Nearly 80% of dogs over age three show signs of periodontal disease, yet most owners remain unaware. Mars Pet Nutrition is tackling this gap by developing oral care products and digital tools aimed at shifting pet health management from reactive to proactive.
Elisabetta Pierangelo, global vice president of R&D at Mars Pet Nutrition, oversees innovation for some of the largest pet brands worldwide, serving 440 million pet parents. She emphasized that the company’s approach combines scientific research with real-world insights from pets and owners.
“Our R&D process is grounded in pet and pet parent insights, nutritional science, and advanced technologies,” Pierangelo said. “These insights influence every aspect of our products, from recipe formulation to texture design.”
Untreated periodontal disease can cause gum inflammation, bleeding, bad breath, and tooth loss, and is linked to heart, liver, and kidney conditions. Yet 72% of pet owners believe their dogs have good oral health, even as 80% show early disease signs by age three.
Mars bases much of its oral care innovation on research from the Waltham Petcare Science Institute, which studies the oral microbiome and its role in gum and systemic health. Product design incorporates these findings: for example, Whiskas Dentabites for cats feature grooves and lower density to allow gentler cleaning during chewing.
Palatability and efficacy are equally important. PEDIGREE Dentastix Light delivers mechanical cleaning with 30% fewer calories, using aerated texture and lean turkey, and is suitable for dogs as small as 3 kilograms. PEDIGREE Dentastix Daily Fresh targets bad breath with green tea extract and eucalyptus oil, known for their antimicrobial effects. GREENIES Dental Treats for cats are formulated with aroma, taste, and texture in mind to ensure consistent consumption.
Looking ahead, Mars is exploring postbiotics—heat-treated probiotic metabolites that may help rebalance oral bacteria and slow disease progression. “It’s an emerging field that could significantly improve oral health for pets,” Pierangelo said.
Mars is also using AI to close the awareness gap. The GREENIES Canine Dental Check in the U.S. allows owners to scan their dog’s teeth via smartphone, detecting tartar and gum issues, and providing virtual veterinary guidance. PEDIGREE Toothscan now extends similar technology across Europe.
“AI enables us to scale education, personalize support, and promote early intervention,” Pierangelo said. “It helps pet parents recognize signs of gum disease sooner, improving outcomes and quality of life for their pets.”