Dogs' mouths are cleaner than humans' is a hard myth to prove, but with some dental treats, it can turn your pup's panting from the scent of a dead fish to a minty fresh breeze. Greenies Dental Treats were one of the brands that jumped out at me at the store as I scrounged the shelves for an answer to my problem. After getting some pretty bad press back in 2006, Greenies has come back healthier, tastier, and safer than ever before. Their initial recipe was reported to cause intestinal blockages in some dogs. The new recipe showcases entirely soluble ingredients. Everything from Greenies can be digested in your dogs stomach. But how effective are they?
What Actually Are Greenies?
Greenies are marketed as dental treats for dogs and, adorably, they came out of their original packaging looking like miniature toothbrushes. They are made in Kansas City with new, easily digestible ingredients with your dog's health in mind. Combining both your dog's chewing instincts and their formula of fresh tasting ingredients, they aim to improve both you and your dog's mood with healthier and cleaner smelling breath. Expanding past their regular treats, the Greenies brand has grown to include treats for each dog size as well as different formulas in case a dog has dietary restrictions. In the dental health field for dogs, Greenies is a well-known and reputable brand more than worthy of the public's trust.
How Do They Work?
The ingredients that make up Greenies create a chewy texture that dogs love to bite down on. As your dog chews away, the texture rubs against the teeth. This rubbing and abrasion breaks down the plaque and tartar on your dog's pearly whites. This process is completely natural and uses your dog's own instincts to help it along. No chemicals are used in this process meaning your dog is safe to chew away happily. The flavor and scent of the treats themselves also linger and give that fresh, minty smell that signals your dog's gleaming dental report card.
Now they do recommend that a dog on the Greenie Dental Diet eat one Greenie a day. With 12 Greenies in a standard package for $12 at my local store, this can be a moderately expensive recurring cost. There are certainly other dental treats on the market, each with their own pros and cons. If this price is reasonable to you, Greenies could be the treat for you.
Different Types
Greenies Pill Pockets
If you have a dog that hates eating pills or is skilled at licking off the peanut butter that you put on them while leaving the pills behind, these products are an answer for you. Putting a pill inside this treat will encourage your dog to eat the whole thing, oblivious to what it contains.
Greenies Grain Free
This variation on the Greenies Dental Treat is for the dogs that have digestion issues or are allergic to the wheat gluten in the regular formula. They work the exact same as the normal formula but are still low calorie and low fat. This is a great alternative for your dog to keep them happy and smiling bright.
Greenies Breath Busters
These treats are used to keep your dog's breath fresh throughout the day. On the back of their packaging, they have one veterinarian visit per year, two regular Greenies a day, and these Breath Busters anytime to keep your dog's teeth healthy. Available in multiple different scents, if your dog has a smelly breath problem, you can have that mouth smelling fresh, minty, or even crisp apples. Much smaller than the regular treats, these are easier to chew than their larger counterparts.
Greenies Puppy
Because Greenies Dental Treats are only recommended for dog ages six months and older, this formula is specially modified to be softer for the developing teeth of your puppy. The ingredients themselves promote brain development and the simple act of chewing on Greenies promotes teeth and jaw strength. These are excellent for getting your puppy's dental health off to a great start.
Things to Still Keep In Mind
There are still reports of Greenies causing blockages in dogs. Most of these reports follow after the dog swallows a large chunk of the treat or the entire treat whole. As with any chew toy, be sure to keep a careful eye on your dog as they enjoy the treat and keep them well-supplied with water to help the digestion process.
While the ingredients are all soluble and digestible by dogs, the originals still contain wheat gluten and other byproducts. If your dog has any allergies to these ingredients, it could cause blockages or other allergic reactions. Greenies does have other formulas as shown above, so shop around to find the perfect match for your dog.
Verdict
4/5
Greenies Dental Treats do everything that they claim to do with a respect for your dog's health and wellness. The ingredients they have switched their formula are not only healthy, but they show that the company is committed to putting forward a product that can be safely enjoyed by dogs nationwide. The treats themselves are great quality, however the price can be a bit prohibitive for every dog owner to abide by their recommended feeding plan.
Additionally, while the number of reports of intestinal problems have gone down tremendously, there are still cases of blockages. Again, it is important to note that all chewing treats should be given to dogs under strict supervision and plenty of water to lower the chances of these risks. Greenies Dental Treats are a great way to improve your dog's dental health as long as you keep an eye on them and remember that nothing replaces regular veterinarian visits.
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