WO2004010962A1

WO2004010962A1 - Liquid composition for protecting oral cavities and teeth of pet animals and use thereof in plaything for pet animals

Info

Publication number: WO2004010962A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/001539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bon-Gil Koo
Original assignee: Bon-Gil Koo
Priority date: 2002-07-31
Filing date: 2003-07-30
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: AU2003256095A1

Abstract

Disclosed are a liquid composition for protecting oral cavities and teeth of pet animals and the use thereof in playthings for pet animals. The liquid composition comprises xylitol in the amount of 10-50 weight parts; chitosan in the amount of 0.05-20 weight parts; an auxiliary component in the amount of 0.001-6 weight parts, selected from the group consisting of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D3, allantoin, calcium gluconate, amino acids, collagen, and combinations thereof; and water in the balance to 100 weight parts, and ranges in viscosity from 700 to 4,000 cps and in pH from 5.5 to 7. The composition can clean the oral cavities of pet animals thanks to its antibacterial activity. When it is applied to a plaything, the composition is effectively used to inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria and remove dental calculus, foul odor, dental cavities, and plagues.

Description

LIQUID COMPOSITION FOR PROTECTING ORAL CAVITIES AND TEETH OF PET

ANIMALS AND USE THEREOF IN PLAYTHING FOR PET ANIMALS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a liquid composition for protecting oral cavities

and teeth of pet animals and use thereof in playtiiings for pet animals. More particularly,

the present invention pertains to an edible liquid composition which aids pet animals to

clean their teeth and oral cavities by themselves by chewing plaj^hings containing the same.

Background Art

Dental caries is one of the oldest maladies from which the mankind has suffered.

Statistical data demonstrates that the attack rate of dental caries has increased with an

increased consumption of sugar. Naturally, wild animals do not suffer from such dental

caries. However, pet animals tend to suffer from dental caries as people let them eat

confectionaries or sug-ff-containing artificial meals.

Accompanied by the breakdown of the teeth, dental caries has multiple causes,

according to the interaction among bacteria of dental plague, food, and saliva. In the

bacteria of dental plague, Streptococcus mutans is the most causative of tooth decay. The

causative organism adheres to tooth surfaces, proliferates, and produces acid to cause tooth

decay. In detail, after adhering to tooth surfaces, S. mutans produces glucos3ltransferase

(Gtase) which synthesizes the insoluble glucose polymer, i.e., glucan, from sucrose of the ingested food. Such insoluble glucan, almost all of which is known to have α-1,3 bond, serves to promote the combination of bacteria which proliterate on the tooth surfaces. The

causative bacteria settled on tooth surfaces produces organic acids such as lactic acid in the

course of carbohydrate metabolism to cause tooth decalcification. decaying the teetli.

Dental calculus is a cause of tooth decay as well as a main cause of paradentitis.

A tooth disease is called gingivitis when inflammation is restricted to the gingiva, but is

called paradentitis when inflammation develops at the teeth and gums, especially the

alveolus. Through calcification, plague develops to dental calculus, which is more destructive to the teeth. Bacterial plague is the principal cause of gingivitis, whose chronic

state can develop to paradentitis.

Animals can neither clean their dental cavities and teeth nor remove the remains by

themselves after ingestion of foods. Dental cavities and teeth of animals have various usages, for example, ingest foods and take breath, as well as carrying and biting target

objects. That is, dental cavities and teeth function as human hands, or more. The objects

contacted by the dental cavities and teetli of animals are not limited to clean objects.

Animals taste, grasp and lick unsanitary objects by use of their dental cavities and teeth, by

which dental diseases are also caused.

Not only can animals not brush their teeth by themselves, but it is difficult for

persons to brush animals' teeth. Aiiimals dislike tooth brushing itself. Although their

teeth are brushed, animals cannot spit the tooth paste out, but swallow it.

