Soft Rawhide Reduces Calculus Formation in Dogs

This clinical investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of a unique soft rawhide product on the formation of dental calculus in a housed colony of beagle dogs. The study was designed as a 2-way crossover test with 4-week test periods and a 1-week wash-out period between the test periods. All dogs were provided a dry commercial diet and tap water ad libitum. The dogs were stratified into two groups of matched pairs on the basis of their calculus and plaque formation rates. Each test period was initiated immediately following a complete supragingival scaling and crown polishing and the dogs in the test group received a soft rawhide treat about 4-hours after their normal feeding. Examinations were performed about 20 to 24-hours after the last feeding by an experienced clinical examiner using conventional indices. The data indicated that once daily feeding of the soft rawhide chew product resulted in statistically significant reductions in the formation of dental calculus (28.0%), dental plaque (19.0%), and gingivitis (46.0%).