PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Fresh Treats Now Help Fight "Dog Breath"

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® product line now offers a new product to combat an often over-looked - and sometimes embarrassing - canine dilemma: the feared "dog breath." Dog owners who have noticed this problem, but have been too uncomfortable to say anything to their beloved four-legged friend, are in luck – the PEDIGREE^® lineup now offers new DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats for Dogs, a great-tasting treat that dogs will love. These new treats not only  work to help banish bad breath, but also assist with overall oral care including tartar control, because dogs don't want bad breath, either.

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Oral care is the number one health issue veterinarians see in dogs and according to research from The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, bad breath is a sign of potential oral care issues including gum disease. In fact, four out of five dogs over the age of three show signs of gum disease*, and most pet owners are completely unaware of the potential long-term health issues associated with this issue. Advanced, untreated gum disease can be associated with the development of other diseases in dogs including heart and kidney disease as well as some forms of cancer. Plaque and tartar accumulation on the teeth are the leading causes of gum disease and contribute to bad breath. That's why the PEDIGREE^® brand created DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats for Dogs.

"At PEDIGREE, we take oral care seriously," said Dr. Tiffany Bierer, Health and Nutritional Sciences Manager, Mars Petcare US, the makers of PEDIGREE^® Food for Dogs. "That's why we make it a priority to offer a variety of products for dogs that have oral care benefits. Combined with regular visits to your veterinarian and a consistent oral care routine, these products help combat oral care issues and minimize those bad dog breath moments."

Now with new PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats for Dogs, our furry pals can be confident with their fresh breath when playing with other doggie friends and human companions. Just like the original DENTASTIX^®, the chewy texture is clinically proven to reduce tartar build up, which can contribute to gum disease, by up to 80 percent**. To help freshen that breath, the DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats for Dogs contain a patented active ingredient combination.

For those dog owners ready to tackle tartar and bad breath right away, here are some quick and easy oral health care tips for dogs:

1. Feed one DENTASTIX^® Treat (either Original or new Fresh variety) a day for maximum effectiveness. They taste great and their chewy texture helps clean down to the gum line. Look for the patented X-shaped treat.
2. Brush your dog's teeth regularly and check your dog's mouth for signs of gum disease—like bad breath—or red, swollen gums. Notify your vet if you notice these symptoms.
3. Take your dog to the vet on a regular basis—this is imperative for your dog's oral and overall health. Your vet will look for signs of gum disease, provide treatments, and recommend an oral care routine.

PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® is the world's leading oral care treat. For more information on PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^®, visit www.pedigree.com or www.facebook.com/pedigree. Also, more oral care tips for pet owners are available on http://www.pedigree.com/really-good-food/dentastix-treats-small-medium.aspx#overview.

About the PEDIGREE^® Brand

The PEDIGREE^® Brand is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, the PEDIGREE^® Brand is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources. For more information, please visit www.Pedigree.com.

About Mars Petcare US

Mars Petcare US is the U.S. operations of the world's largest petcare company at the privately-held Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare US produces some of the world's most beloved pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS® Food for Cats, THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand and TEMPTATIONS® Treats for Cats, as well as exclusive brands products for some of the leading retailers in the U.S. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., more than 2,400 Mars Petcare US associates make, sell and distribute its high-quality pet food from 15 manufacturing facilities located in communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

^®/™ Trademarks ^© Mars Incorporated 2012. US Patent D492,836.   
*American Veterinary Medical Association   
**Average reduction was 47%

SOURCE PEDIGREE Brand