Conventional tooth pastes for animals comprise abrasives, softeners, sweeteners

for neutralizmg bitter tastes, perfumes for neutralizing halitosis, and thickeners. Plague can

be partially removed by the abrasives. However, it is necessaiy to brush the teeth of annuals every day to protect them from decay. Moreover, conventional toothpastes for

animals are not effective in cleaning dental cavities, removing harmful microorganisms, foul

breath, plague, and preventing paradentitis.

In order to overcome the problems described above, Korean Pat. Laid-Open No.

93-3880 discloses chewable toothpaste for pet animals, which aims to clean the teeth and

prevent the occurrence of dental diseases. This toothpaste comprises an unbreakable

porous solid central portion with a size and shape suitable to the dental cavity and a jacket

firmly covering the central portion. The central portion is composed of elastic open cells,

each filled with foam containing water-soluble perfumes and abrasives, and the jacket is of a

network structure composed of elastic tooth-flossing threads. The network structure

contains pores which are large enough for animal teeth to pass therethrough. Whenever

passing through the pores, the teeth are flossed.

However, the jacket which firmly covers the central portion composed of elastic porous opening cells makes it difficult for the teeth to pass through the central portion.

Even through the teeth go into the cells, they do not easily come out of the cells. Because

the jacket is too tough, the teeth or the gum just adjacent to the teeth may be damaged

whenever the animals chew the toothpaste. It is found that the tooth area near the gums is

not cleaned with the toothpaste. The prior art also suffers from the drawback that it is

impossible to recharge new toothpaste into the cells when the existing toothpaste in the cells

is exhausted.

Disclosure of the Invention Leading to the present invention, the intensive and thorough research on the

protection of the oral cavities and teeth of pet animals from tooth-decaying bacteria,

conducted by the present inventors with the aim of avoiding the problems encountered in

prior arts, resulted in developing a novel liquid composition for protecting oral cavities and

teeth of pet animals, which is very useful in inlnbiting tl e growth of oral bacteria such as S. mutans, thereby preventing the formation of plague and the generation of dental caries.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid composition

for protecting the oral cavities and teeth of pet animals, with which pet animals can clean their oral cavities by themselves only by chewing a plaything containing the composition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the use of the liquid

composition in playthings which are suitable to be chewed by pet animals, thereby keeping

the oral cavities of pet animals clean for a long time.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid

composition for protecting oral cavities and teeth of pet animals, which comprises xylitol in

tlie amount of 10-50 weight parts; chitosan in the amount of 0.05-20 weight parts; an

auxiliary component in the amount of 0.001-6 weight parts, tl e auxiliary component being

vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D3, allantoin, calcium gluconate, a ino acids, collagen or combinations thereof; and water in the balance to 100 weight parts, and ranges in viscosity

from 700 to 4,000 cps and in pH from 5.5 to 7. In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a plaything for protecting oral

cavities and teeth of pet animals, comprising a porous inner filling material made of soft

synthetic sponge or chemical cotton, and an outer envelope fabricated with synthetic fibers

in a lace or network stitching manner, the outer envelope serving to encompass the inner filling material in a predetermined form, the inner filling material containing the

composition.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention

will be more clearly understood from tlie following detailed description taken in conjunction

with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a plaything for pet animals,

which contain a liquid composition for protecting the oral cavities and teeth of pet animals; and

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line A- A of Fig. 1.

Best Mode for Carrying Out tl e Invention

The present invention pertains to a liquid composition for protecting the oral

cavities and teeth of pet animals, which comprises xylitol, chitosan, and one or more

auxiliary component selected from the group consisting of vitamin B2, B6 and D3,

allantoin, calcium gluconate, amino acids and collagen. The liquid composition may

further comprise a wetting agent, perfume, and/or pigment.

The term "pet aiimals" as used in the present invention refers to all of the toothed

animals which are bred as pets, exemplified by dogs and cats, but is not limited thereto.

