Greenie Alert

[Guest rottndobie]

On my Doberman forum someone brought up the subject of giving Greenies. I knew they were bad - just not how bad. I personally know of one dog who died and another who required intestinal surgery (both Dobes). I did some searching and found the following links:

http://www.midatlanticpugrescue.org/greenies.html

http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/nl-7aug2001-warning.html

http://www.quikonnex.com/channel/item/15576

http://www.globalpaw.com/showthread.php?threadid=5983

http://improvehomelife.com/greenies.html

IMHO it is not worth the risk to either give these or continue to give them. I would far rather take my chances with pressed rawhides...

[CathyAnn]

I didn't review the sites but a question.....

Do the packages of Greenies give any type of warning about possible choking??

Cathy

[toomanypaws]

Thanks for the links. I think someone else mentioned greenies here and how dangerous they are. I stopped using them a while ago after Abbey threw up large chunks of one. One can never be too safe w/ our little Cairns, especially the way they love to chew on things.

[Darcy's Folks]

Interesting information. We were going to buy one last week, but the speciality store we went to sold us on another product made out of potatoes, herbs and other all natural products. We haven't yet given it to Darcy only because we introduced new food in her diet this week and wanted to make sure that went well before giving any new treats.

It seems this has been a topic mentioned numerous times here. After checking out all of the links, I'm simply surprised. Wonder what sort of feedback or response the Greenie company has made.

[maggie]

I used to give Kai-lee the little pieces, when she got old enough to get the bigger ones I bought some and she would stick the whole thing in her mouth & just whine, it worried me because I figured she could swallow it whole since she wasn't chewing [and heavens knows she chews everything else!] We got even bigger ones and she still acted really odd with it so that was the end of them for us...probably a good thing!

[Guest rottndobie]

I didn't review the sites but a question.....

Do the packages of Greenies give any type of warning about possible choking??

Cathy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope - no warning of any kind on the packaging. I was at PetSmart a few weeks ago and their was a sales rep from the company and a table displayed with all kinds of Greenies. I tried to tell this person the dangers but she just thought I was crazy. I plan on printing out this links and keeping them with me to show in the future if needed.

Here are the Ingredients:

Processed wheat gluten, glycerin, natural flavor, powdered cellulose fiber, monosodium phosphate, monoglycerides of edible fatty acids, magnesium stearate and chlorophyll.

Can't see anything in there that I would feed - certainly no quality ingredience...

[Binx75075]

This item is quite popular at Petsmart. I just sent them an e-mail advising them of the fatal dangers of this product & asked for their standpoint on removing the product from their shelves......

To Whom It May Concern:

I was surfing a website for cairn terrier owners and read some horror stories in which dogs have died as a result of eating the popular product, "Greenies." In numerous accounts, it has been stated that it DOES NOT DISSOLVE & if swallowed in chunks, it cannot pass through the dog's system. In another account it was stated that the "Greenie" made a tear in the dog's throat & had intestinal blockage because the "Greenie" did not digest easily.

Here are several links to the news stories.

http://www.midatlanticpugrescue.org/greenies.html

http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/nl-7aug2001-warning.html

http://www.quikonnex.com/channel/item/15576

http://www.globalpaw.com/showthread.php?threadid=5983

http://improvehomelife.com/greenies.html

As far as I am aware of, there is no warning label on the packaging. It is obvious this product can cause a fatal injury to a dog & I would like to know Petsmart's position on removing this product from your shelves. If you do not remove this product from your shelves, do you intend on posting a warning signs to your customers about the possible fatal dangers of this product?

I would appreciate a response from you as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Jason Mogoll

[Binx75075]

Here's an e-mail I sent to Greenies......

To Whom It May Concern:

I was surfing a website for cairn terrier owners and read some horror stories in which dogs have died as a result of eating your product. In numerous accounts, it has been stated that it DOES NOT DISSOLVE & if swallowed in chunks, it cannot pass through the dog's system. In another account it was stated that the "Greenie" made a tear in the dog's throat & had intestinal blockage because the "Greenie" did not digest easily.

Here are several links to the news stories.

http://www.midatlanticpugrescue.org/greenies.html

http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/nl-7aug2001-warning.html

http://www.quikonnex.com/channel/item/15576

http://www.globalpaw.com/showthread.php?threadid=5983

http://improvehomelife.com/greenies.html

As far as I am aware of, there is no warning label on the packaging. It is obvious this product can cause a fatal injury to a dog & I would like to know your company's position on having this product recalled & discontinued until more tests can be done. Your product has caused the deaths of a large number of dogs. I understand that just because a few dogs die from eating your product may not be a big deal, but if my dog had died because of your product I would intend on holding your company liable.

I would appreciate a response from you as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Jason Mogoll

[CathyAnn]

Good for you, Jason!!

Please be sure to share the responses, if any, that you receive from them.

Cathy

[Binx75075]

Good for you, Jason!!

Please be sure to share the responses, if any, that you receive from them.

Cathy

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes ma'am..... not a problem...........

[Binx75075]

Here's the e-mail I received from Petsmart..........

Dear Customer,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us here at PetSmart.

There are appropriate and adequate warning labels on the product. When a problem does arise it may be more due to the chewing habits of a particular dog than a "defective" product. It is true that some types of chews may not be appropriate for some dogs. To voice your concerns directly, please contact S&M Nutec (greenies) at 816-221-8538.

