Think a Dog's Mouth is Cleaner Than a Human's? Think Again.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  A dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's. A pet's saliva can miraculously cure human cuts and scrapes. These are common beliefs held by pet owners, according to a new study commissioned by The GREENIES® Brand, makers of the #1 vet‐recommended pet specialty dental chews and treats(1). But veterinary dental experts urge pet owners not to believe so quickly, as many of these beliefs aren't necessarily true.

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Among the most commonly held beliefs, the study found that almost half of pet owners believe that dogs' mouths are cleaner than a human's and that any type of chewing is good for a dog's teeth. It also found that about 40 percent think it is normal for their pets to have stinky breath. About one‐third of pet owners believe that a dog's saliva can help cure human wounds(2).

"There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding a pet's oral health," said veterinary dental expert Dr. Jan Bellows, incoming president of the American Veterinary Dental College. "Dogs' mouths are certainly not cleaner than a human's. Dogs often carry a variety of germs and bacteria in their mouths that stem from buildup of plaque and tartar that can potentially make humans sick through contact with saliva. Many pet owners also believe that any type of chewing is good for their dogs, but tooth fractures are a common occurrence in pets because teeth can only withstand a certain amount of pressure from hard objects before they break. Pets chewing on inflexible items like bones, ice cubes or nylon toys are often in danger of tooth breakage. And while smelly breath in pets is common, pet owners who believe this is normal may be missing the signs of poor oral health or potential dental disease."

A healthy mouth is essential to the overall wellbeing of pets, but misguided information about pet oral health can affect more than just our pets' mouths. For proper pet oral health, veterinarians advise daily brushing or giving Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved dental treats, and at least annual oral exams by a veterinarian with professional cleanings as recommended.

"Pet owners who are knowledgeable about their furry companions' oral health will avoid the pitfalls of commonly‐held myths and enable the best care for everyone's wellbeing," said Dr. Bellows.

To learn more about the factual information behind these commonly accepted pet oral health myths and how GREENIES® Dental Chews and Treats work to keep pets' mouths healthy, visit Facebook.com/greenies.

About The Nutro Company

The Nutro Company is a leading manufacturer of natural* pet food products sold exclusively at pet specialty stores. The company has been making "The World's Best Pet Food" for more than 80 years and is dedicated to quality, excellence and innovation in dog and cat nutrition offering healthful formulas for every pet's life stage, activity level and size. The Nutro Company's family of brands includes MAX®, NATURAL CHOICE® and ULTRA™ pet food brands in addition to the GREENIES® brands, which include the #1 vet recommended pet specialty dental chews**, PILL POCKETS® treats and JointCare treats. For more information, please visit www.nutro.com and www.greenies.com.

(1) Among veterinarians that recommend dental chews/treats for at home oral care
(2) Oral Myths Study 982 Pet Owners, November 2011, Conducted by Trone® Research

* Natural fortified with added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients
** Among veterinarians that recommend dental chews/treats for at home oral care

®/™ Trademarks © The Nutro Company 2012. U.S. Pat. Nos. D587,428 and D578,727

SOURCE The GREENIES Brand