Greenies, the dental chews that people give their dogs to help clean their teeth, generated a lot of buzz in the past. Some dogs didn’t seem to follow the directions, and instead of chewing them, they would just swallow them whole or almost whole. So much for helping their teeth!.
Many dogs had to have the Greenies surgically removed from their intestines. Owner were not pleased. Veterinarians were stressed. I doubt the dogs were enjoying it much either.
Greenies responded by releasing a new formula a few years ago. Although it is more flexible, it still provides the chewing experience necessary to maintain your dog’s teeth and gums. However, if your dog decides to swallow it whole, it will easily dissolve by allowing the digestive system to do its job without the need for surgery.
A few years ago, I had a first-hand experience with the updated Greenies formula, which demonstrated that these suckers really do dissolve!
A tiny, 4 lb dog swallowed his big brother’s Greenie. Instead, it sat in the esophagus, directly above the stomach, where I’m sure the dog found it to be extremely uncomfortable. I immediately advised the owner to take the dog to a specialist up the road from where I was working because I could see on the x-ray that the clump of Greenie was stretching the esophagus to three times its size. They could put the dog under anesthesia, use an endoscope to reach down his throat, and remove the Greenie. Easy peasy, right?.
For whatever reason (I assume financial), the people decided not to go, and the dog was not given the necessary treatment. I called them a few days later to see how the dog was doing (not realizing they never arrived where I sent them). For the previous 48 hours, the dog had been in excruciating pain and was unable to eat or drink. The owners decided to “give it time” because they didn’t realize how serious this situation was. The dog was able to fully recover because it appears that the Greenie disintegrated over the course of three days, even in the esophagus, which lacks significant digestive juices.
I wasn’t happy that the dog had to endure that much needless suffering for so long (and nobody told us!) However, I was very pleased with the new formulation of Greenies’ ability to dissolve, and the dog eventually recovered after a miserable weekend.
Can Greenies upset a dog’s stomach?
The veterinarian warned us that Greenies have occasionally been known to result in intestinal blockage. When we called our veterinarian, he explained that the dog’s bloody stool was being caused by severe intestinal distress.
When given to dogs in the proper serving size, GREENIESTM Dental Chews’ easy digestion and chewy nature help to ensure their safety. More digestible than the typical dry dog food, GREENIESTM Dental Chews are 96 percent digestible.
Can a dog eat a mint?
Despite the fact that your dog may adore mint, it’s crucial to prevent him from eating too many of the leaves from your garden or giving him mints meant for humans. English Pennyroyal is toxic to dogs even though most mint is not, so you should never give it to them.
Why are greenies bad for dogs?
According to him, any product has the potential to cause an obstruction in a dog, and the packaging for Greenies advises dog owners to keep an eye on their dog to make sure the treat is being chewed thoroughly. The package warns that “Gulping any item can be harmful or even fatal to a dog.”
The veterinarian warned us that Greenies have occasionally been known to result in intestinal blockage. He suggested that we take him to the urgent care animal hospital for more serious treatment. When we called our veterinarian, he explained that the dog’s bloody stool was being caused by severe intestinal distress.
FAQ
Can Greenies cause stomach upset?
Although many of the ingredients in Greenies products are safe for many dogs on their own, dogs can develop allergies to one or more of these ingredients at any time, just like people. Food allergies typically cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and hives as symptoms rather than being life-threatening.
Are Greenies hard for dogs to digest?
When given to dogs in the proper serving size, GREENIESTM Dental Chews’ easy digestion and chewy nature help to ensure their safety. More digestible than the typical dry dog food, GREENIESTM Dental Chews are 96 percent digestible.
Can Greenies cause problems in dogs?
However, dogs might bite off more than they can chew. One veterinarian informed us that according to preliminary national data he had compiled, Greenies were the No. 3 reasons for esophageal blockages, including fishhooks and bones
Are Greenies good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Greenies natural Dental Chews are an excellent option for dogs with sensitive stomachs because they are made with only natural ingredients. In order to increase its health benefits, it also boasts a remarkable combination of macronutrients and micronutrients.