The GREENIES® Brand Helps Keep Pets' Smiles Healthy

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The GREENIES® Brand kicks off its third annual "Show Us Your Pet's Healthy Smile" contest today at http://smile.greenies.com. This contest is dedicated to increasing pet owners' awareness of the importance of a pet's healthy mouth while celebrating the happiness pets bring to their lives.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110824/CL56841LOGO )

This year's contest is open to both dog and cat participants. To enter, pet owners can upload the best picture of their cat or dog showing off their pearly whites to http://smile.greenies.com and then encourage their friends and family to vote. This year's judges, veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows, Cameron Woo, editor for The Bark magazine and Dorian Wagner, author of pet blog Your Daily Cute, will review the entrants with the top-ten votes in both the dog and cat categories and determine the winners and two runners up for each.

The first place winner in the dog category will receive a year's supply of free GREENIES® Canine Dental Chews to help care for their pet's teeth at-home every day. The winning dog will also be featured on the cover of the January/February 2012 issue of The Bark magazine and will receive a free year subscription to the magazine. First place in the cat category will receive a year's supply of free FELINE GREENIES® Dental Treats for daily control of plaque and tartar. The winning cat will be featured on the opening page of the eight-page cat special section in The Bark and will receive a free year subscription to the magazine as well.

While most pet owners understand the importance of a healthy mouth for themselves, many often forget that a healthy mouth is just as important for their pets.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, three out of four pets will suffer from some degree of an oral health issue by age three. Studies have shown that poor dental health may be linked to risk factors for developing heart, kidney, liver and respiratory illness.

Through the "Show Us Your Pet's Healthy Smile" contest, The GREENIES® Brand seeks to educate pet owners on the preventive measures they can take to help care for their pet's oral health, starting with daily at-home oral care. Caring for pets' mouths every day with tooth brushing, Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) approved dental chews or treats, or dental diets can help ensure that plaque and tartar build-up is reduced.

"It's important that pet owners understand how significant a healthy mouth is for the overall health of their pet. Many veterinary dental specialists believe that a clean, healthy mouth can actually prolong a pet's life," said Dr. Jan Bellows, Diplomate American Veterinary Dental College.

The GREENIES® Brands include the number-one veterinarian-recommended canine dental chews and feline dental treats available in pet specialty stores**. The "Show Us Your Pet's Healthy Smile" contest starts August 24 and runs through October 21. For full official contest rules and contest entry visit http://smile.greenies.com.

About The GREENIES® Brand:

The GREENIES® brands are a part of The Nutro Company, dedicated to advancing pet health through home care. For over a decade, we've been creating high quality, purposeful treats that taste great and deliver health benefits with every bite. Our family of nutritious products includes GREENIES® Canine Dental Chews, FELINE GREENIES® Dental Treats, GREENIES® PILL POCKETS® Treats, GREENIES® JointCare Treats and GREENIES® Veterinary Formula Canine Dental Chews.  For more information, 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® and ULTRA™ pet food brands in addition to the GREENIES® brands, which include the number-one veterinarian recommended pet specialty dental chews**, GREENIES® PILL POCKETS® Treats and GREENIES® JointCare Canine Treats.  For more information, please visit www.nutro.com and www.greenies.com.

*Natural fortified with added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients

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

®/™ Trademarks © The Nutro Company 2011. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

SOURCE The GREENIES(R) Brand