Virbac has launched an improved formulation of Veterinary HPM Small & Toy which, the company says, offers both high quality nutrition and advanced oral care in a single product.

Virbac highlights research which shows that 90% of all dogs over one year are affected by dental issues, including plaque, tartar, gingivitis and halitosis1, but small breed dogs are 5 times more likely to have dental issues than large breeds2.

The new formulation of Veterinary HPM Small & Toy range contains Ascophyllum Nodosum, which Virbac says has been scientifically proven activity on four aspects of oral and dental health: calculus index, volatile sulphur compound concentration, plaque index and gingival bleeding index3.

Virbac points to research which shows that after being absorbed in the small intestine and then secreted into the oral cavity via saliva, Ascophyllum Nodosum inhibits some pathways involved in plaque or calculus development4.

Nutrition-wise, Virbac says the new diet offers 33% less carbohydrate and 34% more protein, on average, compared to other brands sold in veterinary practices5.

90% of the protein included in the diets is also from animal protein.

The updated range also features 2 new kibble sizes (10.5mm & 7.5mm), for smaller mouths.

 References

  1. WSAVA Global Dental Guidelines (2020) Journal of Small Animal Practice 61. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13132 
  2. C. Wallis, E.K. Saito, C. Salt, L.J. Holcombe, N.G. Desforges, Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States, The Veterinary Journal, Volume 275, 2021,105717, ISSN 1090-0233, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105717.
  3. Gawor Jerzy, Jank Michał, Jodkowska Katarzyna, Klim Emilia, Svensson Ulla K. Effects of Edible Treats Containing Ascophyllum nodosum on the Oral Health of Dogs: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Single-Center Study, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol 5 2018, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00168 
  4. Gawor Jerzy Pawel, Wilczak Jacek, Svensson Ulla K., Jank Michal, Influence of Dietary Supplementation With a Powder Containing A.N. ProDen (Ascophyllum Nodosum) Algae on Dog Saliva Metabolome, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol 8 2021, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.681951 
  5. Average protein and carbohydrate amounts in Small & toy adult dog dry food available in the European veterinary market. Virbac internal analysis performed in France, 2023.

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