The first study, with 32 dogs over 10 days, revealed that a particular nutraceutical diet reduced halitosis in 90% of dogs. 

The results also showed a significant modification of halitosis parameters after 30 days from the beginning of treatment, while a long-lasting effect was still observed even 20 days after the suspension of the treatment.

The researchers used a dietary supplement to dogs that included fish hydrolized proteins, sage, Ribes nigrum L., thyme, lysozyme, propolis, bioflavonoids and vitamin C in the daily

nutritional schedule. These compounds, widely used in traditional medicine, have been already proven effective both in vitro and in vivo.

All the ingredients in bold, are in The Smooch formulation.

The second study followed on from the one above, and involved 104 dogs of different breeds and ages, suffering from chronic halitosis and manifesting at least one symptom among drooling, gingivitis, ulcers, stomatitis, laryngitis, tartar, dental caries, abscess, and lingual lesions.

Fed the diet (the same as in the first research study) for 30 days, halitosis significantly decreased as did drooling, gingivitis, ulcers, stomatitis, laryngitis, dental caries, abscesses, and lingual lesions. These results are in agreement to what was previously observed in dogs affected by chronic halitosis, achieving an overall and long-lasting improvement.

Researchers noted that:

• Ribes Nigrum (blackcurrent juice) has demonstrated antibactieral activity on bacterial strains associated with gingival inflammation, halitosis and dental caries formation
• Salvia officinalis has been shown to significantly reduce volatile sulphide compound levels and has been used for the treatment of ulcers and inflammation. 
• Bioflavonoids have shown anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic activity

In other research:

• The polyphenols of cranberries appear to have potential for preventing and/or treating dental caries and periodontal disease.
• The effects of green tea extract on caries inhibition of hamsters and on acid resistance of human tooth enamel have been suggested by both in vivo and in vitro studies.

All the ingredients in bold, are in The Smooch formulation.

Study 1:

Di Cerbo, Alessandro & Pezzuto, Federica & Guidetti, Gianandrea & Palmieri, Beniamino. (2015).Therapeutic Effectiveness of a Dietary Supplement for Management of Halitosis in Dogs. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2015. e52717. 10.3791/52717.

Study 2:

Canello, Sergio & Guidetti, Gianandrea & Di Cerbo, Alessandro & Cocco, Raffaella. (2018).Unraveling a Commercial Formula to Relieve Halitosis in Dogs. Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine

A therapeutic dose is the amount of a nutraceutical used clinically to produce a response. By the way, all the doses in the bestie health jellies are based on veterinary clinical experience and based on published research.

It's typically different from a treat you might see marketed as a 'calming treat'. Effectiveness depends whether there are therapeutic amounts of the constituents and on the severity of the clinical condition. However, if the treat can be fed any time you like, (unlike our health jellies which need to be given daily), then it's likely not strong enough to really have an effect.

Most commercial pet foods are made to meet the AAFCO and/or FEDIAF nutritional profiles for growth, reproduction or maintenance. However, many vets and animal nutritionists agree that these nutritional profiles do not necessarily enable cats and dogs to thrive and enjoy optimal health.

The cranberry fruit is a unique and rich source of bioactive polyphenol compounds. Cranberry constituents can exert beneficial effects on gingival and periodontal health by inhibiting inflammatory response, suppressing bacterial biofilm formation, and reducing the activity of periopathogenic proteolytic enzymes. Specific flavonoids have also been shown to disrupt key virulence factors responsible for dental caries pathogenesis.

Bioflavonoids are hydroylated phenolic structures synthesised by plants and have previously been shown to have activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses. In particular, bioflavonoids have been recognised as both anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic agents limiting the growth of certain bacteria associated with periodontal diseases. They’ve been shown to reduce gingival inflammatory conditions in people.

Green tea is particularly rich in health-promoting flavonoids  including catechins and their derivatives. The most abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is thought to play a pivotal role in the green tea’s anticancer and antioxidant effects. It has also been suggested that green tea also promotes periodontal health by reducing inflammation, preventing bone resorption and limiting the growth of certain bacteria associated with periodontal diseases.

The use of thyme, because of its various antiseptic and antioxidant properties, is widely reported in gingivitis, stomatitis, and bad breath. You could even argue it’s like Listerine for dogs. A component of thyme, known as thymol, appears to inhibit growth of oral pathogens in the mouth and in combination with other essential oils, may reduce tooth decay. Thymol is one of the essential oils with antibacterial effects found in the human mouthwash, Listerine. 

Sage has a range of therapeutic activities including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant effects.  Volatile monoterpenoid is a major constituent, reported to be an effective antibacterial. Sage has been shown to have an antibacterial action against streptococcus mutans in dental plaque, in people. Streptococcus mutans, along with porphyromonas gingivalis and candida albicans, is an oral pathogen responsible for bad breath and tooth decay.

Lysozyme is an antibacterial enzyme, present in all body fluids, including saliva. In the oral cavity, lysozyme plays an important role in controlling microbial overgrowth, reducing the number of bacteria in the dental biofilm, decreasing colonisation, and modifying bacterial metabolism. In particular, it’s been shown to inhibit glucose fermentation by oral streptococci and help prevent dental plaque. 

Blackcurrent fruit contains polyphenolic substances with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Various studies have highlighted the antibacterial activity exerted by ribes nigrum (blackcurrant) juice on bacterial strains - in particular streptoccocus mutans, porphyromonas gingivalis and candida albicans - associated with gingival inflammation, oral malodour, and dental caries formation.

We use Australian beef-gelatin as the 'jelly' agent in our health jellies.

Gelatin isn’t just a ‘carrier’; it’s also good for dogs, especially ageing ones. For example, it inhibits inflammation and breakdown of the cartilage matrix.Collagen in the cartilage matrix and gelatin have a similar amino acid composition and there are indications that the amino acids in gelatin stimulate the synthesis of collagen cartilage.

This is one of the factors behind research that demonstrates the improvement in canine osteoarthritis due to gelatin supplementation. A trial of 15 dogs, fed gelatin in addition to their normal diet, found an improvement in activity(vitality), stiffness and lameness.[1]

Plant-based jelly carriers don‘t currently provide the same benefits. Gelatin is also a human-grade ingredient that is generally regarded as safe (GRAS) for all species. 

[1] P,Jacobs & Grim, H. & Geene, H. & Beynen, Anton & Vlerk, T..(2010). Oral Administration of Gelatin Hydrolysate Reduces Clinical Signs ofCanine Osteoarthritis in a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. AmericanJournal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. 5. 10.3844/ajavsp.2010.102.106.

• 70 gram packs make a 2 month supply for dogs less than 10kg (small) and a 1 month supply for dogs 10kg to 25kg (medium)
• 140 gram packs make 1 month supply for a dog 25kg+ (large) and 4 months for a small dog, and 2 months for a medium sized dog

These natural supplements are not like a panadol; they work over time. We recommend that supplements are fed on an ongoing basis - and at least for 3 months