The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G), a multinational consumer goods company, and Henry Schein, Inc., the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, have entered into a new agreement under which Henry Schein will be the exclusive distributor of P&G's Iams therapeutic diet formulas to veterinary practices in the contiguous United States.   

As with humans, the pet population is living longer, with approximately 33 million pets in the US age 11 years or older.  Attending to the changing nutritional needs of pets throughout their lifetime can help maintain a pet's overall health, keeping them playing young and staying young.  Under the new agreement, Henry Schein Animal Health, the US animal health division of Henry Schein, will be the exclusive distributor of Iams' therapeutic line of dog and cat food solutions, including special formulas to help nutritionally manage pet health concerns such as digestive imbalance, skin & coat, weight management and joint and urinary issues. Henry Schein will distribute the Iams' therapeutic and wellness diets as part of a complete portfolio of pet nutritional solutions it offers to veterinarians throughout the United States.

"P&G and Henry Schein share a strong commitment to supporting animal nutrition under veterinary care and raising awareness of its vital impact on overall pet health," said Kevin Vasquez, chairman, president and CEO of Henry Schein Animal Health.  "We are excited and honored to offer a broad array of nutritional formulas to our veterinary customers who understand the importance of promoting proper and targeted nutrition for pets, and who rely on Henry Schein to offer the best products and services for serving their patients with the highest quality care."

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), good nutrition enhances pets' quality and quantity of life, and is integral to optimal animal care.  A nutritional assessment as part of regular animal care is critical for maintaining pets' health, as well as responding to disease and injury.   

"Nutritional management is key to a lifetime of health and longevity for our pets.  Customized nutrition not only promotes wellness and physical fitness at every age and life stage, it's also critical in helping return sick pets to health," said Dr Marcie Campion, Nutritionist for P&G Pet Care. "As the leading diet supplier for veterinarians in the US, Henry Schein Animal Health is well positioned to reinforce this important message across the veterinary community and offer exclusive access to Iams Veterinary Formulas.  We look forward to the mutual success our new agreement will bring to each of our companies, veterinarians, pet owners and the pets we jointly care for."

For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care, the maker of IAMS, Eukanuba and Natura pet foods, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products.

Henry Schein Animal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading companion animal health distribution company in the United States. The company employs approximately 900 team members, including 300 field sales representatives and 200 telesales and customer support representatives.

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners.