Penny & Greenies

[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.