RU2784912C2 - Compositions and methods for oral administration to animals - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: veterinary medicine.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to methods and compositions for reduction in bad breath in a dog. The method provides for oral administration to a dog of a composition containing honey and spirulina.

EFFECT: invention provides synergetic effects of ingredients for control of bad breath in a dog, in particular dogs suffering from halitosis.

11 cl, 5 tbl, 3 ex

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

This application claims priority over U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/654,626, filed April 9, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Prerequisites for the creation of the invention

Halitosis is a common disease in animals, including humans and companion animals. As all pet owners know, pet breath can be quite repulsive to pet owners and friends and family of the owners, thus negatively impacting the emotional bond between dog and human. For use in the fight against halitosis, there are such products as mouthwashes, pastes and gels, as well as "fresheners", i.e. coating liquids and solids that can be administered to humans or companion animals. In addition, chemical sprays and cleansers can be injected into the mouth to combat bad breath.

However, "fresheners" essentially have no effect, but only temporarily mask the problem of bad breath in animals. In addition, various fresheners, mouthwashes, gels, etc. may contain not always desired active substances such as alcohols and zinc compounds.

In the case where the cause of malodors is exclusively in the oral cavity, remedies such as removing plaque and tartar deposits from the animal's teeth are known, although this usually requires the opinion of a specialist and the cost of visiting a dentist or veterinarian. While the removal of tartar and plaque can be effective and beneficial from a dental point of view, an animal's bad breath is not completely eliminated or even reduced for a reasonable period of time. Scraping plaque does not eliminate odor-causing bacteria, but only a specific breeding site for such bacteria.

Therefore, there remains a need for research and development of oral care compositions and methods for humans and companion animals.

Statement of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and compositions containing honey and spirulina. Such methods and compositions can be used to treat, prevent, or minimize bad breath in an animal.

The present inventors have found that a composition containing honey and spirulina can provide synergistic effects for controlling bad breath in an animal. Such an effect may help in the treatment of such animals suffering from halitosis. Accordingly, a method of treating, preventing, or minimizing bad breath in an animal may include orally administering to the animal a composition comprising honey and spirulina.

In addition, the composition for treating, preventing or minimizing bad breath in an animal may contain honey and spirulina.

Additional features and advantages are described herein and will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description.

Detailed description

Definitions

The following are some definitions. However, definitions may occur below in the "Embodiments" section, and the above heading "Definitions" does not mean that the descriptions in the "Embodiments" section are not definitions.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms include references to the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" used in the context of "X and/or Y" should be interpreted as either "X" or "Y" or "X and Y". In this document, the term "example", especially when followed by a listing of terms, is exemplary and illustrative only and should not be considered exclusive or exhaustive.

As used herein, the term "about" should be understood to refer to numbers in a numerical range, such as in the range of -10% to +10% of the specified number, preferably -5% to +5% of the specified number, more preferably from -1% to +1% of said number, most preferably -0.1% to +0.1% of said number. The range "between" two values includes those two values. In addition, it should be understood that all numerical ranges herein include all numbers, integers and fractions, within the range. Moreover, these numerical ranges should be considered as supporting a claim referring to any number or subset of numbers within the given range. For example, the description "1 to 10" should be considered to include the range "1 to 8", "3 to 7", "1 to 9", "3.6 to 4.6", "3, 5 to 9.9", etc.

Unless otherwise indicated, all percentages herein are by weight based on the total weight of the composition on a dry matter basis. When referring to pH, the values correspond to pH measured at 25°C with standard equipment.

The term "halitosis" refers to an unpleasant odor present on the breath of an animal and may be used interchangeably with the term "bad breath". In one of the various aspects, halitosis can refer to bad breath in a human, companion animal, or even a dog.

The term "honey" refers to any type of honey produced by any type of bee from any type of flower source or any other source in any region of the world. In one embodiment, the honey may include polyfloral honey, monofloral honey, or honeydew honey. In another embodiment, the honey may be selected from the group consisting of: clover honey, manuka forest honey, oxendrum tree honey, buckwheat honey, rosemary honey, dandelion honey, acacia honey, eucalyptus honey, alfalfa honey, avocado honey, linden honey, blueberry honey, orange tree honey, sage honey and mixtures thereof.

