Mars Veterinary Offers New 'Insights' Into Mixed-Breed Dogs

New Best-in-Class Cheek Swab DNA Test Helps Owners Better Understand and Care
for their Loveable Mutts

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Where does Buddy get his curly tail from?
Why does he love digging holes in the backyard? Could I be doing more to make
him happier and healthier? Your dog may not be able to tell you the answers
-- but his DNA can. Wisdom Panel(TM)Insights, the most comprehensive
mixed-breed cheek swab DNA test on the market, can help explain a mixed-breed
dog's ancestry.

The new do-it-yourself doggie DNA test kit from Mars Veterinary(TM), an
established name in canine genetic breed identification and a division of
MARS((R)) Incorporated -- a global leader in pet care -- made its debut today
at SuperZoo((R)), one of the pet industry's largest trade shows. Wisdom Panel
Insights is the result of advancements in canine genetic testing technology,
making it possible for dog owners to access unrivaled breed detection
inexpensively and conveniently.

Roughly half of all dogs in the United States are mixed breed and the bulk of
owners (86 percent)(1) are unsure of their pet's breed composition. With the
simple swipe of a cheek swab, Wisdom Panel Insights can determine the ancestry
of a mixed-breed dog by testing for more than 170 breeds, the largest database
on the market. Within three weeks, dog owners will be e-mailed an official
Ancestry Report that reveals the dog's genetic background.

A dog's ancestry can influence him in surprising ways. Obvious and
not-so-obvious physical traits plus behaviors like digging, herding and
barking all come from the various breeds in a dog's family tree. Once an
owner understands a dog's natural tendencies, it makes it possible to create a
tailored training, exercise and nutrition program to fit his one-of-a-kind
needs.

"We're excited to give dog owners easier and more affordable access to the
best-in-class canine genetic analysis to help them understand what breeds make
their dog so special," said Dr. Neale Fretwell, chief geneticist at Mars
Veterinary. "But it's not just about curiosity. The smarter you are about
your dog's past, the smarter you can be about his future."

Wisdom Panel Insights is now available for mixed-breed dogs across the U.S.
for only $79.99 online at www.wisdompanel.com.

The Science Behind Wisdom Panel
Mars Veterinary launched the veterinary administered, blood-based Wisdom Panel
MX test in 2007. The state-of-the-art Wisdom Panel tests from Mars Veterinary
are based on nearly a decade of extensive research, drawing from the expertise
of leading scientists, veterinarians, universities and breed organizations
throughout the world. Their development included the analysis of more than 19
million DNA markers from more than 13,000 dogs. As a result, the tests are
the most complete and comprehensive products on the market, able to detect the
breed composition of a mixed-breed dog with unprecedented accuracy.

Coming Soon
Also launching this October is Wisdom Panel(TM) Professional, which will
eventually replace the current Wisdom Panel(TM) MX product. This blood-based
mixed-breed dog genetic test will be offered exclusively through veterinarians
and will be capable of detecting more than 200 breeds, types and varieties
with unprecedented accuracy. Going above and beyond breed detection, the test
will pre-screen for 14 breed-related diseases, predict a puppy's adult weight
range and offer the most comprehensive breed database of any DNA test in the
market.

About Mars Veterinary(TM)
Mars Veterinary is a division of MARS((R) )Incorporated, a company known for
innovative consumer and pet food brands that are trusted by people around the
world. Its mission is to facilitate responsible pet care by enlightening pet
owners and communities with valuable insights into their pets as individuals
through innovative, science-based discoveries. For nearly a decade, Mars
Veterinary has researched and developed state-of-the-art genetic tests for
mixed-breed dogs, revolutionizing personalized pet care. By discovering a
mixed-breed dog's ancestry, pet owners and veterinarians can work together to
tailor wellness programs that fit the one-of-a-kind needs of a mixed-breed
dog. For more information, visit www.wisdompanel.com.

About Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is a family-owned company that produces some of the world's
leading confectionery, food and petcare products and has growing beverage and
health & nutrition businesses. The confectionery division offers a wide range
of products that include chocolate, gum, mints, hard and chewy candies.
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Mars operates in more than 70 countries and
distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries. Mars employs
more than 65,000 associates worldwide. The company's global sales are over $27
billion annually.

(R)/(TM) Trademarks (C) Mars, Incorporated 2009

(1) This research project was conducted online in order to assess mixed breed
dog owners' knowledge of their dogs' makeup. A total of 711 mixed breed dog
owners completed the survey. All participants were members of the Zoom Panel
-- which has been selected to match US consumer demographics. Research was
conducted in June 2007.

SOURCE Mars Veterinary

Kate Hartman of Weber Shandwick, +1-312-988-2493, khartman@webershandwick.com,
for Mars Veterinary; or Hugo Perez of Mars Veterinary, +1-301-444-7965,
hugo.perez@mss.effem.com