what does greenies do for dogs

Greenies Dog Treats Are Actually BAD For Your Dog

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If you are a dog owner, then you are probably familiar with Greenies for dogs, the green toothbrush-shaped dental chews found in most big-box pet retailers like Petsmart and Petco.

Greenies for dogs is one of the most popular dental treat brands.

But, should they be so popular? Is their product really that great, or is it a result of clever marketing and packaging?

What if I told you giving your dog Greenies dog treats for dental care, is actually doing more harm than good?

Greenies & Dog Dental Care

The main reason why pet parents purchase Greenies dental chews is for the dental care benefits that Greenies boasts their product provides.

On their website, Greenies.com states:

Dental treats or dental chews work with mechanical action similar to how your toothbrush works, where it will scrape the surface of the tooth and help brush away plaque and tartar that can accumulate that can lead to more serious problems.

Greenies.com

This entire statement focuses on the benefits of chewing, but fails to address the most important topic What is your dog actually chewing on.

Greenies also brag about their seal of approval from The Veterinary Oral Health Council.

However, on the first page of VOHCs website, they state:

When VOHC authorizes the use of its Registered Seal, VOHC makes no certification, representation or warranty as to the safety and certifies only that, upon application for the right to use the Registered Seal, the product met VOHCs Standards for effectiveness in retarding plaque and tartar when used as directed.

VOHC Website

There is no denying that chewing or gnawing has proven to be an effective method for keeping a dogs teeth clean, gums healthy, and freshen breath.

However, it is important to understand that dogs are consuming what they are chewing on.

So yes, chewing on say, a shoe, may be beneficial for your dogs teeth and gum health, but that doesnt mean it is healthy for your dog to be consuming shoes.

Moreover, consuming some ingredients, sugars, and carbohydrates specifically, can actually promote plaque and tartar build-up.

So, in the short term, dental chews like Greenies dog treats might effectively remove plaque and tartar from your pups teeth.

But, in the long term, they are actually contributing to the overall plaque and tartar problem.

The Ingredient Label Of Greenies Dog Treats

Pea Flour

Consumers havebecome savvier and more informed about the ingredients they are giving their pets.

Many are refusing to buy products with ingredients such as meals, by-products, and cheap fillers.

To replace these lower-quality products, things like grain-free pet products have grown in popularity.

Because of this, pet product manufacturers have been looking for ways to replace those cheap fillers and grains that consumers have identified as undesirable with something more appealing.

So, what did those manufacturers do?

They took out the cheap grain fillers (previously wheat flour and wheat gluten in the original Greenies) and replaced them with pea flour and pea protein (another cheap filler).

The marketing team slapped a grain-free label on their new product and started pushing it out to retailers nationwide.

Dont believe me?

Check out this Original Greenies ingredient label (below) and compare it with the Grain-Free one (above).

Why is pea flour/pea protein bad for my dog?

It is important to understand that pea protein is avegetable protein, not an animal protein.

Because of this, pea protein is harder to digest for dogs.

Your dogs body wont be able to break down and absorb all of the protein they are consuming.

So, most of the protein they are consuming is wasted.

Pea flour isnt just a bad source of protein, it is also full of carbohydrates.

When digested, the carbohydrates found in pea flour are broken down into sugars in the mouth which fuel plaque and tartar build-up on your dogs teeth.

Pea flour is nothing more than a cheap filler disguised as a protein that actually makes your dogs dental health worse.

So, why is it found in your dogs chew?

Manufacturers add pea protein to artificiallyinflate the protein percentages in grain-free pet products.

The protein found on the label is not the actual amount of protein that your dog is able to digest and use.

The remaining undigested protein serves no purpose for your dog, no nutritional value, and will eventually leave your dogs body as waste.

You wont find pea fiber in high quality commercially available pet foods, nor will you find it in healthy recipes for homemade pet meals. Where you will find it is in very affordable, highly processed, low-quality pet food, saidDr. Karen Becker, DVM

Once again, pet product manufacturers have found a new way to trick pet parents into thinking their products are better and healthier than they actually are.

