I have never met a dog owner who told me how much they enjoyed brushing their pets' teeth. In fact, I usually hear the exact opposite. Nevertheless, it needs to be done. However, if you can only brush Fido's teeth 1-3 times per week, you can supplement dental chews, like Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs, on the days when you don't brush.
I must stress the fact that these chews, just like dog dental water additives, are NOT a replacement for brushing. You'll still have to tend to your dog's dental care needs with a toothbrush and toothpaste on a regular basis, but dental chews can prevent plaque and tartar from building up between brushing.
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You're probably thinking, “What's the point? My dog eats poop and dead things he finds in the woods. Is brushing really going to make a big difference in his health?” Yes it is!
Did you know that periodontal disease is the most commonly seen health condition in dogs over 4 years old by veterinarians?
If you don't take care of Fido's teeth, bacteria from the mouth could leech into his bloodstream and have a negative effect on the organs of his body. In fact, studies have shown that periodontal disease in dogs has been linked to heart disease, as well as liver and kidney damage.
So, now that you know about the importance of dental care and dental chews, let's talk about Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs. They are one of the most recommended brands, and a lot of veterinarians even stock them in their office to sell to pet owners.
Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs (Pumpkin Spice Flavor) Review
Since I cannot accurately measure how effective these dog chews are at preventing plaque and tartar buildup on a dog's teeth, I'm going to believe the experts. Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs are accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).
What the heck does that mean?
In order to obtain the VOHC seal of approval, products must reduce plaque or tartar by at least 10%. If the product is coated with a chemical anti-plaque agent, it has to reduce plaque and tartar by at least 20% to receive approval.
Since these chews are accepted by the VOHC, I'm going to say they get the job done. Greenies use a unique texture to clean down to the gum line to fight plaque and tartar buildup. They sort of feel like a really soft rubber, and your dog's teeth sink into the chew while he's eating it.
The company says that these chews also freshen your dog's breath. I don't particularly care for the scent of the chews, as they don't smell like the traditional pumpkin spice that we're used to. If you lit a pumpkin spice candle in a butcher shop, it would smell similar to one of these Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs.
However, after the initial stink of the chew is gone from my dog's breath, it does seem to have less of a funk than it had before. Of course, our dogs have been eating Greenies every day for a couple of weeks.
Keep in mind that products like this are only effective when fed regularly according to the instructions on the packaging.
Don't expect to feed your pet one Greenies Dental Chew for Dogs per week and reap the rewards of cleaner teeth and fresher breath. You have to feed one per day in order for them to be effective. You also need to purchase the size that is right for your pet. They're available in sizes including:
- Teenie
- Petitie
- Regular
- Large
Just for comparison, the Greenies that I have are the Regular size. Our Labrador is a bit over that weight limit, and she can hog hers down in just a few seconds, but our little Beagle is right in the middle of that weight class, and it takes her about 4 or 5 minutes to eat hers.
As you can see in my video review above, our dogs love these treats. They're enticing to them, which makes me happy, but they are a fairly expensive dog treat. You can purchase a 12-count bag of these pumpkin spice flavored Greenies Dental Chews for Dogs on Amazon for $20.20 (at the time this article was written).
If you do the math, that's about $1.68 per treat. That's nearly $12 per week for dog treats. That's more than $600 per year if you give your pet one Greenies every day.
However, you also have to compare them to similar dental chews, and they're actually on the cheaper end of the spectrum for dental dog chew prices. Also, if you can save the money on veterinary care by keeping up with your dog's dental health, you're probably going to end up saving money in the long run.
The bottom line is, these treats are enticing to my dogs, healthy and effective at limiting the plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth. I'm happy with these treats, but they are a bit expensive for pet owners on a tight budget.
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