PEDIGREE(R) DENTASTIX(R) Daily Oral Care Treats Reminds Pet Owners to Care for Their Canine's Canines

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet owners often worry about the physical health of their animals. Are they eating right, are they getting enough exercise, is their skin and coat healthy? But what about a pet's oral health? With February marking Dental Health Month, PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Daily Oral Care Treats for Dogs is kicking off an effort to raise awareness about the importance of good pet oral care. The effort challenges pet owners to make their dog's oral health a priority, which means taking the necessary steps to properly care for their dog's teeth.

The physical health of a pet is more closely tied to their oral health than you may think. Poor oral health can lead to bad breath, tooth loss and has been linked to more serious issues like heart, lung and kidney problems. Yet a recent survey conducted by PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Treats found that only 32 percent of people report taking their dog to the vet for an annual dental cleaning*.

This stat is concerning given that four out of five dogs over the age of three already have some level of gum disease**. Since doggie dentures aren't an option, taking a preventative approach to oral care for your dog is key. That starts with an annual teeth cleaning for your pet at the vet along , with daily tooth brushing and feeding of oral care treats like PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Treats, clinically-proven to reduce tartar buildup by up to 80%.

Dog owners who want a fun way to show their commitment to care for their canine's canines can log onto www.dogsrule.com/oralcare and enter the DENTASTIX® Denture Your Dog Contest, which was officially launched by "Gossip Girl's," Kelly Rutherford outside of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.

Petowners can join Rutherford by uploading a photo of their dog and "denturizing" it by adding the smile, words and voice of their choice. An advertisement of the winning dog will be featured in People magazine. The contest runs from February 11 to April 30, 2010.

"This contest is a fun way to remind people to take care of their dog's teeth and gums," said Rutherford. "Being able to denturize Oliver and envision what he might say to me in that situation was pretty silly, but with that image in my head it'll be hard for me not to think about making sure I take good care of his teeth."

To enter the contest or for more information on how to care for your dog's teeth, go to www.dogsrule.com/oralcare.

About PEDIGREE® Brand

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, PEDIGREE® Brand is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources.

About Mars Petcare US

Mars Petcare U.S. is the U.S. petcare operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Mars Petcare U.S. employs more than 3,000 associates in the United States, with 20 facilities nationwide and owns some of the world's favorite pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats, and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand. In addition, Mars, Incorporated owns the portfolio of brands produced by ROYAL CANIN USA Inc., NUTRO Products, Inc. and GREENIES® Brand.

*Survey conducted online (January 28 - February 3, 2010) with a random sample of 1015 men and women, 18+, who own a dog by Impulse Research on behalf of the PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Treats.

**American Veterinary Dental Society.

®/™ Trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2010

SOURCE PEDIGREE(R) Brand