IS YOUR PET EXPERIENCING:

Bad breath

Loss of appetite

Red, swollen and bleeding gums

Drooling

Blood in the saliva

Yellow-brown tartar at the gum line

Broken teeth

Dark spots on molars

Raised sores in mouth

If so, they may be suffering from dental problems.

The most common dental problem pets' experience is buildup from plaque and calculus. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of both the gums (gingivitis) and the membrane lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis). Without proper treatment, the teeth may become infected and fall out and the resulting infection may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or valves of the heart.

Important Information:

Dietary Characteristics

Purina Veterinary Diets® DH® brand Canine Formula and DH® brand Small Bites Canine Formula have been formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for adult and senior dogs, while providing the following characteristics:

Optimal kibble size

Patented kibble texture

Added antioxidants A and E

Natural source of glucosamine

Moderate calories

Exceptional palatability

Perfect solution for everyday feeding of adult and senior dogs

Canine Dental Chews are a perfect complement when using the DH Formula. USE ONLY AS DIRECTED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN

Ingredients:

Chicken, chicken meal (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal, ground wheat, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), dried beet pulp, brewers dried yeast, powdered cellulose, glycerin, dried egg product, calcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, animal digest, calcium carbonate, phosphoric acid, tetra sodium pyrophosphate, Vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, potassium sorbate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

Guaranteed Analysis %:Crude Protein (Min) 25 Crude Fat (Min) 14 Moisture (Max) 12 Crude Fiber (Max) 5 Linoleic Acid (Min) 1.4 Calcium (Ca) (Min) 1 Phosphorus (P) (Min) 0.8

Extra Information:

Vitamin A (Min) 15,000 IU/kg

Vitamin E (Min) 460 IU/kg

Glucosamine* (Min) 550 ppm

*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.

Dental problems may also result from injury, foreign bodies such as porcupine quills or foxtail, malnutrition or systemic health conditions that infect the mouth as well as other parts of the body.

Inspect your pet's mouth regularly for tartar buildup or a condition of the gums and brush your pet's teeth with the proper brush and toothpaste (made specifically for them) once or twice a week. Consult with your veterinarian about the correct home-cleaning process or professional cleaning.

Additionally, dry, crunchy foods can be helpful in keeping teeth clean. As the pet chews, particles from the dry food scrape against the teeth, acting like a toothbrush to help remove plaque.

The role of dietary management in dental disease is to provide a proper balance of total nutrients that can be fed every day for maintenance while meeting the special dietary needs of the patient. Nutritional management of dogs that are prone to the formation of tartar centers on feeding a kibble that significantly decreases the accumulation of tartar. This can be accomplished by designing a kibble that is both large enough to promote increased chewing time and that has a special texture to allow the tooth to penetrate deep into the kibble before it breaks. Greater tooth penetration extends contact time with the kibble for an excellent cleaning effect.

Diets with these nutritional modifications have been recommended for adult and senior dogs and cats with the following conditions:

Adult and senior dogs and cats to help reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar

Adult and senior dogs and cats for everyday maintenance.

Purina Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health Small Bites Canine Formula Dry Food Dog Food Rating:

• Animal Digest - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = animal digest

• Corn - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = Ground yellow corn, corn gluten meal

• Wheat - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = ground wheat

• Soy - 1 point possible

Plus 1 point = No Soy

• Gluten - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = corn gluten meal

• Extra Goodies - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = dried beet pulp, dried egg product

• By-Products - 1 point possible

Plus 1 point = No by-products

• Animal Fat - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = animal fat

• Pet Food Recalls - 1 point possible

Plus 1 point = No Recalls Purina Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health Small Bites Canine Formula Dry Food Dog Food

• Class Action - 1 point possible

Minus 1 point = Class Action Purina Pet Foods

Dog Food Rating for Purina Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health Small Bites Canine Formula Dry Food Dog Food:

Total Score = 3/10

Ask Susan Peters Purina Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health Small Bites Canine Formula Dry Food Dog Food Review:

Purina Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health Small Bites Canine Formula Dry Food Dog Food doesn't seem to have anything special in it. This is pretty much junk with a high price. Ol Roy, cheap stuff, scored much better than Purina Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health Small Bites Canine Formula Dry Food Dog Food. If your vet is selling this stuff they are making a huge profit at your dog's expense!

Ask Susan Peters Other Sites Of Interest:

Cat Food Review - Cat Food Ratings

Cat Treat and Snack Review

Cat Food Recall List Updated May 30, 2007

Cat Food Safe To Feed After The Cat Food Recall Updated 6/16/07

Dog Food Review

Dog Treat and Snack Review and Dog Food Ratings

Dog Food Recall List Updated 09/18/07

Dog Food Safe To Feed After The Dog Food Recall Updated 6/16/07