This article is sponsored content brought to you by Virbac.
Dental disease is a prevalent health issue amongst companion animals.1 Plaque begins to form within 24 hours, followed by tartar in just 3 days, which can lead to periodontal disease and halitosis.1 While plaque buildup and oral bacteria are primary causes of bad breath, gastrointestinal issues arising from imbalanced intestinal flora can also contribute.2
According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines, effective dental care comprises two essential components:
1. Professional plaque removal
2. At-home management
Consistent at-home care is crucial for maintaining optimal dental health. Virbac’s VeggieDent FR3SH dental chews and AquaDent FR3SH water additive help manage both oral and digestive causes of bad breath, making home dental care more convenient for owners.
Innovative FR3SH technology, featured in VeggieDent FR3SH dental chews and AquaDent FR3SH water additive, addresses dental disease with three key ingredients:
- Pomegranate, to combat oral causes of bad breath:
Acts as an antioxidant
Reduces bacteria in dental plaque3
Affects bacteria adhesion to dental surfaces4
- Erythritol, for mouth cooling and freshness:
Widely used in oral care products, with properties that control bacterial growth5
- Inulin, to tackle digestive causes of bad breath:
Addresses bad breath associated with imbalanced intestinal flora2
Acts as a prebiotic, promoting balanced intestinal microflora and reducing fermentative by-products6
VeggieDent FR3SH dental chews:
- Awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance for effectively controlling plaque and tartar when used as directed
- Highly recommended by owners for improving bad breath7
AquaDent FR3SH:
- Convenient and easy to use; simply add to daily drinking water using the dosing cap provided
- Formulated by veterinary dental specialists, so it is safe and effective in cats and dogs
- Palatable and proven to ensure no reduction in water consumption
VeggieDent FR3SH is available in sizes for Extra Small, Small, Medium, and Large dogs, while AquaDent FR3SH comes in 250ml and 500ml bottles.
Always ensure fresh drinking water is available.
References:
1. Niemiec BA, Gawor J, Nemec A, et al. World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Dental Guidelines. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jsap.13132. Accessed June 19, 2024.
2. Niemiec BA. Periodontal disease. Top Companion Anim Med. 2008;23:72–80.
3. Menezes SM, Cordeiro LN, Viana GS. Punica granatum (pomegranate) extract is active against dental plaque. J Herb Pharmacother. 2006;6(2):79-92.
4. Viana GSB, Menezes SMS, Cordeiro LN, Matos FJA. Biological effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), especially its antibacterial actions, against microorganisms present in the dental plaque and other infectious processes. In: Watson RR, Preedy VR, eds. Bioactive Foods in Promoting Health: Fruits and Vegetables. London: Academic Press; 2010:459-478.
5. De Cock, P et al. 2016. Erythritol is more effective than xylitol and sorbitol in managing oral health endpoints. Int. J. Dent. 2016:9868421.
6. Flickinger EA, Schreijen EMWC, Patil AR, et al. Nutrient digestibilities, microbial populations, and protein catabolites as affected by fructan supplementation of dog diets. J Anim Sci. 2003;81:2008–2018.
7. Chala V, Chaix G, Navarro C, Espuna G. Evaluation of breath freshening effect in dogs following chew administration: an open field trial. Voorsjaardagen congress, The Hague, NL, April 2018.