The term "spirulina" refers to dried biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and other animals and includes Arthrospira platensis and/or Arthrospira maxima.

The terms "product", "food product" and "food composition" mean a product or composition that is intended for ingestion by an animal and provides the animal with at least one nutrient. The term "pet food" means any food composition intended for consumption by a companion animal.

The term "animal" refers to any animal that may benefit from the use of one or more of the compositions or methods of the present invention, including humans, birds, cattle, canine, equine, feline, goat, wolf, murine, ovine, and pigs.

The term "companion animal" means a dog or cat. As used herein, the terms "dog" and "canine" may be used interchangeably. As used herein, the terms "cat" and "feline" may be used interchangeably. In one embodiment, the companion animal may be a canine.

"Wet food" means pet food having a moisture content of from about 50% to about 90%, and in one aspect from about 70% to about 90%. "Dry food" means pet food having a moisture content of less than about 20%, and in one aspect less than about 15%, and in another aspect less than about 10%. "Semi-moist food" means a pet food having a moisture content of from about 20% to about 50%, and in one aspect from about 25% to about 35%. "Pellets" means pieces of dry or semi-moist pet food, which may be in the form of pellets or any other form. Non-limiting examples of granules include particles; pellets; pieces of pet food, dehydrated meat, meat analogue, vegetables, and combinations thereof; and pet snacks such as jerky or vegetables, rawhide, and biscuits.

The term "food supplement" or "supplement" means a product that is intended to be consumed in addition to the normal diet of an animal. Dietary supplements may be presented in any form such as solid, liquid, gel, tablets, capsules, powder, and the like. In one aspect, they may be presented in convenient dosage forms. In some embodiments, they may be presented in bulk consumer packages, such as bulk powders, liquids, gels, or oils. In other embodiments, supplements may be provided in large amounts for inclusion in other types of products, such as snacks, treats, supplemented bars, beverages, and the like.

The compositions described herein may not contain any element that is not specifically described herein. Thus, a description of an embodiment using the term "comprising" includes a description of embodiments "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" these components. Similarly, the methods described herein may not include any step that is not specifically described herein. Thus, a description of an embodiment using the term "comprising" includes a description of embodiments "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" the steps indicated. Moreover, the description of some steps as "optional" does not imply that other steps that are not explicitly described as optional are necessarily required.

Any embodiment described herein may be combined with any other embodiment described herein.

"Prevention" includes reducing the risk and/or severity of a condition or disorder. The terms "treatment", "treat" and "alleviate" include both prophylactic or preventive treatment (which prevents and/or delays the development of the target condition or disorder) and curative, therapeutic or disease-modifying treatment, including therapeutic measures. that cure, slow, reduce symptoms and/or stop the progression of the diagnosed pathological condition or disorder; and the treatment of patients at risk of contracting the disease or suspected of contracting the disease, as well as patients who are ill or have been identified as suffering from a disease or medical condition. The term does not necessarily imply that the subject is receiving treatment until complete recovery. The terms "treatment" and "treat" also refer to the maintenance and/or promotion of health in an individual not suffering from a disease, but who may be susceptible to the development of a disease state. The terms "treatment", "treat" and "alleviate" should also include the potentiation or other enhancement of one or more primary preventive or therapeutic measures. The terms "treatment", "treat" and "alleviate" are further intended to include treatment of a disease or condition through diet and diet, or prevention or prevention of a disease or condition through diet and diet. Treatment can be viewed from the perspective of the patient or the physician.

Relative terms "improved", "increased", "enhanced", etc. refer to the effects of a composition described herein (a composition containing honey and spirulina or a prophylactic dose of honey and spirulina) relative to a composition not containing honey and spirulina, or not containing either honey or spirulina, but otherwise identical.

The term "therapeutically effective amount" means an amount of a compound of the present invention that (i) treats or prevents a specific disease, condition or disorder, (ii) reduces, alleviates or eliminates one or more symptoms related to a specific disease, condition or disorder, or ( iii) prevents or delays the onset of one or more of the symptoms of a particular disease, condition, or disorder described herein. In one embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount may refer to an amount for treating halitosis.

