The outcome of a new study by the University of Pennsylvania
supported by Mars Petcare, that investigated the forces required for tooth fractures to occur in dogs - offering the development of a new standard to assess chew and toy hardness.
The study, conducted by Prof Alex Reiter and Maria Soltero-Rivera at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, assessed the maximum load a tooth could sustain before fracturing and the findings of this research provide robust evidence that chewing objects of a hard consistency presents a high-risk for dogs fracturing their teeth.
For a number of years, Pedigree have been assessing their own products for hardness, but this new research provides the whole industry with guidance to assess the safety of all chews and toys on the market. It also provides the opportunity for manufacturers to work alongside vets to develop more innovative products that are safe for dogs to chew, whilst also providing significant oral hygiene or environmental enrichment benefits. To this end Pedigree will partner with other manufacturers, retailers, and veterinarians to introduce a new standard across the industry, as currently there is no universal limit for hardness in dog chews and toys.
