Greenies

Greenies are little green bones you find either in the dental aisle of your pet store or near the denta-bones in the treats area.

They help reduce bad breath, improve gum and teeth health and most dogs love them to pieces. The Greenies website also promotes them as being nutritious.

When I got Cooper, I was at my parents' house for Christmas and they live in the middle of nowhere. He was chewing on everything he could find so I went to the local feed store and the lady there suggested them because they're softer than other bones and would be easier on his little puppy teeth.

I've been giving Cooper a petite sized Greenie since that day and if they ever went out of business, I am sure we could find Cooper on the streets, trying to buy them on the black market or pimping himself out for a fix during an episode of "Cops".

If you read the packaging, they say the petite sized bones are for dogs 10-20 lbs. Cooper's been gnawing on them since he was weighed in ounces though ... and it didn't seem to stunt his growth or anything. However, if your pup is really small, you may want to try the "teenies" instead. They just began making them but I've seen them everywhere lately.

I'm such a dork when it comes to things Cooper eats. If the packaging says "made of human grade food" or "all natural", I'll taste it.

I bought him some biscuits at Petsmart called Luv'a Bones (World's Finest Gourmet Dog Biscuits, or so they say on the box) in the Roasted Turkey and Sweet Potato flavor. When I opened the box, they smelled exactly like turkey and sweet potatoes ... the box says they're all natural, made with real meat and veggies and I couldn't resist so I ate one. Now Cooper gets mad at me when he sees me grabbing the box because he knows he's going to get one but I'm going to eat one too ... and that's one less biscuit in his box. :lol:

I don't know why I do that; probably because he tastes my food and turnabout is fair play. Plus, they're yummy.

I don't act like a dingaling with the cat's food. I just give it to her and leave it alone. Probably because she and I sleep in the same bed and I know she wouldn't think twice about suffocating me in my sleep.

xx-nathalie-xx said:

even the petstore in my neigbourhood doesn't recommend them ...because they splinter ....... :? i'm lucky mine just don't like them

kisses nat

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My vet doesn't recommend them either. It's not just the splintering. There have been some studies done and it was proven they hardly digest at all. Also, there was an autopsy done on one dog who died rather suddenly - the owner requested it. They found large clumps of greenies in the tummy and intestines. This was a large dog and apparently his owner give him a lot of greenies. The person who performed the autopsy confirmed that the greenies had eventually caused a blockage, leading to infection and necrosis, and eventually death.

Now, let me say this was a one time instance and no one really knows for sure if this was just a freak case, or if it happens to some extent in a lot of dogs. I tried to find the site where I read this, but couldn't. Just remember reading it on the internet. I did ask my vet about it when I was in last time, and she hadn't heard about it but did say she doesn't recommend them. She prefers the CET chews.

Your babies aren't the only ones who don't like them, Nat. I had bought a couple for Jasmine before I spoke with my vet, and she would have nothing to do with them. Course she doesn't like the CET chews
either. :lol:

However, I do agree if you stayed clear of everything that could potentially cause problems, you and your pets probably wouldn't eat at all. It's just a matter of weighing the pros and cons, and making your own personal decisions.