Xylitol is an odorless five-carbon saccharide alcohol which can be obtained as a white crystal powder by tlie reduction of xyliose, and which dissolves well in water. As

xylitol is found to be 0.9 times as sweet as sugar without harmful effects, xylitol has been

widely used as a sweetener, instead of sugar, especially in confectionaries, gum and

chocolate. Xylitol is almost free of toxicity (the same level as glucose), and cools the user

when it is ingested. Its energy content is 3.57 kcal per gram. However, excess ingestion thereof may cause diarrhea. Because xylitol is not fermented by oral bacteria, it does not

cause dental caries. Therefore, it inhibits the growth of S. mutans, resulting in obstructing

the formation of plague and the production of acid in plague and preventing the leaching of

minerals from the enamel coat of the teeth.

In accordance with the present invention, xylitol is used in tlie amount of 10-50 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the composition. For example, when the amount

of xylitol is less than 10 weight parts, a desirable effect is not derived from xylitol. In

contrast, if the content of xylitol exceeds 50 weight parts, the composition is too sweet,

providing excessive calories, causing diarrhea. Chitosan is a deacetylated derivative of chitin, a polysaccharide found in the shell

of crustaceans, which consists of poly-β-l,4-N-acetyl-D-glycosamine. Chitosan, a fibroid material similar to the plant polysaccharide cellulose, aids to eliminate waste materials from

the body and activates cells in many tissues. In detail, having a structure suitable to wind

around other materials, like a coarse wad of cotton, the fibrous chitosan can eliminate waste

materials. Additionally, its positively charged amino acids are helpful in the elimination of

negatively charged harmful materials from the body. Chitosan is an amorphous lipophilic

powder with moisture retention effects, and is harmless to the body. It is found that

chitosan promotes the growth of bacteria beneficial to the bod)', but exhibits potent antibacterial activity against haπnful ones.

Chitin is similar in structure to but different in physical properties from cellulose

and is neither dissolved in water and organic solvents nor in diluted acid and alkali.

However, chitosan is dissolved in diluted acid. With the aim of inliibiting the growth of

microorganisms in oral cavities to prevent dental caries, cliitosan, thus, can be used in tl e

composition of tl e present invention. Moreover, chitosan serves to absorb oral odor, keeping the mouth fresh for a long time. The potent antibacterial activity of chitosan

contributes to tl e prevention of dental caries, paradentitis and gingivitis. Another

advantage of chitosan resides in its contribution to the antibacterial activity of the

composition. In result, tlie presence of cliitosan makes tlie use of antiseptics in the

composition unnecessary, bringing about many advantages thanks to tl e absence of

antibacterial agents. For example, an excess of artificial antiseptics or germicidals irritates

the oral mucosa and has side effects on the body. Also, the antiseptics or germicidals generate chemical odors offensive to pet animals and thus makes the toothpaste unsuitable

for the mouth of pet animals.

Preferably, chitosan is used in tlie amount of 0.05-20 weight parts based on 100

weight parts of the composition. For example, when chitosan is used in an amount less

than 0.05 weight parts, its antibacterial and anti-plague activity is only slight. On the other

hand, an amount of chitosan over 20 weight parts is economically unfavorable.

In order to supply nutrition to the teeth and gums as well as antibacterial activity and anti-iiiflammation effects, an auxiliary component is selected from the group consisting

of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D3, allantoin, calcium gluconate, amino acids, collagen,

and combinations thereof. The amount preferably falls into the range of 0.001-6 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the composition in accordance with the present invention.

For example, if the amount of the auxiliary component is below 0.001 weight parts, desired

antibacterial activity and removal of oral odor cannot be expected. On the other hand, if

tl e auxiliary component is present over 6 weight parts in the composition, supemuuition as

well as an increase in tl e production cost may result.

