Frequently Asked Questions

Dental Care

• Exactly how do Greenies™ dental chews clean teeth?
• Why is dental care important to a dog’s health?
• How do new Greenies™ help keep a dog’s teeth clean?
• How effective is Greenies™ for improving oral care?
• Why are dental chews important to give to dogs?
• What it the best way to take care of dog's teeth?
• What it the best way to take care of dog's teeth?
• Is there any advice for making dental care a habit?
• If I give my dog dental chews daily, do I still need to get his teeth cleaned?
• Aren't all dental treats the same?
• Does the new Greenies™ have the VOHC Seal of Acceptance like original Greenies™ does?
  
  

  New Formulation

• Why did you change Greenies™?
• What are the benefits of new Greenies™?
• Will dogs still love the taste?
• Why is the shape of new Greenies™ different?
• Why the new chewy texture?
• Are new Greenies™ easy to chew and digest?
• What makes the new Greenies™ easy to digest?
• What is the lasting time of new Greenies™?
• How is new Greenies™ different from original Greenies™?
• How long was the new Greenies™ in development?
• What is biometrics? How does it work for Greenies™?
• What is the difference between solubility and digestibility?
• What is the difference between wheat ISOLATE and wheat GLUTEN?

  Feeding

• How do you know which is the right size for your dog?
• My dog is less than 6 months old and/or less than 7kg, can I give him Greenies™?
• Why are there three sizes?
• Is there a limit to the number of times I can feed Greenies™ in a day? Can I feed it as a diet?
• Is the product gluten free?
• Are Greenies™ chews suitable for dogs with diabetes? (sugar/carb content)
• Is the product suitable for dogs with an allergy to dairy products ?

  Misc

• Where are new Greenies™ sold?
• How much do Greenies™ cost?
• What is the shelf life of new Greenies™?
• What if I'm not satisfied with new Greenies™?
• Will Greenies™ stain my carpet?
• Can I chop Greenies™ up to give to my cat or small pocket pets?
• My Greenies™ are all clumped together. What do I do?

  Greenies™ Smart Sticks

• How do Greenies™ Smart Sticks clean teeth?
• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks soluble and digestible?
• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks gluten free?
• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks suitable for dogs with diabetes? (sugar/carb content)
• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks suitable for dogs with an allergy to dairy products ?

Dental Care

• Exactly how do Greenies™ dental chews clean teeth?

• Greenies™ helps control plaque and tartar build up by mechanical abrasion. As a dog chews the treat, the mechanical scraping and scrubbing of the tooth surface occurs and the dog’s teeth penetrate it. Greenies™ dental chews contain no chemicals to reduce plaque and tartar like many other products do.

• Why is dental care important to a dog’s health?

• Periodontal disease is currently the number one diagnosed disease in pets, however more than half of all dog owners admit they have no daily dental regime for controlling plaque and tartar, the two leading causes of periodontal disease. Worse yet, most dog owners don’t see dental health as a big deal. But, if gone unchecked, poor dental health leads to life-threatening conditions including liver, kidney and heart disease.

• How do new Greenies™ help keep a dog’s teeth clean?

• Because Greenies™ takes dental care seriously, the new Greenies™ dental chews feature a special shape and texture all designed for maximum dental efficacy. A new, chewy texture helps dogs sink their teeth into it with each bite, and the rounded ’bristles’ wrap around each of the dog’s teeth for greater contact. Movement of the teeth into and against these bristles creates a brushing action, much like a toothbrush, that helps control plaque and tartar build-up.
  
  In fact, studies show that new Greenies™ dental chews lead to 69 percent less tarter build-up and 10.5 percent less plaque build-up. All it takes is just one new Greenies™ dental chew a day.

• How effective is Greenies™ for improving oral care?

• Daily dental maintenance is the key to maintaining a dog’s oral health between regularly scheduled cleanings. When given once a day, the new Greenies™ chew has been shown in studies to effectively reduce tartar build-up by nearly 70 percent, reduce plaque build-up and help keep gums healthy. All it takes is just one new Greenies™ dental chew a day.

