The GREENIES^® Brand team has announced the winners of its “Show Us Your Pet’s Healthy Smile” contest, an initiative to celebrate the joy that dogs and cats bring to their owners’ lives while raising awareness about the importance of a healthy mouth for pets.

This year, pet parents uploaded 9,958 photos of their smiling dogs and cats to smile.greenies.com for a chance to win a feature in The Bark magazine and a year’s supply of free GREENIES^® dental chews and treats. GREENIES^® dental chews and treats are the #1 veterinary-recommended dental chews and treats sold in pet specialty stores**.

Finnegan, the 2011 contest dog winner

Finalists were selected via popular vote, and a team of three expert judges, Cameron Woo, editor of The Bark magazine, Dr. Jan Bellows, a veterinary dental expert and Dorian Wagner of YourDailyCute.com, selected the winners based on the combination of a healthy mouth and a great smile.

Finnegan received almost 2,500 votes and was selected as this year’s dog winner. His healthy smile will grace the cover of the January issue of The Bark magazine, and he will receive a year’s supply of GREENIES^® Canine Dental Chews.

“Finnegan’s favorite thing is nature. He’s happiest outdoors fetching tennis balls, chasing squirrels and getting the neighborhood’s daily news through his nose,” say his parents, Kristen Byrne and Stewart Pelto. “He gets plenty of exercise, just the right amount of natural food and a whole bunch of quality time with parents. He’s also crazy for his daily bedtime treat—that special green chewy toothbrush!”

Monet, a shelter-adopted male, was selected as this year’s cat winner and will be featured in a special feline-themed insert in The Bark magazine. Monet will also receive a year’s supply of FELINE GREENIES^® Dental Treats in a variety of flavors.

Monet, the 2011 contest cat winner

“Monet is crazy about treats—if I gave into his begs every time, I’d have one chubby kitty!” says Karen Warren, Monet’s mom.

Both Finnegan and Monet’s owners understand the importance of a healthy mouth, but, notes 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. 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?”

To learn more about how maintain your pet’s oral health and overall wellness, visit greenies.com.

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

^®/™ Trademarks © The Nutro Company 2012.  U.S. Pat. Nos. D578,727 and D587,428.