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Has your dog eaten too many Greenies? Are you worried the Greenies will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what Greenies are and whether or not they can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What are Greenies?
Greenies are a dog dental chew, which is supposed to help keep dogs’ teeth healthy and improve bad breath. The treats are a green color and look a little bit like a toothbrush on one end. Greenies are supposed to remove plaque and tartar and keep a dog’s teeth cleaner.
Greenies have been popular for years; however, there have been some cases where dogs swallowed one or more Greenies and developed a blockage. In some cases, the dogs died.
These treats are made of natural ingredients, which include:
- Wheat flour
- Glycerin
- Wheat gluten
- Gelatin
- Water
- Powdered cellulose
- Lecithin
- Minerals
- Turmeric color
These treats are nutritionally complete and are made with easily digestible ingredients. However, can Greenies make your dog sick? What happens if your dog has too many Greenies?
How Many Greenies Can a Dog Have?
According to the Greenies’ manufacturer, dogs should have one Greenies treat daily.
In addition, Greenies come in various sizes, so it’s easy to find Greenies that are just the right size for your fur baby. If you have a small dog, it’s essential to choose the smaller chews, as these are more difficult for your dog to swallow. For instance, petite Greenies are made for dogs between 17-25 lbs. Teenie Greenies are best for dogs that are between 6-15 lbs, while Regular Greenies are for dogs between 25-50 lbs, and Large Greenies are best for dogs between 50-100 lbs.
So, be sure to choose Greenies that are the right size for your fur baby, and this can lessen the chance of your dog swallowing the Greenies.
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Too many Greenies can make your dog sick. Dogs may develop digestive issues, or if large pieces of the Greenies were swallowed, they could lead to an intestinal blockage. This is a painful condition that can lead to death if not treated urgently by your vet.
Symptoms of a Dog Ingesting Too Many Greenies
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten too many Greenies:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Empty retching
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Excessive panting
- Lethargy
- Reduced appetite
- Diarrhea
- Constipation/lack of feces
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it’s time to call the vet. This could be a medical emergency.
One note: Do not induce vomiting. If the vet recommends this, they will induce vomiting in the veterinary clinic.
Stay calm. If possible, try to figure out how many Greenies your dog has eaten and try to determine if they chewed them up or ate them in large chunks. It can also help to bring the packaging along when you visit the vet.
Is your dog showing any symptoms (such as those mentioned above)? Your vet will want to know what symptoms your fur baby’s showing. These are necessary for making the right diagnosis.
Treatment of an Intestinal Blockage in Dogs
At the vet’s, they will first perform a complete physical exam on your dog. They may then decide to further investigate your dog’s illness. This may include lab work, x-rays and an ultrasound. The x-rays and ultrasound will help the vet see if there’s a blockage and where it’s located in the dog’s digestive tract.
If the images show a blockage, then your canine companion will need emergency abdominal surgery to safely remove it. Your vet will discuss this in detail with you if your dog needs surgery.
The good news is that in most cases, dogs who receive prompt medical treatment will go on to make a full recovery. Your fur baby will be back to normal in a couple of weeks!
How to Keep Greenies Out of Your Dog’s Reach
It’s best to store Greenies and all of your dog’s treats in a location he can’t access. The goal is to keep your fur baby from helping himself to his treats and overdoing it!
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Aisling O'Keeffe, MVB CertSAM ISFMCertAdvFB
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Aisling qualified as a vet 7 years ago from University College Dublin. She has worked in a mixture of UK small animal hospitals along with Irish practices. She worked for 3 years in a feline-only hospital where she further developed her feline medicine and surgery skills. She currently lives and works in a small animal hospital in Cork, Ireland.
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