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 pet’s 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 pet’s 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 don’t like to take pills.
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.
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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 pet’s 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.
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.
Older dogs have special needs. Their bodies are beginning to slow down and the wear and tear of life has started to take its toll. The life span of dogs can vary enormously and is partly dependent on the individual breed although many other factors are also involved. A good start in life – through proper care and nutrition as a puppy and young adult – will go a long way to prolonging his active life and see him through to old age.
You can also feel over his body for any new lumps or bumps. Warts and benign fatty tumors (lipomas) are very common in old dogs. They should not cause any problems unless they are in a position where they can cause damage to other structures (on the eyelid, for example) or where they are uncomfortable or are easily traumatized. Any unusual swelling should be checked by your veterinarian – especially if it is growing quickly. Your vet can put your mind at rest and will advise you of the best form of treatment. If an operation is required, it is best that this is done at an early stage – so dont delay in seeking advice.
Take this opportunity to examine his mouth and look at his gums and teeth. Brown tartar deposits on the teeth will lead to bad breath, gum disease and infections and will eventually cause the teeth to fall out. Your veterinarian can scale the teeth to remove the tartar and will remove any loose teeth. This usually requires a general anesthetic. It is far better to aim to prevent or minimize the occurrence of gum disease by feeding your dog some hard foods (such as hard biscuits or dry dog food) as part of his diet throughout his life. Brush his teeth regularly using a special dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste, or a soft cloth or cotton swab dipped in baking soda.
Because your dog is less mobile at this stage of his life, he will spend longer lying down in one place. Make sure that he does not lie in a cold, damp spot or out in the hot sun for any length of time. Keep his bed in a warm, draft-free position and make sure that it is well padded. If he lies for long periods on a rough or hard surface – particularly if he is one of the heavier breeds – he may develop calluses of rough skin over the bony prominences of the body, such as the elbows and the hocks. These can become ulcerated and infected, so it is important to provide plenty of bedding.
As his body ages, there is a gradual deterioration in the vital organs of the body. He is less active, and may therefore need fewer calories, and his organs may function less efficiently. Because his body is slowing down, it cannot cope so readily with disease or other stresses, so these should be kept to a minimum.
WHY WE DON’T RECOMMEND GREENIES | The BK Petcast Clips (Ep 4)
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.
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?
The main reason why pet parents purchase Greenies dental chews is for the “dental care benefits” that Greenies boasts their product provides.
This entire statement focuses on the benefits of chewing, but fails to address the most important topic “What is your dog actually chewing on.”
There is no denying that chewing or gnawing has proven to be an effective method for keeping a dog’s teeth clean, gums healthy, and freshen breath.
So yes, chewing on say, a shoe, may be beneficial for your dog’s teeth and gum health, but that doesn’t mean it is healthy for your dog to be consuming shoes.
So, in the short term, dental chews like Greenies dog treats might effectively remove plaque and tartar from your pup’s teeth.
But, in the long term, they are actually contributing to the overall plaque and tartar problem.