Picture-Perfect Pooch From Walnut Creek, CA, Named Winner of PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® 'Denture Your Dog' Contest

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Walnut Creek based, Finnley Binai, has been named the winner of the national PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® "Denture Your Dog" contest. More than 9,000 dog owners across the nation entered the contest by uploading a photo of their dog and denturizing it by adding the smile, words and voice of their choice, yet only one special canine rose to the top. As the grand prize winner, Finnley, a part Chow/part Australian Shepherd pooch, will appear in an advertisement for the brand in an upcoming issue of People magazine, as well as receive a one-year supply of PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Daily Oral Care Treats for Dogs.

"It's an honor to have Finnley selected as the winner of the 'Denture Your Dog' contest and to be a part of a program that is focused on educating pet owners on the importance of dental health," said Laura Binai, Finnley's owner. "It was funny to see Finnley with 'dentures' but also reminded me that pet owners need to make oral health a priority."

In celebration of Dental Health Month this past February, PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX® Daily Oral Care Treats for Dogs launched the contest, held February 11, 2010 – April 30, 2010, to raise awareness about the need to care for your canine's canines. Many pet owners are unaware that poor oral health can lead to bad breath and tooth loss and has been linked to more serious issues like heart, lung and kidney problems.  

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® Daily Oral Care Treats for Dogs, clinically-proven to reduce tartar buildup by up to 80%.

"Four out of five dogs over the age of three have gum disease** which is an alarming stat," said Anne Herrington, Vice President of Marketing, Mars Petcare US, the makers of PEDIGREE® DENTASTIX®. "We're excited to recognize Finnley Binai as the winner of this year's 'Denture Your Dog' contest and celebrate his owner's commitment to making pet oral care a priority."

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., The Nutro Company, and GREENIES® Brand.

**American Veterinary Dental Society.

®/™ Trademarks © Mars, Incorporated 2010

SOURCE PEDIGREE(R) Brand