Maintaining optimal dental hygiene for our beloved pets is crucial for their overall health and well-being. With a vast array of products available, navigating the options to find the most effective solutions for reducing plaque and tartar buildup can be challenging. This is where the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) plays a vital role, offering a trusted seal of acceptance that assures pet owners of a product’s efficacy. This comprehensive guide delves into the VOHC, its rigorous review process, and why its seal is a key indicator of quality dental care for both dogs and cats.
The Prevalence of Dental Issues in Pets
The statistics are striking: approximately 93% of dogs and 88% of cats over the age of three years suffer from some form of tooth or gum disease. This widespread issue underscores the importance of proactive dental care and the need for reliable products that can genuinely make a difference. Recognizing this, the VOHC was established to provide an objective standard for evaluating pet dental products.
What is the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)?
Founded in 1997, the VOHC emerged from discussions among veterinary professionals seeking a standardized method to identify and acknowledge superior pet dental products. It is comprised of volunteer veterinarians, including board-certified specialists in veterinary dentistry and other experts in the field. Their primary mission is to award a seal of acceptance to products that have demonstrated, through rigorous scientific evidence, a significant reduction in plaque and tartar.
Does the VOHC Conduct Its Own Trials?
It’s important to clarify that the VOHC does not conduct its own clinical trials. Instead, it acts as an independent evaluating body. Manufacturers seeking the VOHC Seal must submit comprehensive data from their own clinical trials, which are conducted according to strict protocols. The VOHC meticulously reviews this data to ensure the claimed benefits are scientifically substantiated. This process simplifies choices for pet owners and provides veterinarians with a reliable basis for recommendations.
The VOHC’s Role in Product Evaluation
The core responsibility of the VOHC is to thoroughly assess applications from manufacturers based on the results of their independent trials. Before a trial commences, manufacturers provide the VOHC with their proposed trial protocol for review and feedback. Upon completion of the trials, detailed data, product samples, and a submission fee are provided to the VOHC. The council analyzes key metrics, including “mean mouth scores” for plaque and tartar, as well as gingivitis scores, to validate claims of plaque and tartar reduction. This diligent evaluation not only aids consumers but also encourages further research and development in the pet oral health sector.
Understanding the VOHC Seal of Acceptance
The VOHC Seal of Acceptance is a distinguished mark granted to products that have successfully passed stringent criteria. To earn this seal, a product must demonstrate at least a 20% reduction in plaque and/or tartar in two separate sets of clinical trials. This high standard ensures that only the most effective products receive the designation, helping them stand out in a crowded market.
Products bearing the VOHC Seal will typically be labeled with one or both of the following designations:
- Helps Control Plaque: Indicates a reduction of plaque (a bacterial film) by 20% or more.
- Helps Control Tartar: Signifies a reduction in tartar buildup (hardened plaque) by at least 20%.
Meeting these criteria often means the product’s effectiveness is comparable to the mechanical action of brushing.
The VOHC Review and Approval Process
For a product to earn the VOHC Seal, manufacturers must navigate a multi-step process involving clinical trials and subsequent data review by the VOHC. Key components of this process include:
Product Sponsor and Trial Site
The manufacturer (product sponsor) is responsible for funding the trials and submitting all necessary documentation. They must also organize clinical trials, which can be conducted at a dedicated laboratory animal facility or a veterinary clinic by a trial site owner or official.
Chemical Agent Policy and Safety
Manufacturers must ensure that any chemical agents used in their products are safe for animal consumption and do not exacerbate gingivitis. Agents must be generally regarded as safe (GRAS) or, if new, have been reviewed and accepted as safe by the FDA. Safety history documentation is required for novel chemical agents.
The Two-Trial Requirement
To ensure consistency and repeatability of results, manufacturers must conduct two distinct sets of trials. This rigorous approach confirms that the product performs reliably as claimed.
Types of Clinical Trials
Two primary trial designs are accepted:
- Parallel Trials: Involve two separate groups of animals, with one group receiving the product treatment and the other undergoing a control procedure (e.g., no treatment or only tooth brushing).
- Cross-Over Trials: Utilize the same group of animals over two distinct phases. One phase might involve no treatment or just brushing, followed by a phase where the product is administered. Each phase must last at least 28 days, with a separation period of at least seven days between phases.
The data from both trials are then compiled into a final application packet submitted to the VOHC for review. Successful completion of this process leads to the awarding of the VOHC Seal.
Enhancing Your Pet’s Dental Care Routine
While products with the VOHC Seal are highly beneficial, the cornerstone of optimal pet dental health remains regular tooth brushing—ideally daily, or at least every other day. Supplementing brushing with VOHC-approved dental chews, treats, rinses, and water additives can significantly bolster oral hygiene.
When selecting dental care products for your dog or cat, always look for the VOHC Seal of Acceptance. Collaborating with your veterinarian is also paramount, as they can provide personalized recommendations based on your pet’s specific needs and health status.
Frequently Asked Questions About the VOHC
What is the VOHC?
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is a group of volunteer veterinary dentistry experts who evaluate claims made by pet oral health product manufacturers regarding their effectiveness in reducing plaque and tartar. Products meeting the established criteria receive a VOHC Seal of Acceptance.
How do products achieve VOHC approval?
Products earn VOHC acceptance by successfully completing two sets of clinical trials. These trials must demonstrate that the product is at least 20% as effective as tooth brushing in reducing plaque and/or tartar in pets.
Is the VOHC a legitimate organization?
Yes, the VOHC is a legitimate organization composed of board-certified veterinary dentists and other recognized experts in the field of veterinary dentistry. Their extensive education and practical experience lend significant credibility to their seal of approval.
References
- PetMD. Dog and Cat Dental Care Products. https://www.petmd.com/hub/pet-dental-health
- Bellows J. The Ultimate Guide to Veterinary Dental Home Care. DVM360. May 4, 2017. https://www.dvm360.com/view/ultimate-guide-veterinary-dental-home-care
- Veterinary Oral Health Council. Earn the VOHC Seal. https://vohc.org/earn-the-vohc-seal/
- American Veterinary Dental College. https://avdc.org/
