Device uses patented technology to help pets lose weight by controlling both portions and access.
Eighty-seven percent of overweight pets lost weight during successful field trials.
BURLINGTON, Conn., Feb. 05, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research shows that pet obesity is the number-one chronic disease affecting pets, leading to serious health conditions that shorten pets’ lives. Vet Innovations announced today that the PortionPro Rx is now available as a tool for veterinarians and pet owners to boost compliance with weight-loss recommendations.
The PortionPro Rx is an intelligent pet feeder that uses proprietary access-control technology to ensure that dogs and cats follow prescription diets and prevent food theft between pets in multi-pet households. Veterinarians can prescribe the PortionPro Rx through Vetsource™, the only industry-endorsed home delivery pharmacy provider.
Pet Obesity: A Growing Problem
Banfield Pet Hospitals recently released its 2017 State of Pet Health™ Report highlighting a widespread trend of overweight pets nationwide. According to the report, Banfield witnessed a 158% increase in overweight dogs and a 169% increase in overweight cats since 2007.
Similarly, Nationwide Insurance announced earlier this year that its members filed more than 1.4 million pet insurance claims in 2016, of which 20% were for conditions related to pet obesity, equaling more than $62 million in veterinary expenses. This represents a 24% growth in obesity-related claims over the last four years.
“Obesity remains the leading health threat to our nation’s pets, despite the best efforts of the veterinary community,” said Ernie Ward, DVM, Founder of the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention. “With Vet Innovation’s PortionPro Rx, we now have a solution that veterinarians can prescribe to help pet owners more easily administer weight-loss diets, especially in multi-pet households.”
“I’m always getting questions from clients about how to feed specific diets to specific pets,” added Kara Burns, MS, MEd, LVT, VTS (Nutrition). “Until now, we’ve often had to default to one diet for all pets in a home, based on the greatest medical need. The PortionPro Rx is a perfect way to address the need for different diets and portion control in a multi-pet environment.”
What Makes the PortionPro Rx Different?
The PortionPro Rx uses patented RFID technology to control both portions and access. When the assigned pet approaches, the feeder door opens so the pet can eat. If an unassigned pet approaches, the door closes until that unassigned pet leaves. The device also measures and dispenses the recommended amount of food for the assigned pet to control overeating.
“The PortionPro Rx is a newly available approach that complements what the veterinarian is already doing to help patients lose weight,” said Troy Hexter, DVM and Chief Medical Officer of Vet Innovations. “It works beautifully in homes with multiple pets to minimize mealtime chaos and ensure that the right pet eats the right food in the right amount. Combining the PortionPro Rx device with a veterinarian-prescribed weight-loss diet is the ideal way to help pets lose weight and live longer, happier lives.”
Success in Field Trials
Vet Innovations worked with Aviants Insight & Strategy LLC, an independent third-party market research firm, to conduct a series of field trials during 2017. One hundred households with pets used the PortionPro Rx feeder for three months to measure the appropriate food portions, regulate the timing of feedings, and prevent food theft between pets.
As a result of the trial:
- 87% of overweight pets lost weight during the trial.
- 97% of pet owners said food stealing between pets was eliminated.
- 83% of pet owners said it was easier to follow a prescription diet.
- 86% of pet owners saw reduced stress and frustration at mealtime.
Pet owners with multiple pets found the device particularly useful for pet weight loss. “Our cat Bear has been on weight-loss diets for years and they didn’t work,” said Meg McCracken, who participated in the field trials with her two cats, Bear and Maggie. “With the help of the PortionPro Rx, Bear has been able to lose 2 pounds in just two months. I’ve already noticed that he’s happier and healthier.”
Veterinarians who are interested in prescribing the PortionPro Rx can do so through the Vetsource Home Delivery service. Vetsource also provides technical support for pet owner questions regarding the PortionPro Rx. For more information, visit https://portionprorx.com/get-started/.
About Vet Innovations, Inc.
Vet Innovations’ mission is to dramatically improve the lives of pets, pet parents, and veterinarians through groundbreaking technology to reduce pet obesity and enhance wellness. The company’s proprietary robotic-based electromagnetic technology automatically identifies individual pets to control their access to devices such as the PortionPro Rx and other future products under development. Visit portionprorx.com to find out more and see how this first-of-its-kind device works, or contact Vet Innovations directly at vetinnovations.com. Follow us on Twitter (@vetinnovations) and LinkedIn.
Images and video for media use are available for download at
http://www.vetinnovations.com/media-resources/
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5f3352f-ac42-4dd7-a46b-3dfec6ee0c4d