From Your Date To Your Dog, Make Sure Everyone Has Fresh Breath This Valentine's Day

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- There's probably a reason why February is considered Oral Care Month: come Valentine's Day, there sure is a lot of smooching going on. And to be kissable, your mouth needs to be in tip-top shape – which means brushing, flossing and mouth-washing. But this year, taking the same kissable-care for your dog as you would your own oral health is easy, thanks to PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats for Dogs.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130206/CG55164)

Dogs are notorious for stealing a smooch or two from their owners, so even if you don't have a partner this Valentine's Day, your dog is always there to provide unconditional love. With DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats, pet owners can easily help clean their dog's teeth and keep their breath fresh. When you brush your teeth in the morning, give one of these tasty treats to your dog to not only work to help banish bad breath, but also assist with overall oral care including tartar control, because dogs want to be kissable, too.

"This Valentine's Day, when everyone is stepping up their own oral health care, we focus on remembering that our canines need attention, too," said Dr. Tiffany Bierer, Health and Nutritional Sciences Manager, Mars Petcare US, the makers of PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® Treats. "Dental problems are the number one health issue veterinarians see in dogs, and according to research from The Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, bad breath is a sign of potential oral care issues including gum disease. That's why we make it a priority to offer a variety of products for dogs that have oral care benefits, which help reduce plaque and tartar build-up and minimize any 'unkissable' moments."

Now with PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats, our furry pals can be confident their mouth is in tip-top shape for any Valentine's Day kisses coming their way. Just like the original DENTASTIX^®, the chewy texture is clinically proven to reduce tartar build up, which can contribute to gum disease, by up to 80 percent*. To help keep breath fresh and mouths clean, the DENTASTIX^® Fresh Treats contain a patented ingredient combination.

For those dog owners ready to get their canine's breath in Valentine's Day shape right away, here are some quick and easy oral health care tips for dogs:

1. Feed one DENTASTIX^® Treat (either Original or new Fresh variety) a day for maximum effectiveness. They taste great and their chewy texture helps clean down to the gum line. Look for the patented X-shaped treat.
2. Brush your dog's teeth regularly and check your dog's mouth for signs of gum disease—like bad breath—or red, swollen gums. Notify your vet if you notice these symptoms.
3. Take your dog to the vet on a regular basis—this is imperative for your dog's oral and overall health. Your vet will look for signs of gum disease, provide treatments, and recommend an oral care routine.

Dog owners looking for fun ways to show their commitment to keeping their dog's breath kissable are in luck as the popular DENTURE YOUR DOG™ online application is now available as a mobile application, so dog lovers can picture their furry pal's pearly whites anywhere, anytime. To use the application, pet owners can simply upload a photo of their dog using their mobile device and "denturize" it by adding the smile, words and voice of their choice. The application is available for download on iTunes.

Being able to envision what their four legged friend might say to them or how they would dress up in a situation is a silly, but fun way to make sure dog owners take good care of their pet's teeth. Once "denturized," pet owners can also share the photos of their dog's fresh, smooch-ready mouth by tweeting them to the @PedigreeUS Twitter handle.

PEDIGREE^® DENTASTIX^® is the world's leading oral care treat. For more information visit www.pedigree.com.

About the PEDIGREE^® Brand
The 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, the PEDIGREE^® Brand is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources. For more information, please visit www.Pedigree.com.

About Mars Petcare US
Mars Petcare US is the U.S. operations of the world's largest petcare company at the privately-held Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare US produces some of the world's most beloved pet care brands, including PEDIGREE^® Food for Dogs, CESAR^® Canine Cuisine, SHEBA^® Food for Cats, WHISKAS^® Food for Cats, THE GOODLIFE RECIPE^® Brand, and TEMPTATIONS^® Treats for Cats, as well as exclusive brands products for some of the leading retailers in the U.S. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., more than 2,400 Mars Petcare US associates make, sell and distribute its high-quality pet food from 15 manufacturing facilities located in communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

^®/™ Trademarks ^© Mars Incorporated 2013. US Patent D492,836. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

*Average reduction was 47%

SOURCE PEDIGREE Brand