AHD editor, Rick Purnell, found a dental care brochure in a media kit from 2007. See the images of the Hartz® brochure at the link below. While the graphics show how far we’ve come in presenting products in the last 10 plus years, the messages are alarmingly similar. A Google search for the study referenced indicates its results have been referenced by as many as 20 or more companies to validate the benefits of rawhide chews.
Today, the opinions on rawhide benefits vs. risks are mixed. See references from: Embrace Pet Insurance <link-1> and Pets.Web MD <link-2>
Source: RPR Company, Archives. Link A. Link B. The backside center panel offers a reference that shows comments on periodontal disease. Look familiar?
According to a study by the American Veterinary Dental Society, oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats, with periodontal disease effecting about 80 percent of pets over the age of three.
Although regular dental checkups and professional cleaning are essential, home dental care has a positive impact on long-term dental health.
Also see: Effect of chewing rawhide and cereal biscuit on removal of dental calculus in dogs. JAVMA 1990 Jul 15; 197(2):213-9. Link. (Abstract only).
<BQ> Results indicated that dogs removed calculus from their teeth by chewing rawhide; some teeth were cleaned better than others. The optimal amount or frequency of rawhide treatment was not necessarily determined. It was determined that regular consumption of up to 3 rawhide strips/day for 3 weeks was safe.
INSIGHTS: In the July 16, 2018 AHD BULLETIN, we referenced two sources that discussed the issues surrounding client understanding and retention of what veterinary teams are telling them.
- Veterinary clients, hospitals not together on parasitology, Animal Health Digest, August 16, 2018. Link.
- Protect your business, Animal Health Digest, August 16, 2018. Link.
C’mon animal health pros! If it is just too much to deal with growing the in-house dental services, at least get busy with home care options. Several products offered through DVMs or OTC offer significant safety and efficacy benefits compared to rawhide. But my guess is (Greenies™ aside) most DVM teams still respond to questions about rawhide the same way they did in the early 2000s. The same is likely true for big box retail associates.
There is great value in reaffirming the importance of home dental care. Pets stay healthier, owners are more satisfied and there is good revenue potential from product margins. Consider home dental care products from AHD Sponsors Addison Biological Laboratory and Ceva Animal Health.