Vitamin B2, called riboflavin, is obtained as an orange-colored or yellow crystal which carries a tinge of yellowish green fluorescence in water. FMN (flavin

mononucleotide) and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide), both coenzymes of

dehydrogenases in the body, are derived from vitamin B2. Dehydrogenases belong to tlie

enzyme group responsible for the redox reaction system in which hydrogen is transferred

from substrates, finally to oxygen, to give water with the production of energy. Therefore,

vitamin B2 is indispensable for the metabolism of energy sources, that is, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Insufficient supply of vitamin B2 hinders their metabolisms, causing

various deficiency diseases including glossitis, cheilitis, commissural cheilitis, skin diseases,

eye diseases such as conjunctivitis and cataract.

Vitamin B6 may be contained in the composition of the present invention. In the

present invention, substances showing efficacy of vitamin B6 is collectively referred to as vitamin B6. Suitable are pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine as vitamin B6. In the

body, vitamin B6 binds to phosphoric acid- to form pyridoxal phosphate which is the

prosthetic group of all fransaminases which catalyze the transfer of an amino group from an

amino acid to a keto acid. Also, pyridoxial phosphate related enzymes are widely involved

in amino acid and protein metabolisms, such as removal of an SH group from a sulfur-

containing amino acid and removal of carbon dioxide and amino moieties from amino acids. Its deficiency syndromes are similar to those generated upon tlie deficiency of nicotinate or

vitamin B2. That is, persons who are in the eai'ly stage of vitamin B6 deficiency suffer

from inflan iation at the eye rims, tlie eyebrow, tl e lips and tlie tongue and then from

vertigo, nausea, weight loss, anemia, renal calculus, and convulsions in the late stage.

As described above, the present composition contains vitamin B6 and/or vitamin

B2 as a nuuϊtion source for the teeth and gums.

Vitamin D3 plays an essential role in the control of calcium and phosphorus

metabolism. In detail, vitamin D3 stimulates the synthesis of calcium-binding proteins

necessary for calcium absorption so as to promote the absorption of calcium and phosphate

in the intestine. When their levels in blood are mcreased, calcium and phosphate are

combined with each other and deposited in the bone. Thus, deficiency of vitamin D3

causes calcium phosphate not to be normally deposited in the bone, hindering the

calcification of the teeth. In result, those deficient in vitamin D3 may suffer from rickets, osteomalacia, dental cavities and oral cavity diseases.

When it is used along with vitamin D3, allantoin, which can be extracted from

comfrey, shows a synergistic effect. In addition, allantoin is useful in the prevention of the

diseases frequently generated in old animals, such as gum bleeding, gum inflammation,

ulcer, paradentitis and gingivitis and in the healing of swelling.

Calcium gluconate is used in medicines for treating oral diseases. In the body, the

salt exists as a 6-phosphate ester which is an intermediate in glucose metabolism.

Collagen, a family of fibrous proteins (scleroprotein), is the major element of skin,

bone, tendon, cartilage, blood vessels, and teeth as well as fish scales. Collagen has

complicated branching patterns. The fibrous protein is not dissolved in water and dilute acid and alkali, but is transformed into the dissolved form gelatin when boiled in water.

Collagen is hardly hydrolyzed by protein h3'drolyzing enzymes, but is a substrate of

collagenase. Bone has a nano-stmcture, comprising hydroxyappatite and organic materials

constitute. Since Irydroxyappatite in a hard state cannot disperse an impact to the bone, the

organic material collagen talces such a function. Collagen gives elasticity to various tissues such as bone, cartilage, and skin. As tl e number of intermolecular covalent cross-links

among collagen molecules is decreased, tlie bone or teeth become weak.

Amino acids, also called glycocoll or aminoacetic acids, are basic elements of

proteins. Amino acids are dissolved in water, but not in organic solvents such as alcohol

and ether. Glycine, the only amino acid which has no chiral carbon atoms, shows no

optical isomerism and is sweet. Proteins are a basic material necessary for the growth, development, maintenance, and repair of cells. They are used in production of hormones,

enzymes, antibodies, and neurotransmitters and as precursors of DNA and RNA. Also,

proteins contribute to balance between acid and alkali in addition to being an energy source.

