FROM THE NOSE TO THE TAIL:
Thanks to my Veterinarian, I AM a Healthy PET print print this page

TORONTO, ON (February 5, 2009)- This winter, Iams and Yahoo! Pets are asking Canadian pet owners to share their heart-warming stories about their veterinarians. The Thanks to my Veterinarian, I AM a Healthy PET online contest recognizes the essential role veterinarians play in the well-being of Canadian pets.

“The partnership you develop with your veterinarian is one of the most important relationships you will have as pet parents,” said David Kozuch, Veterinarian and Manager Technical Services and Academic Affairs, P&G. “Veterinarians are pet passionate people that are dedicated to providing the best health possible for all animals. Recognizing these professionals through the Thanks to my Veterinarian, I AM a Healthy PET campaign is a great way for pet owners to thank their veterinarians for the role they play in their pet’s happiness.

Checking-In On Your Pet’s Health
Just as it is important for humans to have regular medical examinations, it is equally as important for animals to have regular check ups to keep them happy and healthy. A visit with your veterinarian should include a thorough “nose-to-tail” examination as well as discussion about your pet’s history and lifestyle. It is recommended that your pet gets examined annually, and being proactive will help with the early diagnosis of any potential health problems.

Outside of the veterinarian’s office, it’s a good idea to take a few minutes every week to check your pet’s eyes, ears and mouth, skin and paws for any irregularities. Also be aware of any changes in their daily behaviours, activity levels and eating habits. Actions taken at home, combined with a nutritionally balanced diet that is recommended by a veterinarian, are at the core of maintaining your pet’s health and happiness in between veterinary visits.

“As a leader in pet health and nutrition, Iams encourages pet owners to talk to their veterinarians about caring for their pet,” says Lisa Festa, External Relations Manager, P&G Canada “It’s the powerful relationship and open communication between a pet owner and a veterinarian that inspired us to create the Thanks to my Veterinarian, I AM a Healthy PET program. This is our way of saying thank you to veterinarians for their hard work and dedication to the health of Canadian pets.”

A Shout Out to Canadian Veterinarians
Canadians who wish to share stories of the bond between their veterinarian and their pet can visit www.Pets.Yahoo.ca and the Thanks to my Veterinarian, I AM a Healthy PET contest page. All submissions will be posted on Yahoo.Pets.ca and will be entered for a chance to win* an Iams pet care prize pack. The contest runs from February 5th to March 31st, 2009. All story submissions will be forwarded onto that veterinarian and his/her staff along with an Iams certificate thanking them for their positive contribution to the pet community.

*No purchase necessary. Contest closes March 31/09.

About Yahoo! Canada
Yahoo! Canada Co. is a leading Internet destination that provides online products and services to meet the needs of Canadians and offers a range of tools and marketing solutions for businesses to connect with Internet users. Yahoo! Canada serves Canadians in both English and in French through its sites, www.yahoo.ca and http://qc.yahoo.ca. In Canada, Yahoo! sites were visited by more than 16 million Canadians in December 2008 (comScore Media Metrix, December, 2008). Yahoo! Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.

About P&G Pet Care
For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet-care products. To learn more about Eukanuba® and Iams® Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Iams Consumer Care Center at (800) 446-3075. You can also visit us on the Web at www.iams.com or www.eukanuba.com.

About Procter & Gamble
Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Folgers®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Actonel®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, and Braun®. The P&G community consists of 138,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.