• Why are dental chews important to give to dogs?

• Chewing promotes good dental health. The more dogs chew, the more they work their mouth and teeth. As they bite, they clean their teeth. Clean teeth lead to fresher breath and healthier gums. Dental chews are an important part of an ongoing preventative dental care plan. When used once a day as part of a dental care routine, dental chews, such as Greenies™, can significantly reduce tartar and plaque build-up.

• What it the best way to take care of dog’s teeth?

• Vets recommend a dental care routine that includes oral exams at least once a year, dental brushing as advised and daily maintenance, which can be conveniently provided via a dental chew like Greenies™ once a day.

• Is there any advice for making dental care a habit?

• Vets recommend that dental care become a daily habit for dog owners. One of the easiest ways to do this is to schedule your dog’s dental care parallel to the timing of your own routine so it’s easy to remember when to give your dog his or her dental chew.

• If I give my dog dental chews daily, do I still need to get his teeth cleaned?

• Just as professional dental cleanings are important for good oral care in humans, annual dental cleanings by a vet for dogs are essential. An in-depth tooth and gum analysis and professional cleaning from a qualified vet at least once a year ensures there are no other health problems on the rise. However, daily dental care routines are critical as well. Including chews such as new Greenies™ helps to control tartar and plaque build-up and that helps promote good dental health. All it takes is just one new Greenies™ dental chew a day.

• Aren’t all dental treats the same?

• No two products are alike, just like no two dogs are alike. While most dental chews are created with a one-size-fits-all approach based on dog size and weight, recent research revealed that the shape of a dog’s skull actually determines how hard it can bite, how wide it can open its mouth and the placement of its teeth, allowing scientists to create an effective dental chew unlike anything else available.

• Does the new Greenies™ have the VOHC Seal of Acceptance like original Greenies™ does?

• We are in the process of conducting independent dental efficacy testing of new Greenies™ which we plan to submit for continued approval for the VOHC Seal of Acceptance. We anticipate the efficacy of the new recipe to be as high as with original Greenies™.

New Formulation

• Why did you change Greenies™?

• We are always looking for ways to improve all aspects of our products. This includes dental efficacy, palatability, nutritional efficacy, dog enjoyment and vet and pet owners’ confidence.

• What are the benefits of new Greenies™?

• New Greenies™, which are a convenient daily oral healthcare option, are reformulated based on new innovative, scientific research on biometrics and feature:

  • A chewy texture New, chewy texture that enables dog’s teeth to sink in with every bite, increasing contact and ’brushing’ action with individual teeth to help prevent tartar and plaque build-up and provide breath-freshening benefits
    
  • New shape A contoured shape with rounded edges fits dogs’ teeth and cleans hard-to-reach spots with a ’brushing action’ as the dog chews; also the new shape includes purposely sculpted valleys and ridges designed to accurately direct dogs to specific areas for maximum chewing
    
  • Easy digestibility the highly soluble proteins in new Greenies™ make the product extra chewy, and help the product break down quickly for easy digestion
  
  

• Will dogs still love the taste?

• New reformulated Greenies™ are a big hit with dogs. In fact, clinical studies show the new Greenies™ is preferred over the competition. And dogs will also benefit from the positive impact Greenies™ will have on controlling tartar and plaque, as well as keeping their breath fresh.

• Why is the shape of new Greenies™ different?

• The new Greenies™ is inspired by the famous green, toothbrush shape everyone loves, but the design has been advanced by extensive biometric research that told us how to accommodate the differing jaw strengths, sizes and structures of that dogs have. The new design features a curved and flexible shape to wrap around a dog’s teeth and clean hard-to-reach spots with a ’brushing action’ as the dog chews. There’s even an extra bristle for more cleaning power. The new shape is designed to offer maximum chewing action, which promotes healthier teeth and gums.

