Now With Milk-Bone® Brushing Chews™ Your Dog Can Finally Brush His Own Teeth

SAN FRANCISCO, March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogs everywhere can now take oral care into their own paws! Big Heart Pet Brands, the makers of Milk-Bone^® brand dog treats, are changing the way pet parents think about their dog's oral health with the introduction of Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ dental treats. When fed daily, Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ dental treats are clinically proven to be as effective as brushing a dog's teeth twice per week based on the reduction of tartar and bad breath. Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ are so effective that they have earned the trusted Veterinary Oral Health Council's (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance, the pet industry's equivalent of the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal, for retarding calculus accumulation. The new product will be available wherever Milk-Bone^® products are sold.

"Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ dental treats give pet parents a clinically-proven, easy and affordable solution to help take care of their dog's oral health", said Geoff Tanner, Vice President, Pet Snacks for Big Heart Pet Brands. "This transformative new product extends what Milk-Bone^® has represented for over 100 years – celebrating the loving connection pet parents share with their dogs. We developed Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ to revolutionize at-home oral care, giving pet parents the opportunity to dramatically improve their dogs' well-being."

CHEW ON THIS
Despite veterinarians' recommendations for pet owners to practice at-home brushing and schedule periodic professional teeth cleanings for their pets, more than 80 percent of dogs develop periodontal disease by 3 years of age, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Research indicates that only half of dog owners are aware they should brush their dog's teeth, and very few actually comply, as it is difficult for the owner and uncomfortable for the pet (studies by the American Animal Hospital Association reveal that nearly two-thirds of pet owners don't provide their pets with recommended dental care).

"As a veterinarian, I am not only the dog's doctor, but I am also the dog's dentist," Dr. Jan Bellows, DVM. "Daily brushing is the gold standard for a dog's oral care, but I know that brushing a dog's teeth is not exactly an easy or pleasant task for the pet or pet parent. The solution – feeding Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ daily – can become part of a regular routine to effectively and dramatically improve dog's dental health, helping to prevent dental disease." Dr. Bellows is a board certified veterinary dentist and practices in Weston, Fla. He is currently president of the American Veterinary Dental College.

NOVEL DOG-FRIENDLY DESIGN
"Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ are in the patented shape of a bone with a 75 degree twist, along with nubs and ridges designed to help clean down to the gum line like the bristles on a toothbrush, even reaching the back teeth," said Steve Bautista, Director of Research and Development for Big Heart Pet Brands. "Additionally, it is a low-calorie option with proven dental benefits and a taste dogs enjoy."

INNOVATIVE DESIGN
Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ dental treats come in a package designed to be reminiscent of a toothpaste box. Each product package features a recommendation for annual veterinary dental check-ups and the VOHC's recommendation of daily brushing for optimal effectiveness, as well as the support of the VOHC Seal of Acceptance. Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ will be offered in two sizes: Mini, for dogs 5-24 pounds; and Small/Medium, for dogs 25-74 pounds, as well as a value size box. The suggested retail price is between $4 and $5 per box.

For more information on Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™ dental treats, visit www.milkbone.com  

About Milk-Bone® Brushing Chews™
Milk-Bone® dog snacks, the brand pet parents have loved and trusted since 1908, has created Milk-Bone® Brushing Chews™, a new dental health innovation designed to revolutionize pet parents' ability to care for their dog's oral health at home. When fed daily, Milk-Bone® Brushing Chews™ are clinically proven to be as effective as brushing a dog's teeth twice per week based on reduction of tartar and halitosis, and have earned the Veterinary Oral Health Council's Seal of Acceptance for the product's effectiveness in retarding calculus accumulation. In combination with an annual veterinary dental check-up, Milk-Bone® Brushing Chews™ will nourish and enrich the lives of pets and pet parents alike. For more information on Milk-Bone^® Brushing Chews™, visit milkbone.com.

About Big Heart Pet Brands
Big Heart Pet Brands is the largest standalone producer, distributor and marketer of premium quality, branded pet food and pet snacks for the U.S. retail market. The company's brands include Meow Mix^®, Kibbles 'n Bits^®, Milk-Bone^®, 9Lives^®, Natural Balance^®, Pup-Peroni^®, Gravy Train^®, Nature's Recipe^®, Canine Carry Outs^®, Milo's Kitchen^® and other brand names. Big Heart Pet Brands' portfolio enjoys strong U.S. market share, and is #1 in the dog snacks category, #2 in Dry/Wet Cat and #3 in Dry Dog.

Big Heart Pet Brands doesn't believe in just owning pets. It believes in loving them. The company is committed to the well-being of pets and the people who love them. With a focus on nourishing the bodies and spirits of cats and dogs, Big Heart Pet Brands makes quality products that meet pets' needs and exceed pet parents' expectations. Its portfolio of brands, with a foundation in food and treats, caters to every pet life stage and every family's budget through the availability and accessibility of its products.

For more information, visit the Big Heart Pet Brands website at www.bigheartpet.com.

SOURCE Big Heart Pet Brands