Kelly, personally my cats have done great on Wellness and they love to
eat it too! :)I've never tried the lighter variety, as Audrey was losing
a *teeny* bit of weight on the regular (she also got a little more
active since I moved into my house). Let me know if you try the lighter
variety and how your kitty does. Then I'll have to build my other two a
special area that Audrey can't get into for their regular food! :)

K

It should be prescribed by the veterinarian who has made the judgment
based upon what s/he knows of the animal.

Finney O, Logan EI, Simone AJ, et al.   Effects of diet on existing
plaque, calculus and gingivitis in dogs.   Proceedings. 10th Annual
Veterinary Dental Forum, Houston, TX, 1996: 143-146.
Synopsis: The principal objective of this study was to investigate
effects of a dental food (Canine t/d®) on gingivitis and supragingival
plaque and calculus in dogs having not had previous oral care.
Additionally, if the food could be shown to affect existing dental
substrates and gingivitis, how quickly would such changes occur?
Thirty-six beagle dogs were used in this study. None of the animals
had had any previous oral care, nor had any been used in previous
dental studies. Baseline scores for gingival inflammation and
supragingival accumulations of plaque and calculus were obtained on
Day 0. The baseline calculus scores were used to block the animals
into feeding groups of five dogs. None of the feeding groups had
significantly different mean calculus scores. The control group was
fed Purina® Dog Chow® and the treatment group was fed Canine t/d®.
Dogs were examined at weeks 2, 3, 6, 8, 12 and 16. Results were
generally consistent with those previously obtained when the same
products were studied in a "clean-tooth" model. For every index
measured, dogs fed Canine t/d® achieved significantly improved scores
compared to the group fed the control diet. The control group showed a
significant increase in plaque and calculus accumulation over the
16-week period and no significant change in gingival inflammation.
Conversely, the test group fed Canine t/d® showed significant
decreases in gingival inflammation and in supragingival plaque and
calculus accumulations. The most surprising aspect of these results
was that significant changes were seen within two weeks when using
Canine t/d®.
Clinical Relevance: For young, adult dogs having no previous dental
care, it is possible within a matter of weeks to reduce by dietary
means alone significant amounts of plaque and calculus accumulation
and improve gingival inflammation.

Finney O, Logan EI, Simone AJ, et al.    The influence of diet on
supragingival plaque and calculus in mongrel dogs.  Proceedings.
Fourth World Veterinary Dental Congress, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 1995:
105-107.
Synopsis: This study measured the relative accumulation of
supragingival plaque and calculus in dogs over a six-month period. The
animal panel was comprised of 19 beagle and 21 mongrel dogs. Dogs were
scored for supragingival plaque and calculus accumulation on days 7,
21, 56, 84, 112, 140 and 168 after initial dental prophylaxis. During
this evaluation period, dogs were fed either a test (Canine t/d®) or
control (Purina® Dog Chow®) food. For both treatment and control
groups, plaque results obtained after one week and calculus results
obtained after three weeks were predictive of accumulation amounts
expected after 6 months.  The test food resulted in significantly less
accumulation of plaque and calculus than the control diet at all
evaluation periods.  Relationships between treatment groups evident
from the first evaluation continued throughout the entire study.

Finney O.   Dental research and product development: A project
manager's perspective.   Proceedings. Conference on Companion Animal
Oral Health, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1996: 17-22.
Synopsis: Results were summarized from a number of studies associated
with development of Canine t/d®. These included results from: 1)
dental substrate accumulation in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus dry or
canned commercial foods, 2) dental substrate accumulation in dogs fed
Canine t/d® versus dry or canned commercial foods plus treats, 3)
dental substrate accumulation in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus dry or
canned commercial foods plus toothbrushing, 4) dental substrate
accumulation over a six month period in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus
competitive products, 5) reduction in plaque accumulation and gingival
inflammation in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus a grocery brand dry dog
food, and 6) reduction in dental substrates in dogs with "dirty teeth"
fed Canine t/d®. Results were given for over 20 studies involving over
1,000 dogs. All studies confirm that Canine t/d® is effective in
reducing gingivitis and dental plaque, stain and tartar.