Almost all of the amino acids obtamed in nature are alpha types which combine with each

other to form peptides or proteins.

The composition which comprises the constituents described above can inhibit the

growth of S. mutans, obstruct the formation of plagues and decrease the production of acids

in plagues. In accordance with the present invention, the composition may further comprise a

wetting agent with the aim of keeping oral mucosa wet, selected from the group consisting

of sorbitol, glucose, glycerine and mixtures thereof. The wetting agent is preferably

further used in the amount of 1 to 20 weight parts based on 100 parts of the composition. Also, the composition of the present invention may further comprise edible

pigments and/or perfumes so as to incite pet animals to eat the composition with appealing

colors and smell. Besides, an antiseptic selected from among sodium benzoate, potassium

sorbinate, and mixtures thereof may be optionally used, hi order to control the viscosity of

d e composition, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose or mixtures thereof

may be used optionally. The composition may further comprise a pH adjusting agent. Of course, all the optional elements must be edible.

After being mixed homogeneously, the composition of the present invention is

edible and required to range in viscosity from 700 to 4,000 cps and in pH from 5.5 to 7 in

consideration of not only the alkali neutralization of the skin in oral mucosa but also pH

buffering effect. For instance, a composition with a viscosity less than 700 cps easily runs

out of a plaything when it is injected into the plaything which will be described later. On

the other hand, a composition whose viscosity is over 4,000 cps is too viscous to handle.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a plaything for pet animals. The

plaything consists of inner filling materials 1 and an outer envelope 2 for sealing the filling

materials 1 in a predetermined shape. Each of the filling materials 1 is porous, soft

synthetic sponge or chemical cotton. The outer envelope 2 is confined in a pattern which

is made of synthetic fibers in a lace or network stitching manner.

The inner filling materials into which the composition of the present invention is injected are responsible for the mechanical cleansing of the teeth and the massaging of the

gums. In detail, when pet animals repeatedly chew the plaything, which corresponds to

tooth-brushing, the teeth reach deep points of tlie filling materials 1 and thus are cleaned by

the filling materials and through repetitive mechanical abrasion. To this end, the inner fillers 1, which play an essential role in determining the

shape of the plashing, are formed in a size and shape suitable for the oral cavities and teetli

of target animals. The inner filling materials have pores which are fitted to the sizes of the

teeth, and are exemplified by soft synthetic sponge or chemical cotton.

The outer envelope 2 is responsible for the cleaning of oral mucous membranes,

with a supplementary function of encompassing the filling materials 1 lest they are

decomposed or broken. In order to not only cover all of the inner filling materials 1 but

also for the teeth of pet animals to easily pass the outer envelope 2 to reach a core part of the

inner filling materials 1, the outer envelope 2 is preferably made of synthetic fibers which

are stitched in a network or lace pattern. The stitching is preferably finished by sealing lest

the outer envelope 2 be deformed or damaged.

In accordance with the present invention, the outer envelope 2 preferably has a

cylindrical or bony form, but is not limited thereto. The porous synthetic sponge or cotton preferably ranges in density (apparent specific gravity) from 0.02 g/cm to 0.20 g/cm . For

example, if the density is below 0.02 g/cm³, the synthetic sponge or chemical cotton is too

loose to exhibit a freshing effect. On the other hand, if tlie density is over 0.20 g/cm , the

synthetic sponge or cotton is so dense that materials are wasted. In addition, the

composition fails to infiltrate into a deep point between teeth.

Each of the cells of the outer envelope fabricated in a network or lace stitching

manner preferably ranges, in size, from 0.20 mm² to 100 mm². For example, if the size of

the cells is less than 0.20 mm², the outer envelope is too dense to fresh the teeth and to be

formed in a stitching manner. On the other hand, if the cells are over 100 mm² in size, tlie

outer envelope is too sparse to protect tlie synthetic sponge or cotton. Into the inner filling materials 1 of the plaything, the edible, water-soluble

composition of the present invention is injected. Whenever pet animals chew the

plaything, the inner filling materials 1 are compressed by the teeth, so that the confined

composition of the present invention is squeezed out to achieve the object of the present

mvention. The composition of the present invention is injected upon necessity and its

dosage, depending on the size of the playttiing, preferably ranges from 0.01 to 0.50 ml/cm³

and more preferably from 0.10 to 0.30 ml/cm³.