• Why the new chewy texture?

• Throughout the product development phase for new Greenies™, research showed that a soft, chewy texture would achieve the best dental care benefit, enabling a dog’s teeth to sink into the chew with every bite. In addition, the flexible texture is specially designed to accommodate different types and sizes of dogs (softer for small dogs and harder for larger dogs), so it’s easy to chew and digest.

• Are new Greenies™ easy to chew and digest?

• New Greenies™ is made of high quality, easily digestible proteins that help keep dogs’ teeth clean while also keeping their breath fresh. The easy to digest and chewy nature of new Greenies™ helps ensure that they are safe for dogs when given the appropriate sized serving. New Greenies™ are 96 percent digestible, which is more digestible than the average dry dog food.

• What makes the new Greenies™ easy to digest?

• New Greenies™ is designed with features that encourage dogs to chew off small pieces that are easy to digest. Its formula includes high quality and easy to digest proteins to make it soft, flexible and chewy.

• What is the lasting time of new Greenies™?

• Initial testing with beagles has demonstrated that new Greenies™ chew time is about 1/2 to 2/3 of the time of original Greenies™. However, lasting time varies significantly for every dog. The new, chewier texture encourages a dog to chew more and be less inclined to swallow a large piece without adequately chewing.

• How is new Greenies™ different from original Greenies™?

• The new Greenies™ represent the next generation of dental chews, developed using fresh biometric research for the first time in the pet treat category. The new Greenies™ dental chews feature a special shape and chewy, flexible texture all designed for maximum dental efficacy. In addition, the new Greenies™ features a new recipe made of high-quality proteins that make the new dental chew easy to digest.

• How long was the new Greenies™ in development?

• Greenies™ has a longstanding commitment to improving the lives of pets and their owners. An important part of that commitment is to continue to foster the most scientifically advanced research and product development. New Greenies™ came about following the application of some research on ’biometrics’ to the development of new oral care products.

• What is biometrics? How does it work for Greenies™?

• Biometrics may not be a familiar name, but this new science is used in some of the most cutting edge innovations in identification and physical mechanics of living characteristics – current applications include retinal scans, fingerprints, voice patterns and other applications. Insights from proprietary biometric research about canine physiology were critical to the development of the new Greenies™. This marks the first application of biometrics in the pet treat category.
  
  The biometrics study analysed the unique physiologies of different dogs, including anatomical differences between dogs of different body weight, shape, skull shape and bite force – all these factors impact biting and chewing capabilities. Measurements of the three main shapes of canine skulls (all breeds fall within one of these three shapes) were analysed to determine the maximum bite force and gape capabilities of various dogs and to design a dental chew that accounts for all of these variations. The result is a dental chew that is designed to be good for all dogs.

• What is the difference between solubility and digestibility?

• Digestibility refers to the actual physical and nutritional breakdown and utilisation of foodstuffs by the body. In vitro solubility (or disappearance testing) is a test tube based method of determining the extent of breakdown of a food product in the gut. It involves subjecting a food item to a series of environments which simulate the stomach (an acid environment) and the intestines (a basic environment). This is an important consideration when designing a pet food product to ensure products are as safe as possible for all dogs.

• What is the difference between wheat ISOLATE and wheat GLUTEN?

• Wheat protein isolate is a wheat protein that has been chemically processed to remove most of the starch. It is a more pure wheat protein than wheat gluten. Wheat protein isolate is 85% protein and wheat gluten is 75% protein. Wheat protein isolate is more soluble (20%) than wheat gluten (3%).

Feeding

• How do you know which is the right size for your dog?

• New reformulated Greenies™ is based on scientific data on biometrics, which analyzed canines unique physiology such as tooth position, skull shape, weight and bite force. Traditionally, pet chews are designed strictly based on size and weight of a dog, but the biometric research shows that texture and shape of a dental chew are as important as size when it comes to the way dogs chew. That’s why new Greenies™ come in three sizes from ’Petite’ to ’Large’ that fit any dog’s needs perfectly.
  