Jensen L, Logan E, Finney O, et al.   Reduction in accumulation of
plaque, stain and calculus in dogs by dietary means.   J Vet Dent
1995; 12: 161-163.
Synopsis: This paper summarizes the results of 215 evaluations for
plaque, stain and calculus in 120 dogs at two research sites. Dogs
were balanced in groups of five according to baseline plaque index
scores; groups were randomly assigned to treatment (Canine t/d®) or
control (Purina® Dog Chow®) dietary regimens. No other food, treats,
or snacks were given to either group. Dental cleanings were done on
Day 0. Investigators graded 22 teeth for plaque accumulation on Day 7
and for stain and calculus accumulation on Day 21. Six trials were
conducted and the results reported as a combined mean for all
treatment and control groups. Dogs fed Canine t/d® had significantly
less plaque (19% less), stain (44% less) and calculus (32% less)
accumulation than dogs fed the control food.

Logan EI, Finney O, Irvine G, et al.    Dietary influences on
gingivitis in the dog.  Proceedings. Fourth World Veterinary Congress,
Vancouver, BC, Canada, 1995: 101-102.
Synopsis: The objective of this study was to investigate effects of a
dental food (Canine t/d®) on gingival health in dogs. The study panel
included 40 healthy adult dogs. The gingival health of the dogs was
optimized using a combination of mechanical and chemical cleansing
procedures. When the dogs reached optimal gingival health the
experimental study was initiated. Each dog received a randomly
assigned food; either the test food (Canine t/d®) or a control food
(Purina Dog Chow®). Each dog was assessed for plaque accumulation and
gingival disease at days 14, 28 and 42 following starting the
appropriate food. The test food resulted in 37% and 33% (days 28 & 42)
reduction in plaque and 37% and 44% (days 28 & 42) reduction in
gingivitis when compared to the control food.

Logan EI, Finney O, Lowry SR, et al.    Dietary cleansing in dogs: The
effects of kibble size and body weight.  Proceedings. 10th Annual
Veterinary Dental Forum, Houston, TX, 1996: 138-142.
Synopsis: Numerous studies have been reported documenting the efficacy
of Canine t/d® in significantly reducing plaque and calculus
accumulation and gingival inflammation in dogs. This paper compared
results of several studies investigating effects of kibble size on
plaque and calculus accumulation in dogs of varying body weights.
Studies involved separate dental panels including: panel 1: 80 beagle
dogs (body weight range 10-20 kg); panel 2: 21 mongrel dogs and 19
beagle dogs (12-35 kg); and panel 3: 40 small breed dogs (1-9 kg). The
studies were each done using a 3-week clean-tooth model and evaluating
each dog individually for plaque and calculus accumulation at 7 and 21
days post-prophylaxis, respectively. Both the standard large kibble
and a small kibble size of Canine t/d® were used in the studies.
Results were as follows. Canine t/d® significantly reduced plaque and
calculus accumulation in dogs compared with a typical dry dog food
(Purina® Dog Chow®). The larger dental kibble provided superior dental
efficacy compared to the smaller dental kibble in dogs weighing
greater than 10 kg. The smaller dental kibble provided comparable
dental efficacy to the larger dental kibble in dogs weighing less than
10 kg.

Logan EI, Finney O.    Mechanical plaque control in the dog: A
comparison of toothbrushing and dietary cleansing.  Proceedings.
Fourth World Veterinary Dental Congress, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 1995:
98-100.
Synopsis: A population of 80 beagle and 39 toy breed dogs were
utilized to investigate the effect of Canine t/d® versus commercially
available maintenance foods plus weekly toothbrushing on the
accumulation of plaque and calculus.  All dogs received a dental
prophylaxis and the appropriate treatment regimens were begun.  Each
dog was sequentially scored for plaque (7 days post-prophylaxis) and
calculus (21 days post-prophylaxis). Results indicated that feeding
Canine t/d® was as effective as feeding Purina® Dog Chow® plus once
weekly toothbrushing in reducing accumulation of plaque and calculus
in beagle and toy breed dogs.  Feeding Canine t/d® was superior to
feeding a canned diet (Pedigree® PAL®) plus once weekly toothbrushing
in reducing accumulation of plaque and calculus in dogs.

