Greenies for dogs

Review of Greenies Dog Treats

This review was written by veterinarian, Dr. Marie.

Who hasn’t heard of greenies?  A question that I often get asked is “Are greenies safe?”  So, are the internet rumors true?  Can a greenie kill your dog?

Are Greenies Safe?

Prior to 2006, the number one item in the ingredient list for greenies was wheat gluten.  These greenies were extremely hard and if your dog was to break a piece off and swallow it whole it could cause an intestinal obstruction.  And yes, some dogs did die from an intestinal obstruction caused by a greenie.

In mid 2006, the formulation of Greenies changed so that the main ingredient was now soy protein which is much easier for a dog to digest.  Where the old greenies were rock hard, the new ones can be bent with minimal strength.  This new formulation dissolves easily when swallowed and is extremely unlikely to cause a stomach or intestinal obstruction.

I did a thorough search on Veterinary Information Network (VIN) which is an internet site with thousands if not millions of posts from veterinarians discussing their cases.  Prior to 2006 there were many discussion threads about patients requiring surgery to remove a greenie foreign body.  However, from 2007 and on I could not find a single case reported.  The vast majority of vets who talked about greenies spoke about them favorably.

Do greenies work against dental disease?

So, do greenies work to help prevent dental disease?  Yes!  The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has awarded its seal of approval to greenies stating that it is a treat that shows scientific evidence of plaque and tartar retardation.

Are greenies healthy?

Greenies are considered “nutritionally balanced” which is something that not many dental treats can claim.  They are also relatively low fat as compared to most dog treats. Lite Greenies have a balance of soluble fiber and hydrolyzed proteins for digestion support.  Senior Greenies are more delicate on teeth and gums and contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin to support healthy joints.  They’re also fortified with antioxidants to boost and maintain a healthy immune system.

Pros:

• The new formulation is safe.
  
• Good for dogs who really love to chew.
• Helps fight dental disease.
• Dogs love them!
• Nutritionally balanced.
  

Cons:

• Some dogs can destroy/swallow a greenie in a very short time.  If they don’t spend time chewing them they won’t work well for their teeth!  Make sure you buy a big enough size.
• They are not a substitute for tooth brushing or regular dental cleaning.  However, for dogs who don’t tolerate brushing (or for owners who don’t have time) they certainly can help.
• Can be a little pricey if you are giving them every day.
• As with any treat, even though they are nutritionally balanced, giving too many greenies can cause your dog to gain weight.

Dr. Marie’s ratings:

(4.5/5) Quality.
(4.5/5) Saftey.
(4/5) Value.

Compare Prices:

If you want to buy Greenies online, Pet-Product-Review.com has found the following websites that offer it for sale:

Pet Smart:

• Greenies Dental Chews Treat Tub: ***Currently on sale*** Discounted to $29.99.
• Greenies Smart Biscuit Fresh Chips for Dogs: $3.99
• Greenies Dental Chews Treat Pack: $16.99
• Greenies Dental Chews Mini Treat Pack:  ***Currently on sale*** Discounted to $8.99
• Greenies Dental Chews Mini-me singles: $0.79-$2.39
• Greenies Pill Pockets: $6.99-$7.99
  

That Pet Place:

• Greenies Bones Petite, Regular, Jumbo, Large, Senior or Lite: $15.99-$31.99
• Greenies Bones Mini-me singles: $0.99-$3.99
• Greenies Pill Pockets: $8.99
  

Only Natural Pet Store:

• 12 oz pack: $17.99
• 12 oz 3-pack: $50.99
• Greenies Pill Pockets: $7.49-$8.49

Dog.com:

• Greenies Mini Treat Pack 6 oz: ***Currently on sale*** $7.49
• Greenies Mega Treat Pack 18oz:  ***Currently on sale*** $18.99
• Greenies Mini Me Merchandiser:  ***Currently on sale*** $42.99
• Greenies 12 oz Pack:  ***Currently on sale*** $12.99
• Greenies smart biscuit 16 oz:  ***Currently on sale*** $3.99
• Greenies Senior  or Lite Treat pack 12 oz:  ***Currently on sale*** $12.99
• Greenies Pill Pockets:  ***Currently on sale*** $6.99-$7.99
  

(The prices listed above are what we found at our last check when doing our comparison research.)

Have you used Greenies Dog Treats?? If so, leave us a comment below to let us know what you think!