The term "long-term administration" means periods of repeated administration or consumption exceeding one month. In certain embodiments, periods longer than two, three, or four months may be used. In addition, longer periods that exceed 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 months can be applied. You can also apply periods greater than 11 months or 1 year. Longer periods of use are included in the invention, in excess of 1, 2, 3 or more years. In the case of some animals, the animal may continue to consume on a regular basis throughout its life. This may also be referred to as consumption over "extended" periods.

The term "regular basis" or "regular administration" means at least a monthly dosage of the compositions or consumption of the compositions, and in one aspect means at least a weekly dosage. In certain embodiments, more frequent dosing or consumption is possible, such as two or three times per week. However, in other embodiments, regimens that include at least one daily intake may be used. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the amount of food will depend on the composition being consumed or administered, as well as the animal consuming the product, and some food compositions may require more or less frequent administration to maintain the desired or acceptable mouth odor.

All patents, patent applications, publications, technical and/or scientific articles and other references given or referred to in this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent permitted by law. The description of these references serves only to summarize the statements made in this document. No admission is made that any such patents, patent applications, publications, or references, or any part thereof, are important, material, or prior art. The right is expressly reserved to question the accuracy and propriety of any statement that such patents, patent applications, publications, and other references are important, material, or prior art.

Embodiments

The present invention relates to methods and compositions containing honey and spirulina. Such methods and compositions can be used to treat, prevent, or minimize bad breath in an animal.

The present inventors have found that a composition containing honey and spirulina can provide synergistic effects for controlling bad breath in an animal. Such an effect may help in the treatment of such animals suffering from halitosis. Accordingly, a method of treating, preventing, or minimizing bad breath in an animal may include orally administering to the animal a composition comprising honey and spirulina.

In addition, the composition for treating, preventing or minimizing bad breath in an animal may contain honey and spirulina. Essentially, honey can be any type of honey. In one embodiment, the honey may include polyfloral honey, monofloral honey, or honeydew honey. In another embodiment, the honey may be selected from the group consisting of: clover honey, manuka forest honey, oxendrum tree honey, buckwheat honey, rosemary honey, dandelion honey, acacia honey, eucalyptus honey, alfalfa honey, avocado honey, linden honey, blueberry honey, orange tree honey, sage honey and mixtures thereof. As such, spirulina can be any type of spirulina. In one embodiment, spirulina may be a dried form of cyanobacteria (blue green algae) which includes Arthrospira platensis and/or Arthrospira maxima.

As such, honey may be present in any therapeutically effective amount to control bad breath in an animal in combination with spirulina, and essentially depends on the form of the composition being administered. In a general embodiment, honey may be present in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight of the composition. In some aspects, when the composition is a treat, honey may be present in an amount of from about 0.001 wt.% to about 50 wt.% of the treat, or even from about 0.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.% of the treat, or in one certain aspect from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.%. In other aspects, when the composition is a product, honey may be present in an amount of from about 0.001 wt.% to about 10 wt.% of the product, or even from about 0.5 wt.% to about 5 wt.% of the product. In other aspects, when the composition is a dietary supplement, honey may be present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 90% by weight of the supplement, or even from about 1% to about 75% by weight of the supplement.

As such, spirulina may be present in any therapeutically effective amount to control bad breath in an animal in combination with honey, and essentially depends on the form of the composition being administered. In a general embodiment, spirulina may be present in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 50% by weight of the composition. In some aspects, when the composition is a treat, spirulina may be present in an amount of from about 0.001 wt.% to about 20 wt.% of the treat, or even from about 0.01 wt.% to about 2 wt.% of the treat, or in one a certain aspect from about 0.1 wt.% to about 1 wt.%. In other aspects, when the composition is a product, spirulina may be present in an amount of from about 0.001 wt.% to about 5 wt.% of the product, or even from about 0.01 wt.% to about 2 wt.% of the product. In other aspects, when the composition is a dietary supplement, spirulina may be present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 75% by weight of the supplement, or even from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight of the supplement.

While the above amounts are described in relation to certain compositions, such amounts may be used in other compositional forms, including human product, human beverages, human supplements, pet foods, pet treats, pet supplements, and the like. In one embodiment, the composition may be a pet treat. In another embodiment, the composition may be an additive. In some aspects, the supplement may be a supplement for human consumption, or even a supplement for consumption by a companion animal. In one embodiment, the composition may be a product. In some aspects, the product may be a product for human consumption or even pet food. Further, in various aspects, such pet food may be a wet pet food, a semi-moist pet food, or a dry pet food such as kibbles.