Gelatin

Gelatin isnt a horrible ingredient for your dog to consume. Actually, it can be quite beneficial (assuming its sourced safely and naturally).

Gelatin comes from collagen which is rich in animal protein and amino acids.

Greenies manufacturers add it as a gelling agent which causes their product to be gummy and chewy.

You can provide your dog with a natural source of gelatin by feeding bone broth (which you can make at home).

Glycerin

If your dog has ever had an upset stomach after consuming Greenies, then glycerin is likely to blame.

Glycerin is a form ofsugar alcoholthat dogs (and humans) cannot fully absorb. It offers the same nutritional benefits as sugar, with even more calories.

Glycerin attracts water like a sponge. When consumed, glycerins moisture-attracting properties pull water from the body into the colon, acting as a laxative and stimulating bowel movements (i.e. gas and diarrhea).

If diarrhea wasnt bad enough, the sugar in glycerin is also very bad for your dogs dental health. The high carbohydrate content directly fuels plaque and tartar build-up, further worsening the overall health of your dogs teeth and gums.

So, why is it found in your dogs chew?

Because glycerin has that moisture-attracting property we talked about earlier, adding glycerin to foods helps them stay moist.

Generally speaking, glycerin is widely used in food manufacturing as a preservative.

Although glycerin helps the manufacturer control the moisture content in their product, it offers no nutritional benefit to your pet.

It is just a moisture-absorbing sugar.

Dried Potato

Dried potato is another starchy filler that is very similar to pea flour. It offers little nutritional benefit for your dog.

Just like glycerin and pea flour, the carbohydrates found in potatoes also break down into sugars that fuel plaque and tartar build-up.

This actually works AGAINST your dogs teeth and gum health.

Alternatives To Greenies Dog Treats

Unfortunately, Greenies success is likely the result of well-designed packaging and clever marketing. Not because their product is of high quality.

Now, just because Greenies for dogs are off the list, that doesnt mean you are out of options.

There are lots of other safe and healthy for you to give your dog.

Here are 5 ways you can control, reduce, or eliminate plaque and tartar in your dogs mouth:

1.Healthy Diet

The foundation of a healthy mouth starts with a healthy diet.

It is important to avoid foods with highly processed ingredients such as corn and potatoes.

Bacteria are known to thrive on carbohydrates (namely sugar and starches).

So, when your dogs food gets stuck in their teeth, it provides a place for plaque to feast and tartar to develop.

By feeding your dog a balanced, high-quality diet, you can drastically reduce the risk of canine periodontitis developing.

2.Chewing

When you are looking for products to give your dog to promote dental care, I recommend looking for single ingredient products.

I typically recommend products like bully sticks or beef tendon.

These products offer the same benefit as mechanical chewing: clean teeth freshen breathe, and healthy gums.

Without contibuting to the problem with filler ingredients which feeds dental disease.

Along with providing single-ingredient chews, It is important that you continue to regularly brush your dogs teeth to prevent canine periodontitis.

Avoid These Chews

• Greenies Dog Treats
• Flavored Dental Chews (Like Dentastix)
• Antlers, Horns, Hooves
• Himalayan Yak Chew
• Nylabone/Benebone
• Rawhides

Give These Chews Instead

• Beef Pizzle (Bullysticks)
• Pig. Lamb, or Cow ears
• Duck or Chicken Feet
• Beef Tendon
• Beef Trachea
• Turkey Necks

Always supervise your dog when they are chewing. All chews are choking hazards.

These alternative chews can typically be found at your local ethnic food store or butcher shop.

The key to success is to find a single-ingredient chew that is not heavily processed and has little to no carbohydrates or sugars.

There are also companies like Farm Hounds that deliver natural single-ingredient dog treats and chews straight to your door.

