The GREENIES® Brand Helps Keep Pets' Smiles Healthy

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The GREENIES® Brand has announced the winner of its second annual "Show Us Your Pet's Healthy Smile" contest, an initiative aimed at increasing pet owners' awareness of the importance of a healthy mouth for their pets.

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This year, over 5,000 pet parents uploaded photos of their smiling pets to www.greenies.com to learn more about preventing periodontal disease in their pets and for a chance to win free GREENIES® dental treats for one year. GREENIES® Canine Dental Chews -- the #1 veterinary-recommended pet specialty dental chews** -- carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council's Seal of Acceptance, awarded only to those pet dental products that are proven to help control tartar and/or plaque that contribute to periodontal disease.

The top 10 finalists were chosen based on votes received, and the healthiest mouth was selected by Dr. Jan Bellows, a veterinarian and pet dental specialist, and Cameron Woo, editor of The Bark magazine. Bentley, an English Bull Terrier, received more than 100,000 votes and was selected as this year's contest winner.

Bentley is very much the center of owner Christine Cimellaro's life. "He is the love of my life," she said. "Bentley is an absolute clown and when I've had a horrible day, he always knows how to make it better."

Cimellaro hopes that Bentley's recent win will help to shed a more positive light on bully breeds, especially Bull Terriers.

"Bull Terriers get a lot of bad publicity," she said. "What people don't understand is that with the correct training and more specifically, the right owner, Bull Terriers are incredible dogs with so much to give."

According to Cimellaro, Bentley is enjoying the spotlight and continues to smile every day.  As the winner of the "Show Us Your Pet's Healthy Smile" contest, Bentley will be able to continue to keep his smile healthy with a GREENIES® Canine Dental Chew each day, courtesy of the GREENIES® Brand.

"It's important that pet owners know about the significance of a healthy mouth for their pets. Many veterinary dental specialists believe that a clean, healthy mouth can actually prolong a pet's life. And what pet owner doesn't want to have more time to spend with their pet?" said Dr. Bellows.

While most pet owners understand the importance of a healthy mouth for themselves, they often overlook that a healthy mouth is just as important for their pets. And periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection in the gums supporting the teeth, is the number one health problem in pets. Studies have shown that the bacteria from periodontal disease may be linked to risk factors for developing heart, kidney, liver and respiratory disease.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, three out of four pets suffer from some degree of periodontal disease by age three. Regular check-ups by the veterinarian, tooth cleaning and treatments as necessary and daily care such as tooth brushing, a dental formula diet and dental chews can help to keep your pet's smile -- and your pet -- healthy.

October is National Pet Wellness Month. To learn more about how maintain your dog's oral health and overall wellness, visit www.greenies.com.

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® dog and cat foods and ULTRA™ food for dogs in addition to the GREENIES® brands, which include the #1 vet recommended pet specialty dental chews** and PILL POCKETS® treats.  For more information, please visit www.thenutrocompany.com and www.greenies.com.

*Natural fortified with added vitamins and minerals

**Among veterinarians that recommend dental chews/treats for at home oral care

®/™ Trademarks © The Nutro Company 2010.  U.S. Pat. No. D587,428

Related Links

Learn more about our winner and the top ten similes of 2010!

For more information about keeping your pet's smile healthy, visit Greenies.com

SOURCE The GREENIES(R) Brand