Once again, thank you for contacting us here at PetSmart.

Regards,

Barany Chittenden

Product Care Specialist

Store Operations

PETsMART

[Binx75075]

I created a new topic with Petsmart's response to my e-mail.

[bradl]

Merged into this topic ... as it's a follow-up and still on-topic.

[Binx75075]

Merged into this topic ... as it's a follow-up and still on-topic.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Brad.... my apologies for the extra topic...... it's been a long day at work.

[Guest rottndobie]

Thanks Jason for going to that extent with your e-mails. I just read PetSmart's reply and I must say, I am not surprise by them beating around the bush on Greenies like they are. After all, it is $$$ in their pocket - they don't have to worry about any vet bills. I have talked to a couple private pet stores that I saw Greenies for sale in but when I told the owners of the dangers it didn't make any difference. I think the almighty dollar takes presidence with pet stores.

I personally think it will take several lawsuits aginst the manufacturers of Greenies to get them off the market. One of the people who had a Dobe that died because of eating a Greenie did sue them and did get all vet expenses paid by the company but I guess it didn't make any difference in them selling anyway.

[Binx75075]

rottndobie.....

You're absolutely correct. $$$ talks & unfortunately it is going to take a large number of people filing a lawsuit against the company in order for it to make any kind of difference. I mainly sent them an e-mail to show that at least one person had a concern about the safety of the product. I just felt compelled to write.

[Cairnmania]

I stopped giving my dogs Greenies after Rudi twice threw up pieces. Unlike the package says, they are definitely not "fully digestible."

The truth is dogs can choke on anything hard they can fit into their mouths. Dogs have been known to choke on kibble. Dogs can choke on rawhide, pieces of all kinds of edible manufactured bones, raw real bones, pigs ears, choo hooves, any dried and baked animal part, Nylabones, Kongs, sticks they find outside .. and the list goes on.

One of my dogs, Abby, does not like to chew. She's acts like a delicate little thing and was fine even with Greenies. She refuses to swallow large pieces of anything, in fact, if she considers something too big she will bring it back to me to break into smaller bits! On the other hand, Rudi will swallow anything - size (or substance) is no object. So PetsMart is correct really - you need do need to consider your dog, because nothing is truly safe.

Stacey

[Binx75075]

Here is the response I received from "Greenies"..............

From :  Jody Hanson <jody@wilsonchapmanre.com>

Sent :  Tuesday, October 4, 2005 9:07 AM

To :  <jason_mogollon@hotmail.com>

CC :  <info@greenies.com>

Subject :  RE: Requesting a response to negative information about your product

 

  |  |  | Inbox

Jason,

Thank you so much for taking the time to e-mail us with your concerns. We appreciate you sending us all of those links.

Millions of Greenies

[Guest rottndobie]

What utter bull - pardon my English..

If the only thing the mfger of Greenies can say it that the owners were giving the "wrong size" to their dogs - that is piss poor IMO. Again IMO, size should not matter. Look at rawhides - they come in tons of different sizes and shapes and you certainly don't hear of dogs dying or requiring surgery for eating them - not only for incorrect size but just period...

Thanks Jason for posting that... I think less of this manufacturer then I did before....

[Cairnmania]

I've already said I don't feed Greenies because twice my dog threw up pieces of them - even though I fed him the correct size greenie and supervised him the entire time.

The response from Greenies is not b.s., it's perfectly accurate and truthful IMO.

Unfortunately, you do hear of dogs dying or requiring surgery from treats such as rawhide. Try searching this site or any dog web site or the web and you'll quickly find out what I mean. I've lost count of the number of friends I've had who have had to fish rawhide out of a dog's mouth to prevent them from chocking to death. You can count me as one of them. I know of a Mastiff whose throat was practically ripped open from swallowing rawhide before it had a chance to go soft. Rawhide has also caused blockages.

Nothing is completely safe. That's life for all of us.

Stacey

[Marmielin]

I have purchased Greenies once, and that from at my vet's office. I never thought he would be selling something dangerous. Tink doesn't seem to like them anyway, and I never give them to her. She is a peculiar dog - doesn't eat that kind of thing, just hides them.

Lindab

[newcairn]

Simply put, these things (among others) are not good for our dogs. I wouldn't put a greenie within ten feet of Digby. They can choke, and don't pass through the digestive system. Horrible that the pet industry is not more regulated, some of the products out there are basically poison.

[Binx75075]

Well, I just wanted to see what the overall perception was of Greenie's e-mail response. I guess this will be an ongoing debate.

Some owners swear by this product and others would not even consider giving it to their pets at all.

[Guest mhenyc]

HI,

GREENIE DEATH

My dog died on July 25, 2005 from a Greenie. It caused severe internal damage, had to be surgically removed, and caused his death 48 hours later. I would like to hear from anyone that has similar experiences with this product (hopefully not with the same outcome as mine). I urge you all to think twice about this product.

SImply put: Greenies: you dog can live without them.

Thanks,

Mike Eastwood

on behalf of my beloved, deceased "Burt" the mini daschund.

[CathyAnn]

Mike,

I am truly sorry to hear of Burt's death. I can't imagine going thru all that, it must have been horrible.

May I ask....did you contact the company? What, if anything, did your vet have to say??

Again, my deepest sympathies,

Cathy