You can make individual purchases, or they offer a convenient monthly subscription box service.

3.Meal Additives

A great way to combat plaque is to stop it at the source by using a meal additive such asPlaqueoff(or kelp/seaweed).

Plaqueoff is made from 100% natural seaweed which has been shown to significantly reduce plaque and tartar build-up in dogs.

It inhibits the plaque from sticking to surfaces in the mouth as well as softens the already existing tartar.

Solutions like additives dont work overnight but improvements should be seen anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks.

4.Brushing

We all know that the best way to clean teeth is to brush them. After all, isnt that how we clean our own teeth? Ideally, a dogs teeth should be brushed twice a day.

Homemade Doggy Toothpaste

Baking Soda (2 tbsp)

Coconut Oil (2 tbsp)

Peppermint Oil (1 drop)*optional

5.Dental Cleanings

For many dogs, periodontal disease has already set in under the gum line and no amount of brushing, chewing, or meal additives will help.

At this point, it is best to take your dog in for an oral exam, x-rays, and cleaning with a licensed veterinarian.

There are always risks associated with anesthesia, but the risks of canine periodontitis far overshadow the risks involved with anesthesia.

If a vet recommends a dental cleaning for your pet, it is always in their best interest to get one done.

Final Thoughts

There is no room for excuses!

It is time to throw that box of Greenies away and make the switch to single-ingredient chews that are actually going to improve your dogs dental health long term.

Many pet product manufacturers have caught on to the fact that their consumers are becoming more educated and aware of the products they are buying.

In turn, manufacturers have learned how to present their products as seemingly healthy by using terms like, high-protein, grain-free, and all-natural.

For things like dental chews, you should always strive to stay away from products that have sugars and carbohydrates and instead look for single-ingredient chews that are not processed or bleached.

In the end, chewing and gnawing are only part of the dental health solution.

Are Greenies Good for Dogs?

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Pet owners, myself included, are always looking for different ways to keep their pet healthy and happy, from

keeping dogs nails trimmed

to worrying about

what foods dogs can and cant eat

.

Sometimes its easy to forget to make sure to keep their pets mouth healthy, too. Its not a fun or cheap task to treat a dogs dental problems.

There have been many products developed to help with the sometimes tough job of keeping your pets mouth healthier. One of my favorite products for this is Greenies.

Greenies help keep your pets teeth and gums clean between brushings and dental check ups with their vet.

What are Greenies Dental Treats?

Greenies are a treat for your pet to eat that is designed help keep their teeth clean and free of tartar. This will help them to avoid dog cavities.

They have different grooves and bristle like designs that scrape your pets teeth as they chew on them. With their unique shape, they work like a toothbrush to help scrub away tater and plaque from the teeth and even work to clean food particles from the gum line.

They come in different flavors, and even though they all help clean their mouth, some even help with weight management and for their joints as they get older!

Although there were problems with the original formula, Greenies are now easier to digest and help to brush away plaque and tarter from your pets teeth and to help make their breath fresh.

And I like that they are made right here in the U.S.A.

Greenies also make a few other products including a pill pocket treat for dogs who dont like to take pills.

How do Greenies Work?

The distinctive pattern on the outside of the Greenie has grooves and ridges so that as your pet chews on them they help scrub the surface of their teeth.

They are not brittle like some dental chews. Greenies are flexible to give a deeper clean down to the gumline as your dog chews on the treat.

The ingredients they are made from can help prevent the regrowth of more tartar. According to a clinical trial, Greenies reduced tarter in pets by 60%.

As the reviews will show, most pets love the flavors and many pet owners found the same thing I did: Grenies helped reduced their pets bad breath.

These dental chews will not replace regular dental care for your dog. You still need to take your pets to the vet to get their teeth cleaned and checked on a regular basis.

Are Greenies Safe for Dogs to Eat?

At one time there were reports that Greenies are bad for dogs and causing them to have many medical issues. It was suggested that the Greenies were not digesting in the pets intestines and were causing obstructions.