Logan EI.    Oral cleansing by dietary means: Results of six-month
studies.  Proceedings. Conference on Companion Animal Oral Health,
University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1996: 11-15.
Synopsis: The objectives of the two studies reported here were to
demonstrate that: 1) significant differences between treatment groups
detected in a short-term model remained significant and relevant over
a longer duration, and 2) significant differences in plaque
accumulation between treatment groups were relevant to gingival
health. Both studies used a 40-dog panel comprised of male and female
mongrel dogs. In Study One, all dogs received a dental prophylaxis on
day 0 and then were randomly assigned either a control food (Purina®
Dog Chow®) or a dental food (Canine t/d®).  Dogs were scored for
plaque accumulation on day 7, calculus accumulation on day 21, and
plaque and calculus accumulations were evaluated at days 56, 84, 112,
140 and 168. In Study Two, gingival health of the dogs was optimized
using a combination of mechanical and chemical cleansing procedures.
When the dogs reached optimal gingival health the experimental study
was initiated. Each dog received a randomly assigned food; either the
dental food (Canine t/d®) or a control food (Purina® Dog Chow®). Each
dog was assessed for plaque accumulation and gingival disease at days
14, 28, 42, 56, 77, 105, 140 and 175. Results showed that dogs
consuming the dental food had significantly less plaque and calculus
accumulation than dogs consuming the control food (Study 1). Dogs
consuming the dental food also had significantly less plaque
accumulation and gingival inflammation than dogs consuming the co
trol
food (Study 2).

Finney O.   Dental research and product development: A project
manager's perspective.   Proceedings. Conference on Companion Animal
Oral Health, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1996: 17-22.
Synopsis: Results were summarized from a number of studies associated
with development of Canine t/d®. These included results from: 1)
dental substrate accumulation in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus dry or
canned commercial foods, 2) dental substrate accumulation in dogs fed
Canine t/d® versus dry or canned commercial foods plus treats, 3)
dental substrate accumulation in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus dry or
canned commercial foods plus toothbrushing, 4) dental substrate
accumulation over a six month period in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus
competitive products, 5) reduction in plaque accumulation and gingival
inflammation in dogs fed Canine t/d® versus a grocery brand dry dog
food, and 6) reduction in dental substrates in dogs with "dirty teeth"
fed Canine t/d®. Results were given for over 20 studies involving over
1,000 dogs. All studies confirm that Canine t/d® is effective in
reducing gingivitis and dental plaque, stain and tartar.

Logan EI, Finney O, Lowry SR, et al.    Dietary cleansing in dogs: The
effects of kibble size and body weight.  Proceedings. 10th Annual
Veterinary Dental Forum, Houston, TX, 1996: 138-142.
Synopsis: Numerous studies have been reported documenting the efficacy
of Canine t/d® in significantly reducing plaque and calculus
accumulation and gingival inflammation in dogs. This paper compared
results of several studies investigating effects of kibble size on
plaque and calculus accumulation in dogs of varying body weights.
Studies involved separate dental panels including: panel 1: 80 beagle
dogs (body weight range 10-20 kg); panel 2: 21 mongrel dogs and 19
beagle dogs (12-35 kg); and panel 3: 40 small breed dogs (1-9 kg). The
studies were each done using a 3-week clean-tooth model and evaluating
each dog individually for plaque and calculus accumulation at 7 and 21
days post-prophylaxis, respectively. Both the standard large kibble
and a small kibble size of Canine t/d® were used in the studies.
Results were as follows. Canine t/d® significantly reduced plaque and
calculus accumulation in dogs compared with a typical dry dog food
(Purina® Dog Chow®). The larger dental kibble provided superior dental
efficacy compared to the smaller dental kibble in dogs weighing
greater than 10 kg. The smaller dental kibble provided comparable
dental efficacy to the larger dental kibble in dogs weighing less than
10 kg.