As such, the methods and compositions of the present invention can be applied to any animal. In one embodiment, the animal may be a human. In another embodiment, the animal may be a companion animal. In some aspect, the companion animal may be a dog or even a cat.

As such, the methods and compositions of the present invention may be administered to an animal for a sufficient time to provide treatment, prevention, or minimization of halitosis in the animal. In one embodiment, the introduction may be long. In another embodiment, the administration may be regular. In another embodiment, the introduction can be both long-term and regular. In one aspect, the composition may be administered to the animal on a weekly basis. In another aspect, the composition can be administered to the animal daily, and in one specific aspect, daily for at least one week. In some embodiments, the composition may be administered to the animal over a period of at least one week, at least one month, at least two, three, four, five, or six months; and in some embodiments, for at least one year. During this time period, the composition may be administered to the animal at least one day per week, at least two days per week, at least three, four, five, or six days per week; or even seven days a week. The composition can be administered once or multiple times during the day.

Essentially, the composition contains honey and spirulina. In addition, the composition may additionally contain a component selected from the group consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, the composition may contain other health promoting additives or ingredients. Such supplements or ingredients may include one or more of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, amino acids, medium chain triglycerides, and the like.

Non-limiting examples of suitable omega-3 fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the content of omega-3 fatty acids can be in the range from about 0.2 wt.% to about 3 wt.% of the composition. In some embodiments, the content of omega-3 fatty acids is at least about 0.2 wt.%, at least about 1.0 wt.%, or at least about 2.0 wt.%.

Non-limiting examples of suitable amino acids include free amino acids such as methionine, cysteine, homocysteine, taurine, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of vitamins include A, vitamin B complex (e.g., B-1, B-2, B-6, and B-12), vitamins C, D, E, and K, niacin, and vitamins containing acid, such as pantothenic acid, folic acid and biotin.

Non-limiting examples of minerals include calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, iodine, copper, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, nickel, tin, silicon, vanadium, and boron.

Non-limiting examples of antioxidants include beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, or any compound that inhibits oxidation or reactions stimulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), and other radical and non-radical compounds. In addition, antioxidants are molecules capable of slowing down or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Non-limiting examples of antioxidants include carotenoids, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), flavonoids, glutathione, goji berry (wolfberry), hesperidin, milk-based goji berry preparation, lignan, lutein, lycopene, polyphenols, selenium, vitamin A , vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E.

The pet food compositions described herein can be any product formulated for consumption by a pet, such as a dog. In one embodiment, the pet food composition provides complete nutrition as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) depending on the type of animal for which the composition is intended (eg, a dog). In another embodiment, the composition may be an additive. Such an additive can be added to the food composition, or administered together with the food composition, or administered separately.

In one embodiment, the food compositions may contain protein in an amount from about 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, or even 60% to about 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55% , 60% or even 65%, including various sub-ranges within these amounts. In one aspect, the protein may comprise from about 45% to about 55% of the food composition.

The pet food composition may contain meat, such as emulsified meat. Examples of suitable meats include poultry, beef, pork, lamb and fish, especially types of meat suitable for pets. The meat may include any additional parts of the animal, including offal. Some or all of the meats may be offered as one or more meat meals, namely meat that has been dried and ground to a substantially uniform particle size and as defined by AAFCO. In a further or alternative embodiment, a vegetable protein such as pea protein, corn protein (e.g. ground corn or corn gluten), wheat protein (e.g. ground wheat or wheat gluten), soy protein (e.g. soy flour, soy concentrate) may be used. or soy isolate), rice protein (e.g. milled rice or rice gluten), and the like.

In one embodiment, the food compositions may contain fat from about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, or even 35% to about 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, or even 40%. %, including various sub-ranges within these amounts. In one embodiment, fat makes up about 25% to about 35% of the food composition.

The pet food compositions described herein may contain one or more of vegetable oil, flavor, color, or water. Non-limiting examples of suitable vegetable oils include soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, and the like. In some embodiments, the lipids in the composition may consist of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) and one or more of: any vegetable oil, any fish oil, lipid from any meat, and any omega-3 fatty acids.

