Keeping Your Pet’s Smile Healthy (NAPSA)—While mostpet owners understand the importanceof a healthy mouthfor themselves, they often overlook that a healthy mouth is just as importantfor their pets. Andperiodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection in the gums sup- porting the teeth, is the No. 1 health problem in pets. Studies have shown that the bacteria from periodontal disease may be linked to 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 3. Regular checkups by the veterinarian, tooth cleaning and treatments as necessary and daily care such as tooth brushing, foods with a dental benefit and dental chews can help to keep your pet’s smile—and your pet—healthy. “It’s important that pet owners know about the significance of a healthy mouth for their pets. Daily oral care, including dental chewsand dental treats, will help to keep your pet’s smile healthy. ited greenies.com to upload a photo of their smiling pets and to learn more about preventingperiodontal disease. Lucy, a 3-year-old German shepherd, won the contest prize— a year’s supply of GREENIES dental Many veterinary dental specialists believe that a clean, healthy mouth may actually prolong a chews—byreceiving more than doesn’t want to have more time to Lucy a GREENIES dental chew a pet’s life. And what pet owner spend with their pet?” said Dr. Jan Bellows, a veterinarian and pet dental specialist in Westin, Fla. The Greenies Company encourages pet oral health by educating pet parents about the importanceof a healthy mouth for their pets. As part of its “Show Us Your Pet’s Healthy Smile” contest, more than 7,000 pet parents vis- 31,000 votes. Cheryl, Lucy’s pet parent said, “Being able to give day will be such a treat. It is nice knowing that I will be able to continue to keep her mouth healthy.” To learn more about keeping your pet’s healthy smile and to get valuable coupons worth $2.00 off a 12-ounce package of canine GREE- NIES dental chews and $1.00 off FELINE GREENIES dental treats, visit www.greenies.com.