Logan EI, Berg ML, Coffman L, et al.    Dietary control of feline
gingivitis: results of a six month study (abstract).  Proceedings.
13th Annual Veterinary Dental Forum, Baltimore, MD, 1999.
Synopsis: This study compared the effects of a dental food to a
typical dry food on dental substrate accumulation and gingival
inflammation over a six month time frame. Twenty-six adult cats were
placed into two groups balanced on previous dental plaque formation.
The control group was fed Purina® Cat Chow® and the test group was fed
Feline t/d®. On Day 0, each cat was anesthetized and received a dental
prophylaxis. Beginning on Day 1, each cat received its assigned
dietary regimen for the remainder of the study. Scores for plaque and
calculus accumulation, and gingival inflammation were obtained on days
14, 28, 49, 84, 126 and 168. At 24 weeks (day 168) the test group had
48% less plaque accumulation, 64% less calculus accumulation and 27%
less gingival inflammation than the control group.

Logan EI, Boyce EN, Berg BS, et al.   Effects of dietary form on
plaque and calculus accumulation and gingival health in cats:
Methodology and results.   Proceedings. Fifth World Veterinary Dental
Congress, Birmingham, England, 1997: 28-32.
Synopsis: Five different studies were reported to demonstrate affects
of different foods (commercial cat foods and treats) on dental plaque
and calculus accumulation. In Study 1, three different specialty brand
dry cat foods were compared; there was no significant difference in
plaque and calculus accumulation. In Study 2, a moist feline specialty
food was compared to the same moist food plus a dental treat and to a
dry feline specialty brand food; there was no improvement in plaque
and calculus accumulation with the dental treat added to the moist cat
food. In Study 3, a moist grocery brand cat food was compared to a dry
grocery brand cat food and a feline dental food (Feline t/d®); plaque
and calculus accumulation was greatest in cats eating the moist food
and lowest in cat eating the dental food. In Study 4, a dry feline
grocery brand food was compared to the same dry food plus a dental
treat and to a feline dental food; there was no improvement in plaque
and calculus accumulation with the dental treat added to the dry cat
food, but consumption of the dental food resulted in significantly
less plaque and calculus accumulation. In Study 5, a dry grocery brand
cat food was compared to a feline dental food; the dental food
resulted in significantly less plaque and calculus accumulation.

Logan EI, Proctor V, Berg ML, et al.    Dietary effect on tooth
surface debris and gingival health in cats.  Proceedings. Veterinary
Dental Forum, 2001.
Synopsis: Thirty adult cats in good oral and systemic health were
placed into two groups balanced on previous plaque formation. On Day
0, each cat was anesthetized and received a dental prophylaxis
including scaling and polishing. Cats were then fed either Purina® Cat
Chow® or new, improved Feline t/d for 24 weeks. Evaluation at 24 weeks
showed that cats fed Feline t/d® had 58% less plaque accumulation, 64%
less calculus accumulation, 74% less stain accumulation and 48% less
gingival inflammation. Following week 24 evaluations, the two dietary
groups were switched so that all cats previously receiving Purina® Cat
Chow® were subsequently fed Feline t/d for 2 months and vice versa.
Cats with "dirty" teeth fed Feline t/d® demonstrated a 51% decrease in
plaque, a 55% decrease in calculus, a 64% decrease in stain and a 29%
decrease in gingivitis from weeks 24 to 32, while cats fed Purina® Cat
Chow® demonstrated a significant increase in plaque, calculus, stain
and gingivitis during the same 8 weeks. Cats fed new, improved Feline
t/d® had significantly less plaque, calculus and stain accumulation
and gingival inflammation than cats fed a typical dry cat food in a 6
month clean tooth and in a 2 month dirty tooth model. Additionally,
cats with 6 months worth of dental substrate accumulation demonstrated
increase in tooth surface debris and a significant increase in
gingivitis over a 2 month period when fed a typical dry cat food while
cats fed a dental food demonstrated a significant decrease in both
tooth surface debris and gingivitis.

