Summit Agro International Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation's operating company, has launched new snacks for dogs--Re-Rusk and Kirarin Smile--under the Hartz® brand. Like Deo-Sembei (introduced in spring 2009), which helps to reduce the mouth and stool odors of dogs, these new snacks help to keep pet dogs healthy.

These days, pet owners increasingly demand snacks that not only taste good but are functional. The results of a survey conducted by the company revealed that demand is particularly high for snacks that relax pets and care for their teeth. In response, the company developed Re-Rusk and Kirarin Smile, which address these concerns. The snacks are produced in Japan under a strict food production management system. Masaki Yanazaki, a member of the company's Hartz Japan Project Team, which undertook the development of the product, says, "Pets are beloved members of the family so we urge pet owners to be selective when choosing snacks for their pets."

About the products
Re-Rusk, a product name that combines "Re" for relaxation and "Rusk," another name for melba toast, was developed for dogs that tend to bark too much or have trouble in falling asleep. A package of Re-Rusk contains 60 mg of GABA, an ingredient found in human foods with relaxing attributes. The main ingredient is domestically produced rice, which means the snack can safely be fed to dogs with allergies to wheat.

Kirarin Smile "bo-ro" cookies, launched together with Re-Rusk, melt in your dog's mouth. "Kirarin supporter" (Sodium Hexametaphosphate), a food additive also found in human foods, helps keep teeth healthy and white-looking by reducing dental tartar and plaque. Ingredients also include beet sugar, abundant amounts of oligosaccharide, and apple or sweet-potato powder, which promote healthy digestion.