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtamed through the

following example which is set forth to illustrate, but is not to be construed as the limit of

the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

30 weight parts of xylitol, 0.1 weight parts of chitosan, 0.3 weight parts of vitamin

B6, 0.001 weight parts of vitamin D3, 0.3 weight parts of allantoin and 0.5 weight parts of

calcium gluconate were homogeneously mixed in a suitable amount of water. To this

mixture, 1.2 weight parts of cellulose gum was added as a viscosity controller to give 100 weight parts of a composition with a viscosity of about 2,770 cps and pH 6.1.

EXAMPLE 2

The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated, with the exception that 0.005

weight parts of a pigment and 0.5 weight parts of a perfume were further used. Addition of 1.2 weight parts of cellulose gum gave a composition with a viscosity of about 2,700 cps

and pH 6.2.

EXAMPLE S

The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated, with tl e exception that 4.0 weight parts of sorbitol and 4.0 weight parts of glycerine were further used. Addition of

1.0 weight parts of cellulose gum gave a composition with a viscosity of about 2,750 cps and pH 6.2.

EXAMPLE 4

The same procedure as in Example 3 was repeated, with the exception that 0.005 weight parts of a pigment and 0.5 weight parts of a perfume were further used. Addition of

1.0 weight parts of cellulose gum gave a composition with a viscosity of about 2,700 cps and pH 6.1.

EXAMPLE 5

5 ml of the composition prepared in Example 1 was injected through a syringe into

a plaything of a bone shape. The playtliing was 75 cm³ in total volume. Its inner filling

materials were made of synthetic cotton with a density of about 1 g/cm³ and tl e pore size of the outer envelope was 4 mm³. EXAMPLE 6

The same procedure as in Example 5 was repeated, with the exception that the

composition prepared in Example 2 was mjected instead of tl e composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 7

The same procedure as in Example 5 was repeated, with the exception that the

composition prepared in Example 3 was injected instead of the composition of Example 1.

EXAMPLE 8

The same procedure as in Example 5 was repeated, with the exception that the

composition prepared in Example 4 was injected instead of tl e composition of Example 1.

The compositions prepared in the examples were tested as follows.

[Selection of Test A-nimals]

7-month-old Schnauzer dogs were examined for oral diseases by inspection and

exploration. 15 dogs which had not suffered from plague and oral diseases were selected

as test animals. [Test Conditions]

While being given proper exercise, the 15 test animals were fed with artificial

fodder for three months (twelve weeks) in a room which was well lit and ventilated. For

the test, 4 lumps of soft caramel, each weighing 10 g and containing 4 weight parts of sugar,

6 weight parts of grain syrup, and suitable amounts of condensed milk, margarine,

rnonoglycerine, and perfume, were supplied to the test animals in 4 times a day. 15 test

dogs were grouped in 5 groups each consisting of 3 dogs. Four groups were fed with a

lump of the caramel four times a day and allowed to play with playthings containing the

compositions prepared in Examples 5 to 8, respectively, between meals. For comparison,

the last three dogs were given playthings covered with a fabric. The teeth and oral cavities of the test -mimals were examined and the results are given in Table 1, below.

[Test and Evaluation]

Evaluation of the compositions used resorted to a disclosing solution or tablet test,

a modified Snyder test by use of cariostat, a favorite test, and an observation of use frequency of playthings.