Logan EI.    Oral cleansing by dietary means: Feline methodology and
study results.  Proceedings. Conference on Companion Animal Oral
Health, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1996: 31-34.
Synopsis: The objectives of these studies were to refine methodologies
used in measuring accumulation of plaque and calculus in cats and
demonstrate dietary effects on plaque and calculus accumulation in
cats. The study population included healthy adult male and female cats
weighing 3 to 6 kg. Following a dental prophylaxis, cats were fed the
test diets for four weeks and teeth were evaluated for plaque and
calculus accumulation. Four different studies were performed.  Study
One compared three foods: a canned specialty brand cat food (Science
Diet® Feline Maintenance®), the same canned food plus a dental treat
(Pounce® Tartar Control Treats), and a dry specialty brand cat food
(Science Diet® Feline Maintenance®). Study Two compared three
specialty brand dry cat foods (Science Diet® Feline Maintenance®,
Iams® Cat Food, and Purina® Pro-Plan® Adult Cat formula). Study Three
compared a dry specialty brand cat food (Science Diet® Feline
Maintenance®) to a feline dental diet (Prescription Diet® Feline
t/d®). Study Four compared a dry grocery brand cat food (Purina® Cat
Chow®) to a feline dental diet (Feline t/d®). In Study One,
consumption of the dry cat food resulted in significantly less plaque
and calculus accumulation compared to the canned cat food or the
canned cat food plus a dental treat. In Study Two, there was no
significant difference between the different dry specialty cat foods
with respect to plaque and calculus accumulation. In Study Three,
there was significant reduction in accumulation of plaque and calculus
in cats consuming the dental diet versus the dry specialty brand cat
food. And in Study Four, there was significant reduction in
accumulation of plaque and calculus in cats consuming the dental diet
versus the dry grocery brand cat food.

Logan EI.    Reduction in accumulation of supragingival plaque in
cats: Prescription Diet Feline t/d vs. Purina Cat Chow.  Veterinary
Oral Health Council application, May 1, 1998.
Synopsis: Two studies were performed using 29 and 30 adult cats. The
cats in each study were placed into two groups balanced on previous
plaque formation. The control groups were fed a dry grocery brand cat
food (Purina® Cat Chow®) and test groups were fed Feline t/d®. On Day
0 of each study, each cat was anesthetized and received a dental
prophylaxis. Beginning on Day 1, each cat received its dietary regimen
for the remainder of the study. Plaque scores were obtained on day 28
of each study. Cats eating Feline t/d® had 41% and 35% reduction in
plaque scores compared with those eating the control food.
Clinical Relevance: Feline t/d® significantly reduces accumulation of
dental plaque compared to Purina® Cat Chow®. Feline t/d® has been
accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) for helping
control dental plaque in cats. This was the first feline product to
receive the VOHC seal.

Logan EI.    Reduction in accumulation of supragingival calculus in
cats: Prescription Diet Feline t/d vs. Purina Cat Chow.  Veterinary
Oral Health Council application, May 1, 1998.
Synopsis: Two studies were performed using 29 and 30 adult cats. The
cats in each study were placed into two groups balanced on previous
plaque formation. The control groups were fed a dry grocery brand cat
food (Purina® Cat Chow®) and test groups were fed Feline t/d®. On Day
0 of each study, each cat was anesthetized and received a dental
prophylaxis. Beginning on Day 1, each cat received its dietary regimen
for the remainder of the study. Calculus scores were obtained on day
28 of each study. Cats eating Feline t/d® had 48% and 33% reduction in
calculus scores compared with those eating the control food.