Non-limiting examples of suitable flavors include yeast, tallow, processed animal meal (e.g., poultry, beef, lamb, pork), flavoring extracts or blends (e.g., baked beef), animal digests, and the like. . Non-limiting examples of suitable pigments include food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic (FD&C) dyes such as Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Green No. 3, Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6 etc.; natural colorants such as caramel color, annatto, chlorophyllin, cochineal, betanine, turmeric, saffron, paprika, lycopene, elderberry juice, pandanus, clitoris, and the like; titanium dioxide; and any suitable food color known to the person skilled in the art.

The pet food composition described herein may optionally include additional ingredients such as starches, humectants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, amino acids, fibers, prebiotics, sugars, animal oils, flavors, other fats as vegetable oil supplements or alternatives, salts, vitamins, minerals, probiotic microorganisms, biologically active molecules, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the food compositions may contain carbohydrates in an amount of from about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70 % or even 75% up to about 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80 %, 85% or even 90%, including various sub-ranges within these amounts. In one embodiment, carbohydrate is from about 25% to about 50% of the food composition.

Non-limiting examples of suitable starches include starches from grains such as corn, rice, wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, peas, beans, cassava, and the like, and mixtures of these grains, and may include at least at least partially, in any flour. Non-limiting examples of suitable humectants include salt, sugars, propylene glycol, and polyhydric glycols such as glycerol and sorbitol, and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable oral care ingredients include alfalfa nutritional concentrate containing chlorophyll, sodium bicarbonate, phosphates (e.g., tricalcium phosphate, acid pyrophosphates, sodium tetrapyrophosphate, metaphosphates, and orthophosphates), peppermint, cloves, parsley, ginger etc. Non-limiting examples of suitable preservatives include potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate, calcium propionate, propionic acid, and combinations thereof.

The food compositions may also contain one or more fiber sources. The term "fiber" includes all sources of so-called "ballast" in foods, whether they are digested or not, dissolved or not, fermented or not. Such fiber may be from plant sources such as marine plants, but microbiological fiber sources may also be used. A variety of soluble and insoluble fiber types may be used, as are known to those skilled in the art. Sources of fiber include beet pulp (from sugar beets), gum arabic, locust bean gum, psyllium, rice bran, locust bean gum, citrus pulp, pectin, fructooligosaccharide, short chain oligofructose, mannanoligofructose, soy fiber, arabinogalactan, galactooligosaccharide, arabinoligosaccharide or mixtures thereof.

In an alternative embodiment, the fiber source can be fermentable fiber. Fermentable fiber has previously been described as having a beneficial effect on the immune system of the companion animal. Fermentable fiber or other compositions known to those skilled in the art that provide prebiotics to enhance the growth of probiotics in the gut may also be included in the composition to enhance the benefit described herein or to the animal's immune system.

In some embodiments, the ash content of the food composition ranges from less than 1% to about 15%. In one aspect, the ash content may be from about 5% to about 10%.

The specific amounts of each additional ingredient in the pet food compositions described herein will depend on a variety of factors, such as the ingredient included in the first food material and any second food material; kind of animal; age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the animal; consumption rate for the animal; the purpose for which the food product is given to the animal, etc. Thus, the components and their amounts can vary within wide limits.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of preparing a composition that includes adding honey and spirulina to at least one other edible ingredient, wherein honey and spirulina are added in a therapeutically effective amount to prevent or treat or minimize bad breath in animal.

Example

As a non-limiting example, the non-limiting study described below is illustrative of the compositions and methods of using honey and spirulina to treat, prevent, or minimize bad breath in an animal as provided herein in one or more embodiments.