# Test l

Disclosing solution or tablet test

Using a disclosing agent, the teeth of the test animals were colored once every two

weeks over three months (6 times in total) to detenxine the presence or absence and the

position of plague on the tooth surface. The color results were evaluated according to a

PHP index method. #Test 2

Modified Snyder test by use of cariostat

Tliis test is useful to examine the quantity and activity of acid-producing bacteria in

oral cavities. Based on the fact that bacteria contained in plagues or saliva produce acids,

the activity of the bacteria was examined by a color test. Cotton balls were scrubbed once

every two weeks for three months (6 times in total) against the narrow faces of the molar

teeth of the upper and lower jaws to take bacteria which were then incubated in media at 37

°C for 48 hours. Colors of the media were compared to determine the activity of the bacteria.

#Test 3

Favorite test by observation

The compositions were repeatedly supplied to examine the preference to the

compositions. In detail, from the time that playthings into which the compositions were

injected were given to test animals, observation was made of their chewing levels.

#Test 4

Observation of playthings for evaluation of use frequency

In order to evaluate the use frequency of the compositions, the playthings were

given to test animals and replaced with fresh ones until they were worn out to the extent that

they could not be recharged with the compositions. The use frequency was evaluated by

the number of the playthings used to the final date of the test. The higher the number, tlie greater the use frequency.

The results obtained in tl e tests are summarized in Table 1, below.

TABLE 1

PHP index was evaluated according to the following standards: good 0-1 ; moderate 1-2; poor 2-3; bad 3-5

" Standards for evaluating the formation of acid-producing bacteria are given in Table 2,

below.

TABLE 2

Standards for evaluating the favorite are given in Table 3, below.

TABLE 3

Slightly poor as they are in tlie favorite and use frequency, the overall results of the

compositions of Examples 5 and 7 are good enough to accomplish the objects of the present

invention. Particularly, the compositions of Examples 6 and 8 are improved in favorite

and use frequency because they are supplemented with the odor and taste favored by dogs,

thereby bringing about excellent test results.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the composition of the present invention can clean the oral

cavities of pet animals thanks to its antibacterial activity. In addition, when it is applied to

the plaything of the present invention, the composition is effectively used to inhibit the

growth of harmful oral bacteria and remove dental calculus, foul odor, dental cavities, and plagues. In addition, the plaything of tlie present invention can be washed and thus reused

semi-permanently to bring about economic benefit.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed

for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the

invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A liquid composition for protecting oral cavities and teetli of pet animals, which

comprises xylitol in the amount of 10-50 weight parts; cliitosan in the amount of 0.05-20

weight parts; an auxiliary component in the amount of 0.001-6 weight parts, selected from

the group consisting of vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D3, allantoin, calcium gluconate,

ammo acids, collagen, and combinations thereof; and water in the balance to 100 weight

parts, and ranges in viscosity from 700 to 4,000 cps and in pH from 5.5 to 7.

2. The liquid composition as defined in claim 1, further comprising a wetting agent selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glucose, glycerine, and mixtures thereof, in

the amount of 1 -20 weight parts based on 100 weight parts of the composition.

3. The liquid composition as defined in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pigment and/or a perfume.

4. The liquid composition as defined in claim 1, wherein said pet animals are cats

or dogs.

5. A playtliing for protecting oral cavities and teeth of pet animals, comprising a

porous inner filling materials made of soft syntiietic sponge or chemical cotton, and an outer

envelope fabricated with synthetic fibers in a lace or network stitching manner, said outer

envelope serving to encompass the inner filling materials in a predeteπnined form, said hmer filling materials containing the composition in accordance with any one of claims 1 to

4.

6. The playl± ng as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer envelope has a cylindrical or bony form.

7. The plaything as defined in claim 5, wherein said sponge or said cottons ranges

in density from 0.02 g/cm to 0.20 g/cm .

8. The plaything as defined in claim 5, wherein said outer envelope has opening

• 9 9 cells ranging, in size, from 0.20 mm to 100 mm .

9. The plaything as defined in claim 5, wherein said composition is injected in the

dosage of 0.01-0.5 ml/cm into the filling materials.