Penny & Greenies

[My Peanuts]

This is not directed towards the original poster, but it is my opinion in general about the whole Greenies subject.

Greenies, just like EVERY OTHER DOG CHEW, need to be supervised while chewing. They have the same risk that rawhides, nylabones, pig ears, etc, etc have. We need to start taking responsibility for our own actions instead of taking the American way out and suing the big companies.

Greenies' bag also states;
"As with any edible product, monitor your dog to ensure the treat is adequately chewed. Gulping any item can be harmful or even fatal to a dog."

When purchasing, you should read the bag and you would be aware of such instances. YES, Greenies can be harmful! If your dog is an intense chewer or gulper, obviously soft and incredibly tasty treats that will make that urge stronger aren't for them!


Out of the millions of Greenies chewed daily - there are only a few cases.
Out of the millions of rawhides chewed daily - there are only a few cases.
Out of the millions of candies eaten by children - there are only a few cases.
Out of the millions of hot coffees served daily - there are only a few cases.

This goes for the people trying to go after the rope tug-of-war companies because their dogs tore the strings and died from it. DUH.

Common Sense..... something this world seems to be lacking now-a-days.

My dogs get Greenies every now and then as a special treat and you're darn right I'm on the floor watching their every bite - same thing with toys! If you don't have the time to supervise your animals with chews and toys, then you shouldn't give them.

I agree to an extent. Greenies don't break up in the system like other chews. A rawhide will become soft, but a Greenie will not. One vet they interviewed said that the Greenie was stuck in the dogs throat for over a day (the dog was still able to breath), but the Greenie was still rock hard. If a rawhide was stuck it would have been mush in that amount of time. Digestion for dogs and humans starts in the mouth with saliva. If you put a piece of cracker on your tongue and don't chew it, you can feel your saliva breaking it down. Saliva does not break down a Greenie.

RB Angie had Greenies shortly before her death. It was the one and only time she had it. I don't think the Greenie had anything to do with it, but I'm not taking any chances with my guys now. Accidents happen and people do need to take responsibility for there actions more; I do agree with that.
I watch my dogs very closely, but Greenies will never pass their lips.

[Vela]

Rawhide is actually extremely undigestible and actually poses more of a danger risk of getting lodged in the throat or intestines. I don't give my dogs anything but bully sticks and raw bones to chew on. I don't think there is enough benefit in those other types of chews for my dogs to outwiegh the risks involved, not when there are just better options. ANY chew or treat can pose a risk and they should always be watched, but none of those things, except the bully sticks and bones, are worth bothering with for me.

[lizbud]

I agree to an extent. Greenies don't break up in the system like other chews. A rawhide will become soft, but a Greenie will not. One vet they interviewed said that the Greenie was stuck in the dogs throat for over a day (the dog was still able to breath), but the Greenie was still rock hard. If a rawhide was stuck it would have been mush in that amount of time. Digestion for dogs and humans starts in the mouth with saliva. If you put a piece of cracker on your tongue and don't chew it, you can feel your saliva breaking it down. Saliva does not break down a Greenie.

This is the primary reason I don't give my pups Greenies.I think every
body should read all they can about this & make their own decision about
it. Just too many chemicals involved in manufactoring this product & I
don't feel comfortable about giving them.

[Lady's Human]

First, my original post was pure sarcasm. I know, sarcasm doesn't translate well on the web, but if CNN and Fox actually spent equal time running stories and posting corrections, they wouldn't have room for anything new. They make mistakes and flat out fabricate dangerous product stories (GM trucks anyone? ) to make ratings.

Second, a greenie stuck in a dogs throat over a day (one, where was the owner, two, why did treatment take so long) would not be subject to digestive juices, just the mucus in the throat, which is not part of the digestive process. When greenies are properly chewed by the dog, they are probably 100% digestable material. As an example from human food, if you just swallow a gummi bear without chewing, it will pass through your system relatively undigested, as your teeth didn't break the wax coating they put on them. There are many other coated foods that this holds true for.

[My Peanuts]

Second, a greenie stuck in a dogs throat over a day (one, where was the owner, two, why did treatment take so long) would not be subject to digestive juices, just the mucus in the throat, which is not part of the digestive process. When greenies are properly chewed by the dog, they are probably 100% digestable material. As an example from human food, if you just swallow a gummi bear without chewing, it will pass through your system relatively undigested, as your teeth didn't break the wax coating they put on them. There are many other coated foods that this holds true for.

I don't mean to argue, but digestion begins as soon as a piece of food enters the mouth. There are enzymes in saliva that begin to break down edible things. Numerous AP biology classes in high school and nutrition classes in college have taught me that. You are right that the stomach's acids are not breaking down the greenie stuck in a dog’s throat, but the saliva and mucus would start the process. Think of it this way... When a dog chews a rawhide it becomes very mushy, but if you leave it out in the rain it does not lose its original form. The rain may absorb a little, but not nearly as fast or as effective as a dog's saliva would.

Also, if the news is reporting the truth, greenies don't break down in the system. They simply just pass through the same way a coin would.

I'm not telling people not to give their pups Greenies. I'm just telling you why I won't. It's not worth it for me.

By the way, I have no idea what the pet owner or vet were thinking by letting the greenie stay stuck in the dog’s throat. It is no one I know personally, I saw it on TV.

[Lady's Human]

You are correct, saliva does contain enzymes that start the breakdown of proteins in food. The process is sped up by chewing. Mucous does not have anything to do with digestion, it is merely a lubricant.

Greenies do break down in the digestive system, but like any other food have to be chewed and broken up for digestion to occur. There are many foods that are untouched by digestion if they are not chewed.

News reports dealing with consumer affairs issues have a tendency to be driven more by sensationalism and ratings than truth. For example, one day coffee is a major cancer killer, the next it's a breakthrough medical miracle. The same has happened with alcohol. Various makes of cars have been named "dangerous" by news reporting at different times. Childrens toys, household appliances, the list is endless. Accuracy doesn't count, sound science doesn't count, all that counts is the rating for the show.

[My Peanuts]

To be honest, I'm a little wary of new products anyway. After all the pro-heart 6 stuff I stick to the time tested treats/medications when I can.