Example 1 In Vitro Study in Canine Animals

Saliva samples were taken from 6–10 Labrador Retriever and English Setter dogs for testing of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), including hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S), methyl mercaptan (CH ₃ SH) and dimethyl sulfide ((CH ₃ ) ₂ S), and measured the content of all these compounds using a portable gas chromatograph OralChroma manufactured by Nissha FIS, Inc.). Each sample was prepared by adding 115 mg of the ingredient or combination ingredients (50:50 ratio) to 10 ml of water and keeping overnight to ensure hydration. Then saliva was added to the sample in an amount of 0.5 ml and the sample was kept at 37°C for 24 hours. A blank sample containing no ingredient was also prepared. Performed two cycles, two samples each, which were analyzed twice for each ingredient. Samples and mean results (ng/10 ml) are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Ingredients H ₂ S
(ng /
10 ml) _CH3SH
(ng /
10 ml) (CH ₃ ) ₂ S
(ng /
10 ml) VSC in total*
(ng /
10 ml) H ₂ S
(ng /
10 ml) _CH3SH
(ng /
10 ml) (CH ₃ ) ₂ S
(ng /
10 ml) VSC in total*
(ng /
10 ml) blank sample 8.87 4.65 13.00 26.51 0.00 1.08 21.30 22.38 Honey 26.58 0.00 5.33 31.91 0.00 4.69 17.42 22.11 Spirulina 26.58 80.15 8.59 115.32 26.58 80.15 14.71 121.44 Honey +
spirulina 0.00 8.11 20.86 28.97 14.42 1.78 8.64 24.84

*VSCs in total are the combined amounts of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide

As shown in Table 1, the combination of honey and spirulina provides synergistic effects. Cycle 1 unexpectedly reduced hydrogen sulfide with the combination of honey and spirulina compared to each individual ingredient, which actually increased hydrogen sulfide when tested alone. In cycle 2, the dimethyl sulfide content was reduced by 59.4% compared to the blank, which exceeded the additive effect of honey (18.2%) and spirulina (30.9%) when measured separately. In cycles 1 and 2, synergistic data were obtained for the combination of honey and spirulina in reducing the content of both methyl mercaptan and VSC content in total compared to the results of testing each ingredient separately.

Example 2 In Vivo Study in Canine Animals

64 dogs were tested in four different groups (each group consisted of 16 dogs): no treat, treated with a dog dentifrice treat (Dentalife® by Nestle Purina Petcare), treated with a honey supplemented treat, and treated with a honey and spirulina supplemented treat. The formulations are shown in Table 2. Samples were collected and prepared by inserting a 1 ml syringe into the dog's mouth and drawing air from the mouth with the dog's mouth closed, and measured with an OralChroma portable gas chromatograph (manufactured by Nissha FIS, Inc.). The results are presented in table 3.

table 2

Ingredients Dentalife® Honey Honey + spirulina Protein (%) 10.3 8.9 9.3 Fat (%) 3.4 3.1 3.2 Carbohydrates (%) 72.0 74.3 72.9 Fiber (%) 0.2 0.3 0.6 Moisture (%) 11.8 11.2 12.1 Honey (%) - 1.4 1.4 Spirulina (%) - - 0.2

Table 3

Delicacy A week H ₂ S
(ng / 10 ml) _CH3SH
(ng / 10 ml) (CH ₃ ) ₂ S
(ng / 10 ml) VSC in total*
(ng / 10 ml) No treat 0** 0 0 0 0 one -0.18 -0.29 -0.59 -1.06 2 -0.11 -1.51 -6.47 -8.09 3 -0.92 -1.58 -4.01 -6.51 four -0.55 -2.55 -5.73 -8.82 Dentalife® 0** 0 0 0 0 one -1.14 -1.83 -5.17 -8.14 2 -0.68 -2.05 -9.01 -11.74 3 -1.17 -2.91 -8.05 -12.14 four -1.23 -2.71 -7.10 -11.04 Delight with honey 0 0 0 0 0 one -0.13 -1.83 -2.06 -4.02 2 -0.08 -1.72 -7.78 -9.58 3 -0.73 -3.90 -5.55 -10.18 four -0.30 -4.23 -7.04 -11.56 Delicacy honey +
spirulina 0 0 0 0 0 one -0.75 -6.77 -3.17 -10.69 2 -1.71 -6.56 -6.95 -15.22 3 -1.35 -8.05 -7.36 -16.76 four -1.85 -8.14 -7.44 -17.43

*VSCs in total are the combined amounts of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide

** Week 0 represents baseline, which is set to zero, with all subsequent measurements showing change from baseline

As shown in Table 3, canines that received the honey and spirulina treat performed significantly better than those that received the dentifrice treat or honey supplemented treat.

