Greenies dental treats are a popular chew to help clean your dog’s teeth. But are Greenies good or bad for dogs? And can puppies have Greenies? Read the pros and cons to decide for yourself.
Are Greenies Good For Dogs And Puppies?
Both, yes and no! Greenies are popular natural dog treats that can help your dog and puppy maintain healthy teeth and gums. But many of the ingredients listed in Greenies are high in calories, sugar, and carbohydrates.
Greenies should not be given to puppies under 6 months old who weigh less than five pounds as a puppy’s teeth and jaw are not mature enough to chew a Greenie and they may not be able to digest Greenies easily due to their sensitive digestive system.
Why is Dental Care Important For Dogs?
Your dog’s dental health is important to its overall well-being. Periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs with greater than 80% of dogs over the age of three having active dental disease.
That’s why regular check-ups with a Veterinarian, dental cleanings, and brushing your dog’s mouth regularly at home are good for our dog’s oral care routine. It’s a good idea to start an at-home oral care routine when your puppy is young.
As responsible dog owners, we have to decide if Greenies treats are a good at-home oral health care option to help our dog keep clean teeth and keep bad breath in check.
It’s also important to understand why puppies under six months can not have Greenies. Read to learn why I include Greenies in my dog’s oral care routine in moderation and decide if Greenies are a good choice for your dog.
What Are Greenies Dental Treats?
Greenies are a pet dental treat designed to help keep their teeth clean and free of tartar. They are quintessentially green in color and come in a unique shape of a toothbrush. The toothbrush design allows for different grooves and bristle-like shape to help scrape your pet’s teeth as they chew.
They come in different flavors such as blueberry, sweet potato, gingerbread, pumpkin spice and mint, and in different sizes according to your dog’s weight. They range from teenie size for an extra small dog, regular size for dogs 25-50 lb, and large size for dogs 50-100lb. So pet owners can find the right size for their dog.
There are specific formulas made for adult dogs, puppies over six months, older dogs that include hip and joint supplements, and dogs that need weight management.
They also make pill pockets and dental products for cats.
Greenies natural dental dog treats are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) and are made in Kansas City.
What Are Greenies Made From?
Greenies chew treats are made of Gelatin, glycerin, wheat flour, wheat gluten, fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), minerals, (dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, salt, calcium carbonate, magnesium amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, selenium, potassium iodide), dried chicken, water, powdered cellulose, lecithin, natural poultry flavor, DL methionine, choline chloride, vitamins (dl-alpha tocopherol acetate [source of vitamin E], vitamin B12 supplement, d-calcium pantothenate [vitamin B5], niacin supplement, riboflavin supplement [vitamin B2], vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, thiamine mononitrate [vitamin B1], pyridoxine hydrochloride [vitamin B6], folic acid), fruit juice color, turmeric color
Are Greenies Made Of Healthy Ingredients?
Both, Yes and no. Greenies contain natural ingredients such as oat fiber, fruit juice color, and turmeric color along with artificial ingredients like glycerin. There are vitamins and minerals added. Many of the ingredients listed in Greenies are high in calories, sugar and carbohydrates.
At the end of the day, Greenies are a treat and should be given in moderation to your dog. Many veterinarians will tell you, dog treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet.
Are Greenies Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Yes, Greenies are safe for dogs and puppies over six months of age who weigh more than five pounds.
In the past, Greenies were recalled due to reports of dogs not digesting the ingredients causing intestinal blockage and needing surgical removal of the greenies. The new formula is made from highly soluble ingredients so your dog can digest ingredients easily.
How Do Greenies Work?
The unique shape of Greenies has grooves and ridges to promote mechanical abrasion of the plaque and tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth as they chew. According to the Greenies website, “It’s chewy texture allows the teeth to sink in for maximum tooth contact” which helps fight tartar build-up and plaque buildup on dog teeth. They are proven to freshen your dog’s breath and maintain healthier gum care.
Are Greenies Good For Dogs?
Greenies have been a popular dental chew for many years but are they part of a good dental health routine?
Pros Of Greenies
- According to the Greenies website, “Recent independent studies show that dogs eating one GREENIES™ Dental Chew per day results in 60 percent less tarter buildup and 33 percent less plaque buildup up in 28 days compared to dogs eating dry dog food alone.“
- The unique shape of Greenies along with their quality ingredients have many dental benefits such as helping tartar control, maintaining healthier gums, and reducing bad breath.
- Greenies come in different sizes, so you can find the perfect shape for your dog’s weight.
- Giving your dog a chew a day is an easy way to create healthy habits around dog dental care.
Cons of Greenies
- Greenies are full of calories. There are twenty-six calories in a Teenie sized Greenie. The weight management version has twenty-four calories. Which is about 10% of a small dog’s daily caloric intake. Small dogs would not be able to have any other treats. They are also not a good option for obese dogs or diabetic dogs.
- Ingredients are not suitable for all dogs. Greenies contain wheat products which may not be suitable for dogs with certain allergies or grain-sensitivities.
- Can’t give to puppies under 6 months as their teeth are not developed enough to chew the treats and their digestive system can not handle the ingredients.
How often should I give my dog greenies?
According to the Greenies website, feed one dental chew per day. Keep in mind, dog treats should not make up more than ten percent of your dog’s diet.
Are Greenies Good For Puppies?
Puppies older than 6 months who weigh more than five pounds can safely have Greenies to help maintain healthy gums and teeth when used as directed.
Greenies offer puppy dog chews specifically made with the pup’s teeth and digestive system in mind. Do not give puppies regular Greenies, only their puppy dental treats.
Make sure to sit and monitor your puppy when giving them Greenies so they do not eat the dental chew too fast or choke on it.
Although Greenies are not suggested to be given to puppies under six months, you will want to start a dental care routine to keep your puppies teeth clean. You’re routine may include brushing puppy teeth with toothpaste or using other puppy-safe dental products.
Why can’t puppies under 6 months have greenies?
Puppies under 6 months of age should not be given Greenies because puppy’s teeth and jaw are not mature enough to chew a Greenie. Puppies still have their small teeth until about 6 months old and may injury their puppy teeth chewing on a dental chew. These fragile teeth fall out in the first six months and are replaced by adult dog teeth that are strong enough to chew dental treats.
Puppies also have sensitive stomachs that may not digest the ingredients found in Greenies easily. They may get sick and have diarrhea and vomiting. Always consult your veterinarian in these types of situations.
Greenies Dental Treat Products for puppies
Greenies dental treats made for puppies six months plus are made with easy-to-digest ingredients and have a 50% softer texture compared to regular Greenies.
Take Home Message
Your pet’s dental health is important to its overall health.
Manually brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums clean. Along with regular check-ups with a Veterinarian and dental cleanings.
Including other dental products in your dog’s oral care routine is a great addition but should never take the place of the above.
Personally, my dog gets Greenies dental treats 1-2 times per week as a special treat on days I can not brush his teeth or do not give him a single-ingredient chew. This helps him maintain his weight at a healthy range.
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