  Large for dogs between 22 and 45kg
  Regular for dogs between 11 and 22kg.
  Petite for dogs between 7 and 11kg
  
  If a store near you does not carry all sizes, please ask the manager of the store to do so.

• My dog is less than 6 months old and/or less than 7kg, can I give him Greenies™?

• We do not recommend Greenies™ for dogs less than 7kg and/or less than 6 months of age because they do not have adequate chewing abilities.

• Why are there three sizes?

• The groundbreaking biometric research made it possible to design a dental chew with the most appropriate texture and hardness for dogs with a variety of bite force capabilities. The result is a new Greenies™ dental chew in three different sizes (from Petite to Large) that is designed to be good for all dogs of all sizes.

• Is there a limit to the number of times I can feed Greenies™ in a day? Can I feed it as a diet?

• We recommend that Greenies™ be fed as a treat and not a sole diet. The feeding recommendation of 1 per day follows the global WCPN recommendation for complementary pet foods, that a snack or treat does not exceed 15% of the dogs’ daily caloric intake. This treat does not replace the main meal and, if given too many or if the wrong size is given to the wrong size dog, then the dog may exceed its daily calorie limit and therefore promote obesity. Also, because the treat is highly digestible, it can cause gastric upset and diarrhoea if fed in excessive quantity.

• Is the product gluten free?

• No, it is NOT gluten free. Greenies do contain wheat gluten

• Are Greenies™ chews suitable for dogs with diabetes? (sugar/carb content)

• Please consult your vet. (Carbohydrate content is about 1%, of which 0% are sugars.)

• Is the product suitable for dogs with an allergy to dairy products ?

• No, Greenies Chews contain milk protein and so are not suited to dogs with an allergy to dairy products.

Misc

• Where are new Greenies™ sold?

• The new Greenies™ are available at specialist pet stores across the country and online. Please see stockists page for more information.

• How much do Greenies™ cost?

• The price of Greenies™ varies based on package size. The approximate retail range for a package is £0.70 to £4.25 depending on size and count.

• What is the shelf life of new Greenies™?

• New Greenies™ have a 12 month shelf life. The ’Best Before’ expiry date is printed on the bottom of the bag.

• What if I’m not satisfied with new Greenies™?

• Please call the Greenies™ helpline: 0845 454 1234
  Or write to us at: Freepost Greenies
  (IRL: Greenies, Box 3856, Dublin 2)
  

• Will Greenies™ stain my carpet?

• That has not been our general experience. But if saliva-saturated remnants are rubbed into the carpet and remain on the carpet for a long period of time, it could be possible.

• Can I chop Greenies™ up to give to my cat or small pocket pets?

• Greenies™ dental chews have a texture that is designed to accommodate a dog’s bite force. We would therefore not recommend Greenies™ canine dental treats for cats. We do not carry a product appropriate for pocket pets.

• My Greenies™ are all clumped together. What do I do?

• Because of the chewy, flexible, soluble ingredients, under high heat or humid conditions Greenies™ dental chews can tend to adhere to each other. This in no way affects their integrity or nutrition. You can easily pull them apart for normal feeding.

Greenies™ Smart Sticks

• How do Greenies™ Smart Sticks clean teeth?

• Greenies™ Smart sticks clean teeth in 2 ways. Firstly, the special texture is designed to gently scrape plaque from the tooths surface. Secondly the product contains specially selected ingredients which have been proven to reduce the build up of tartar (which is also known as calculus)

• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks soluble and digestible?

• These are very important parameters, and the recipe has been designed and high quality ingredients selected to meet our high standards.

• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks gluten free?

• Yes, the product is gluten free

• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks suitable for dogs with diabetes? (sugar/carb content)

• No, the product is not suitable of dogs with diabetes

• Are Greenies™ Smart Sticks suitable for dogs with an allergy to dairy products ?

• Yes, the product does not contain dairy products.