Every Breed of dog Has one or another predisposition to various pathologies. However, if there is one disease that seems to affect almost everyone, it is gum disease. It is estimated that about 80% of dogs over three years of age will eventually develop the disease. And this is annoying not only on an aesthetic level. It can also be painful, lead to tooth loss, and even increase the likelihood of heart disease. Hence veterinarians They recommend that dog’s human friends brush their teeth. Some do it with the necessary regularity, others allow themselves to fall and, above all, there are those who try but fail because the dog does not like it too much.
To try to solve this problem there is alternatives, such as using mouthwashes that help prevent tartar build-up. And the key to making these rinses may be in our kitchens. Specifically in a bowl of fruit.
It was already known from human studies that pomegranate extract helps reduce plaque. For this reason, there are already products that dissolve in dogs’ drinking water and help them prevent common gum disease. Now a group of scientists from Virbak companyspecializing in veterinary health, tested one of these products in a randomized and blinded study and concluded that the benefits for our furry friends are truly noticeable when using pomegranate extract.
Pomegranate extract for oral care
IN 2006 A study was conducted to test the effect of pomegranate extract on plaque reduction. Participants, men and women aged 9 to 25 years, were divided into 3 groups. In the first, rinsing was carried out with distilled water, in the second – with chlorhexidine, in the third – with pomegranate extract.
As expected, distilled water did not provide any benefit, while chlorhexidine and the pomegranate extract really helped reduce plaque. But what most caught the attention of the authors of this study was that pomegranate extract reduced the number of bacteria by several percent. 84%the figure is greater than 79% which reduces the content of chlorhexidine. The latter is the main ingredient in many mouthwashes, so the effect of pomegranate can be considered really good.
The causes of gum disease in dogs are not much different from those in humans. Therefore, after the publication of this study, pomegranate extract was completely safe for dogs, began to be considered as an alternative to complex teeth cleaning. Or at least a good addition.
Water experienced to prevent gum disease
The authors of the study, which was just published in Frontiers of Veterinary Sciencethey conducted their research with 40 dogs with gingivitis mild to moderate, belonging to 14 breeds that ranged in size from Yorkshire to Alaskan Husky.
All of them had their teeth and gums cleaned. under anesthesia. But then, for maintenance, They no longer brushed their teeth.
They were given only water, either alone or with the pomegranate extract product dissolved in it. They were given everything they wanted for 30 days and then tested again. Tartar level and gum health.
The decision to give them water or pomegranate extract was random, hence this is a randomized trial. As for him being blind, that’s because the researcher who supplied them with water also didn’t know whether it was one way or the other. In this way, unconscious biases that arise as a result of unconscious changes in behavior can be avoided.
The results were very revealing, because those who took pomegranate extract 47% less tartar as well as improved gum health. Thus, we can say that the water additive worked even without the need for further cleaning.
Will this work with whole fruit?
Pomegranates are not a toxic fruit for dogs, but grapes are. However, the grains contained in the fruit are difficult to digest, so they can, among other things, cause stomach upset and vomiting. digestive symptoms.
Therefore, you should not give them whole fruits to protect them from gum disease. After all, the additive added to the water is a fruit extract. This will be what is medically known as active principle: a substance or substances that provide a specific benefit.
The extract has this concentrated principle. As a consequence, if we give them a whole fruit, we may not only cause digestive problems. We’ll also give them a dose much lower what they really need.
So, if your dog is at risk for gum disease and has difficulty brushing its teeth, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about these types of supplements. Both you and your furry friend will probably thank you for it in the end.
Source: Hiper Textual