It was causing pet owners a lot of money for a vet to perform surgery to remove the blockages. Some of the pets were reported to have died after eating the original formula of these dental chews.

The makers of Greenies had to recall the products so there was less of a chance that pets would come into contact with them. Since the Greenies recall, the makers have developed a new formula to make the chews more digestible.

What are Greenies Made From?

With this new formula, Greenies now dissolve faster and are safe for your dog. They are no longer likely to get stuck in your pet once they eat them, especially if your pets are like mine and barely even the treats wolfing them down in huge chunks.

The new chews are not as stiff as the original treats were, so that helps if they swallow the bigger pieces. Even though the new Greenies bend easier, they still offer the same brushing effect when being chewed so that they help clean the teeth and gums of your pet.

These dental chews are available in a variety of flavors, but the original flavor contains wheat flour, glycerin, wheat gluten, gelatin, water, powdered cellulose, lecithin, minerals, and natural poultry flavor as the top ingredients.

What Size Greenies is Right for My Dog?

There are different size Greenies for different size pets. Pet owners must be vigilant when giving their pet these treats, or any treat, to ensure that their small pet doesnt get ahold of their larger pets Greenies.

If they do, it might cause medical issues because they are made for the larger dogs and can get stuck in their tiny little throats.

For tiny dogs weighing between 5 and 15 pounds, the Teenie variety of Greenies is the correct size.

If your dog weighs between 15 and 25 pounds, youll want to purchase the Petite variety of Greenies treats.

The Regular variety of Greenies is ideal for dogs weighing 25 to 50 pounds.

Big dogs weighing over 50 pounds will need the Large variety of Greenies treats.

Are Greenies Safe for Puppies, too?

Like almost any other chew for your pets, you should not give them to your puppy if they are under 6 months of age.

Their teeth are still not permanent yet at that young of an age, and eating the chews can damage their teeth or pull them out prematurely.

Pet owners, please wait till your puppy is at least 6 months old before giving them Greenies.

How Often Should I Give my Dog Greenies?

The offficial Greenies website states, One a day is enough to achieve all four oral health benefits of Greenies. All foods contribute to the calorie consumption of the pet so its important to monitor all the food your dog eats to ensure they do not put on weight.

Why is Dental Care Important for Dogs?

Dental health problems are one of the leading reasons dogs have to visit the vet. Tartar, bad breath and bleeding gums are all signs of problems with oral hygiene. This can result in problems for the dog that can cause your pet pain and discomfort.

know that poor dental health is one of the primary reasons for dogs to visit the vet. Bad breath, tartar and bleeding gums are all signs of poor oral hygiene and can result in pain and discomfort for the dog. There may be some evidence that the bacteria responsible for the dental problems can infect other organs of the body.

Daily brushing along with regular veterinary visits will help keep your dogs mouth healthy. Its important to start these habits with your dog from an early age.

A dogs tooths enamel is softer than humans, so it can be damaged from all the thing they chew on. Proper dental care is just as important for dogs as it is for their owners to ensure there are no oral health problems.

A Few Warnings About Greenies

As far as your older dogs, although the new formula of Greenies dissolve so they are less likely to cause digestive issues for your pet. If you have an older dog, you should still use discretion on what you give them.

It should depend on their health, their teeth health and everything. If they have preexisting problems digesting foods or being over weight, then it is probably not a good idea to constantly give them Greenies or any other type of treat for that matter.

Greenies original formula treats are made from wheat gluten, so if your pet has any kind of wheat or gluten allergies, we would recommend using Greenies grain-free formula.

Giving your pet Greenies is a good aid in helping to keep your pets teeth clean and breath fresh, but it is not a complete dental treatment. Pet owners should still take them to the vet to get a regular cleaning.

For dogs with severe food allergies, Id say to try Nylabone non-edible chew toys as a gluten-free alternative to Greenies.