BACKGROUND

Halitosis is a common ailment among animals including humans and companion animals. As all pet owners are aware, the smell of a pet's breath can be rank enough to repulse the pets' owners, as well as the owners' friends and relatives, thereby adversely affecting the emotional bond between dog and human. Remedies, such as mouthwashes, pastes, and gels, exist for use in combating halitosis as well as “fresheners,” i.e., cover-up liquids and solids, which can be administered to humans or companion animals. Additionally, chemical sprays and cleansers can be applied to an oral cavity to combat bad breath.

However, “fresheners” generally do nothing more than temporarily mask the problem of bad breath in animals. Additionally, various fresheners, mouthwashes, gels, and the like can contain active substances that are not always desirable such as alcohols and zinc compounds.

To the extent that offensive odors arise from the oral cavity alone, scraping of plaque and tartar buildup from the animal's teeth is a known remedy, though one usually requiring the expertise and expense of a dental practitioner or veterinarian. While tartar and plaque removal can be effective and beneficial from a dental perspective, the offensive odors from the animal's mouth are neither entirely eliminated, nor even reduced for an appreciable amount of time. Such scraping does not eliminate the odor-causing bacteria, but only a particular breeding place for such bacteria.

Therefore, research and development of oral care compositions and methods for humans and companion animals continued to be sought.

SUMMARY

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

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

Additionally, a composition for treating, preventing, or minimizing bad breath in an animal can comprise honey andspirulina.

Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description.

