wellness journey through greater emphasis on exercise, as well as nutritional support from the brand, focusing on portion control and changing his diet to the IAMS Adult Healthy Weight Dry Food.
IAMS Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food is made with farm-raised chicken and formulated with L-carnitine to help turn fat into energy. When included as part of an overall wellness routine, the food can help dogs gradually return to a healthy weight.
“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.”
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