Example 3 In Vivo Study in Canine Animals

43 dogs were tested in three different groups: honey treat (15 dogs), spirulina treat (14 dogs) and combo treat (14 dogs), which were fed to dogs daily and odor data was collected. The formulations are shown in Table 4. Samples were collected and prepared by inserting a 1 ml syringe into the dog's mouth and drawing air from the mouth with the dog's mouth closed, and measured with an OralChroma portable gas chromatograph (manufactured by Nissha FIS, Inc.). The results are shown in Table 5.

Table 4

Ingredients Honey Spirulina Honey + spirulina Protein (%) 10.3 8.9 9.3 Fat (%) 3.4 3.1 3.2 Carbohydrates (%) 72.0 74.3 72.9 Fiber (%) 0.2 0.3 0.6 Moisture (%) 11.8 11.2 12.1 Honey (%) 1.4 — 1.4 Spirulina (%) - 0.2 0.2

Table 5

Delicacy A week H ₂ S
(ng / 10 ml) _CH3SH
(ng / 10 ml) (CH ₃ ) ₂ S
(ng / 10 ml) VSC in total*
(ng / 10 ml) Honey 0** 0 0 0 0 one -0.007 -0.098 0.330 0.225 2 -0.005 -0.099 -0.075 -0.178 3 0.023 -0.060 0.779 0.742 four -0.003 -0.094 -0.487 -0.585 5 0.011 -0.098 -0.802 -0.889 6 0.172 -0.088 -0.320 -0.235 7 0.532 -0.054 0.035 0.513 eight 0.270 -0.093 -0.256 -0.079 Spirulina 0** 0 0 0 0 one -0.010 0.031 0.191 0.213 2 -0.039 0.203 0.177 0.341 3 0.035 0.203 0.955 1.193 four -0.001 0.110 -0.165 -0.056 5 -0.013 0.014 -0.304 -0.303 6 0.199 0.081 -0.194 0.086 7 0.675 0.129 0.357 1.161 eight 0.431 0.056 -0.003 0.484 Honey + spirulina 0** 0 0 0 0 one 0.004 -0.070 0.367 0.302 2 0.013 0.013 -0.127 -0.100 3 0.035 0.060 0.485 0.579 four 0.009 -0.005 -0.480 -0.475 5 0.022 -0.035 -0.250 -0.263 6 0.362 0.008 -0.238 0.132 7 0.631 0.050 0.392 1.073 eight 0.481 0.009 -0.422 0.068 Expected additive effect 0** 0 0 0 0 one -0.017 -0.066 0.521 0.438 2 -0.043 0.105 0.102 0.163 3 0.058 0.143 1.735 1.935 four -0.004 0.015 -0.652 -0.641 5 -0.002 -0.084 -1.106 -1.192 6 0.371 -0.007 -0.514 -0.150 7 1.207 0.075 0.392 1.674 eight 0.701 -0.038 -0.259 0.405

*VSCs in total are the combined amounts of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide

** Week 0 represents baseline, which is set to zero, with all subsequent measurements showing change from baseline

As shown in Table 4, the present combination of honey and spirulina provided synergistic results for hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and total volatile sulfur compounds compared to the expected additive effect. The target combination for the treat is more effective in reducing volatile sulfur compounds than would be expected based on honey alone or spirulina alone.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the currently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended benefits. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover such changes and modifications.

Claims (11)

1. A method for reducing bad breath in a dog, comprising oral administration to the dog of a composition containing honey and spirulina. 2. The method according to p. 1, in which honey is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.001 to 50 wt.% of the composition. 3. The method according to p. 1, in which spirulina is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.001 to 50 wt.% of the composition. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and mixtures thereof. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is a pet food, pet treat, or supplement. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is a pet treat. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered to the dog daily for at least one week. 8. Composition for reducing bad breath in a dog, containing honey and spirulina, which is a pet food, pet treat or supplement. 9. Composition according to claim 8, in which honey is present in an amount of from 0.001 to 50 wt.% of the composition, and spirulina is present in an amount of from 0.001 to 50 wt.% of the composition. 10. The composition of claim. 8, which additionally contains a component selected from the group consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fat and mixtures thereof. 11. The composition of claim 8 which is a pet treat.