Are You Afraid to Feed Your Dog Greenies?

Greenies are toothbrush-shaped green dog treats that are made with human grade ingredients and have a delicious chicken flavor. They do not contain any plastic or inert indigestible materials. The green color comes from pure chlorophyll, and there are no artificial colors or flavors in Greenies and no sodium chloride (salt) and they have no added sugar.

The company claims that a Greenie a day can result in 87% reduction in tartar, 14% decrease in plaque formation and a 53% reduction in gingivitis. It also claims that 325 million individual Greenies are sold around the world each year.

Greenies sound like an ideal treat, but there have been problems. Greenies have been known to kill dogs. Reports state that over 13 dogs have died after Greenies became lodged in the dog's esophagus or intestines.

I have a little Yorkshire Terrier who dearly loves her daily Greenie. I have given her Greenie treats since she was just a tiny puppy, but I have always been close by as she chewed her treat. In fact, being the little spoiled baby she is, she will not eat or chew anything unless I am right beside her! She loves Greenies and I want her to be able to continue to safely have her treat

The company that manufactures Greenies has always recommended that owners check that the treats are chewed and not just gulped down. They also have a package warning that says to make sure you feed your dog the right size of Greenie. Greenies come in seven different sizes.

The makers of Greenies have just rolled out a newly formulated version they say is easier for dogs to chew and digest. The change comes months after a series of lawsuits and media reports claimed the treat sometimes sickened or killed dogs.

The new treats have a chewier texture and "break points" built in to help dogs crunch the treats into smaller, easier-to-swallow pieces. The ingredients have also been changed to break down more quickly in the stomach. The company states that the new Greenies offer a better surface for teeth cleaning and is formulated with an optimal blend of soy and wheat protein for ease in digestion. The treats have a chewier texture that helps reduce plaque, and keeps gums healthy.

The new Greenies formula helps reduce plaque and tarter by mechanical abrasion, the scraping and scrubbing of the tooth, just like original greenies. Unlike many other products, the new chewy texture of Greenies makes it easier for the dogs' teeth to penetrate the treat to help clean all the way down to the gum line. The new chewy texture also encourages a dog to chew more which increases the mechanical action on the teeth.

The shape is different with the new formula. A new, sixth bristle was added to the new Greenies formula to increase the brushing surface. A unique channel was created in the treats handle to increase tooth penetration to remove plaque and tarter more effectively.

The company claims that the new Greenies calories are as nutritious as premium pet foods are.

Greenies with the new, improved formula are now on shelves in mass retailers such as PetsMart and Petco and in veterinarians' offices and independent pet suppliers everywhere. We can now give our pets Greenies with confidence, knowing the improvements have been made with our beloved pets' safety in mind.