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How many greenies can a dog have in a day?

How many greenies can a dog have in a day?

I don't know if you can relate, but I have a dog that loves Greenies, almost as much as Kabo food! She would eat them all day if I let her! I like seeing her happy, but I don’t want to be a bad pet parent by giving her too many! I dug a bit deeper to find out how many Greenies a dog can have a day. Here’s what I found…

So, how many Greenies can a dog have a day? One regular size treat per day (per Greenies feeding guidelines). These guidelines apply to dogs that weigh 25-50 pounds. If your dog weighs less than this, this size of dental treat is not suitable, though other sizes are available. Also, experts and Greenies themselves say that Greenies are not suitable for puppies until they are over the age of 6 months.

Greenies dental treats come in different sizes to suit a variety of dog breeds. When giving your dog one dental treat a day, it is important to make sure you pick the right size treat.

Vets say that one Greenies Dental Treat per day is an excellent addition to your dog’s dental health routine. They say you should also clean your dog’s teeth regularly and visit the vet for dental checkups at least once a year.

How many Greenies are too much? 

Black lab being served a Greenies treat

The manufacturers of Greenies Dental Treats say you should give your dog a Greenie once a day. They say that daily dental treats can help to freshen your dog’s breath.

They also reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth.

Dog owners have different opinions about how many dental treats to feed their dogs: 

  • Some give their pet a dental treat once or twice a week.
  • Some owners say that Greenies are too expensive to give to their dog more than once a week.
  • The most any owner says they give their dog is two Greenies a day.
  • But most owners choose to give their pet one Greenie a day, as the instructions on the packet recommend.
  • Some choose to give their dog a dental treat at night, as though brushing their teeth before bed. Many owners recognize that Greenies keep their dog’s breath fresh.
  • Owners also find that most dogs love them, so they are a worthwhile treat to use on a regular basis.

 Greenies are not recommended if your dog suffers from allergies or hypersensitivity.

How Many Greenies Can a Small Dog Have a Day?

We recommend feeding one Greenies Dental Treat a day to any size of dog.

If you have a small dog, you should choose a smaller dental treat:

  • ‘Petite’ Greenies are good for dogs that weigh 15-25 pounds.
  • And ‘Teenie’ Greenies are the perfect size for dogs that weigh 5-15 pounds.
  • Greenie’s for puppies six months or older- found in Petite, Teenie and Regular sizes

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACIVM) has experienced some health problems. They reported 30 cases of esophageal blockages as a result of eating Greenies. The majority of these cases have been in smaller breeds.

Greenies have also caused teeth fractures in smaller dogs. It is essential to follow the instructions on the packet. The treats specify the size of the dog, as well as the recommended number of treats per day. If you feed a large treat to your small dog, this could cause health problems or even death due to choking. This is because the treat could be too large, hard to chew and digest.

Are Too Many Greenies Bad for Dogs?

Greenies come in a variety of flavours. Dogs do love them, so it is tempting to give them more than one a day, especially when they flash their 'puppy eyes'. But too many Greenies can be bad for dogs.

Greenies work to clean your dog’s teeth. They have a unique shape and texture, so they scrub your dog’s teeth while they are chewing. But the problem is, they are so enjoyable for dogs that this can actually be a bad thing!

Greenies are larger treats that can take some time to eat. But, many dogs eat them so quickly that they miss out on the dental benefits.

If Greenies Dental Treats get swallowed rather than chewed, the dog’s teeth do not get scrubbed clean. When Greenies are not fully chewed, there is a danger that your dog could suffer blockages.

Greenies logo

To reduce these dangers, it is important to give your dog fresh water and watch them while they are eating. You can also consider alternate ways to avoid the doggy dentist. 

Greenies had some bad press when 13 dogs reportedly died from eating Greenies. This was due to intestinal blockages caused by undigested dental treats.

These dangers are common in all large chewable treats and are not exclusive to Greenies. This has nothing to do with exceeding the recommended number of treats per day. The danger comes when a dog woofs down their treat without chewing. To combat this, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your dog’s eating habits.

Greenies have updated their formula, so the treats are safer. These dental treats are now more easily digested. Although they still have the same chewable texture that keeps dog’s mouths and teeth fresh and clean.

Like with many treats, a dog that eats too many Greenies per day may be eating too many calories.

Some vets say that dental treats can contain 15-70% of your dog’s recommended daily calorie intake. This can be bad for your dog in one of two ways:

  • If you give your dog a high-calorie dental treat on top of their daily diet, they will gain weight.  
  • If you feed your dog less food to compensate for the calories in the treat, they may miss out on vital nutrients. Dental treats do contain some vitamins, but a good quality dog food (like Kabo!) provides a much more balanced diet.

Adapted for Kabo from our friends at DogBreedList

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February 20, 2024
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