Are Greenies Safe For Puppies

Years ago, there was a big hubbub about Greenies, the dental health chews that people give their dogs to help clean their teeth. Some dogs would apparently not follow the instructions, and rather than chew them, would simply swallow them whole or nearly whole. So much for helping their teeth!

Many dogs needed surgical removal of the Greenies from their intestines. Owner were not pleased. Veterinarians were stressed. I doubt the dogs were enjoying it much either.

So Greenies responded with a new formula that came out a few years ago. It is a bendier chew, but still offers the chewing experience needed to help your dog’s teeth and gums. But if your dog decides to swallow it whole, it will dissolve easily by letting the digestive juices do their job, no surgery needed.

I had a personal experience with the new formulation of Greenies a couple years ago that proved these suckers do, in fact, dissolve!

A tiny, 4 lb dog swallowed his big brother’s Greenie. It didn’t even make it to the stomach! Instead, it sat in the esophagus, right above the stomach, which I am sure was very uncomfortable for the dog. I could see on x-ray the clump of Greenie stretching the esophagus to 3 times its size! I immediately told the owner to take the dog to a specialist up the road from where I was practicing. They had an endoscope, and could put the dog under anesthesia, reach down his throat, and pull out the Greenie. Easy peasy, right?

The people chose to not go, for whatever reason (financial I assume), and the dog did not have the procedure. I called them a couple days later (not knowing they never went to where I sent them) to see how the dog was doing. The dog had been completely miserable for 48 hours, and unable to eat or drink. The owners did not understand the seriousness of this situation and chose to “give it time.” Well, apparently, over the course of 3 days, the Greenie dissolved, even in the esophagus, which lacks significant digestive juices! The dog was able to fully recover.

I was less than thrilled the dog had to unnecessarily suffer that long (and no one told us!). But I was very impressed at the dissolving ability of the new formulation of Greenies! The dog eventually recovered after one miserable weekend.

When to Give Your Puppy Dental Treats

It’s important to hold off on dental treats until your puppy is around 6 months old. Why? We’re glad you asked.

Your puppy has a tender tummy: Your little one is still growing and going through changes, especially in their GI tract. Introducing new foods could lead to messes on the carpet.

Puppy teeth are baby teeth: While they’re certainly sharp, your puppy’s teeth are not fully developed. Wait until their adult teeth come in and their jaw structure has had a chance to develop before giving them dental treats; otherwise they may damage their little chompers.

For these reasons, GREENIES™ recommends not giving puppies dental treats until they’re around 6 months old. This number will vary slightly depending on your dog’s breed and weight, so asking your vet is always a wise option.

Another important thing to remember is …

When Can I Start Giving My Puppy Dental Treats?

There are so many firsts to celebrate with your puppy: their first vet visit, their first trip to the dog park, their first haircut. But when should a puppy get their first delicious dental treat?

Giving your young pup dental treats can be a great bonding moment for both of you. Not to mention that you’ll be giving your dog a head start on their dental hygiene routine. And how can you refuse that irresistibly adorable face? You’re only human, after all. Read on to learn when you can safely give your puppy dental treats and how they can benefit.

Try More Greenies Dog Treats for a Mouthful of Goodness

FAQ

Is it OK to give Greenies to puppies?

Can puppies choke on Greenies?

Are Greenies harmful to dogs?