Survey Results Show New Trends And Hotter Weather Demand Smarter Flea And Tick Solutions For DIY Pet Owners

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As weather warms and triggers the onset of flea and tick season, nearly half (45 percent) of pet owners say they want to treat infestations themselves rather than make a trip to the veterinarian, according to a new Kelton survey released today by Adams™ products, a pet care brand in the Central Garden & Pet portfolio. This growing do-it-yourself (DIY) mindset is challenging for the majority of pet owners (73 percent) surveyed who admit they are not completely confident that they know the best way to treat and prevent the entire flea life cycle. Adding to the frustration, 81 percent report their first pass at a solution was ineffective as fleas and ticks reappeared. The brand is rolling out its award-winning pet, home and yard solutions, including the 2013 Pet Product of the Year Adams™ Smart Shield^® Applicator and a new interactive website, to empower savvy pet owners looking for smart and easy ways to tackle pesky fleas and ticks on their own.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130506/LA07553)

The success of the Adams™ product innovations are in keeping with other DIY pet trends revealed by the Kelton survey, including:

• Dealing with fleas and ticks is a fact of life for close to three-quarters (74 percent) of America's cat and dog owners who say their pets have had fleas or ticks at least once.
• More than three-quarters (77 percent) of pet owners don't know that only 5% of the flea population can be seen, leaving 95 percent of the infestation to be practically invisible because they are at the microscopic flea egg, larva and pupa stages.
• Over the last few years, more than one third (35 percent) of pet owners have made changes to their pet's care due to the economy. Specifically – more than one in three (37 percent) of these pet owners say the economy has caused them to rely less on vets when it comes to flea and tick prevention.
• More than one in five (22 percent) admittedly imperfect pet parents agree they'd feel like better cat and dog owners if they could save their pets and household from the threat of fleas and ticks in their household.

"As seen in the Kelton survey, infestations can be overwhelming and easy to underestimate considering most pet owners are not aware that the majority of the flea population is at the microscopic egg stage, getting ready to hatch and worsen the problem," said Steve LeVeau, Director of Marketing for Animal Health, Adams Pet Products. "To effectively treat against an infestation, you need to kill the visible adult fleas on the pet as well as eliminate the threat of the eggs hatching in your home and/or around your yard. DIY pet owners are drawn to the comprehensive line of Adams™ products because our products are proven to effectively attack the full flea life cycle on their pet and in their homes. Using Adams™ products save money when compared to vet visits and are conveniently available at stores nationwide."

A shining star in the Adams™ line-up is the Adams^™ Smart Shield^® Applicator, winner of the coveted 2013 Pet Product of the Year honor following a robust survey of more than 50,000 everyday shoppers. DIY pet owners appreciate how easy it is to insert the treatment tube into the reusable Smart Shield^® applicator and effectively apply flea and tick treatment to their pet for less cost than most vet brands. The patent-pending design helps part fur for direct application to the pet's skin (where the bugs live) and effectively keeps liquid off hands, empowering pet owners with the confidence to apply treatment by themselves, without a mess.

Adding to the DIY pet owners' arsenal of smarter solutions is Adams™ products' refreshed interactive website at www.adamspetcare.com/news. In addition to helpful insights from pet health experts, pet owners can sign up for the Smarter Pet Care^TM Club which offers a $2 off coupon for Adams™ products, and helpful flea and tick product application reminders. Consumers can purchase products online, or use the convenient online store locator to find nearby stores that carry Adams™ products. Adams™ products are sold at retailers nationwide including Walmart, PetSmart, Petco, Kroger, Lowes, Publix, HEB, Amazon.com, and local pet stores.

*Product of the Year USA, the nation's largest consumer-driven packaged good competition announced Adams^TM Smart Shield^® Applicator as the Pet Care Category Winner for 2013. This coveted vote of consumer confidence is based on a robust survey of 50,138 everyday shoppers and recognized nationwide as a trusted benchmark for the most innovative products on the market.

Kelton Survey Methodology
The Adams Flea & Tick Survey was conducted between January 2nd and 9th, 2013 among 1,009 Americans ages 18 and over who own at least one dog or cat, using an email invitation and an online survey. Kelton is a leading global insights firm serving as a partner to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and thousands of smaller companies and organizations.

About Adams™
Adams™ products take a smarter approach to pet care and make protecting your family, pet, home, and yard easier and more effective. The Adams™ line of products, which has been recommended by veterinarians for more than 30 years, includes topical products, shampoos, collars and sprays for your home, yard, dogs, puppies, cats and kittens and is available almost everywhere pet products are sold. For a complete product list and more information, visit www.adamspetcare.com/news.

About Central Garden & Pet
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON®, SMART SEED® and THE REBELS®; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON®; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO®, SEVIN®, IRONITE® and OVER-N-OUT®; and decorative outdoor patio products and the brands NORCAL POTTERY®, NEW ENGLAND POTTERY® and MATTHEWS FOUR SEASONS™. We also provide a host of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS™ and ZODIAC®; aquatics and reptile and the brands OCEANIC SYSTEMS®, AQUEON® and ZILLA®; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE®, SUPER PET® and CRITTER TRAIL®; dog & cat and the brands TFH™, NYLABONE®, FOUR PAWS®, PINNACLE® and AVODERM®; and equine and the brands FARNAM®, VITA FLEX® and HORSE HEALTH^TM PRODUCTS. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 3,600 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at www.central.com.

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SOURCE Adams Pet Products