I received a package a while ago from my friend over at americandiabeteswholesale.com. It contained Greenies Lites!!
Greenies Lite
The Greenie Lites are little toothbrush looking treats designed to clean your dog’s teeth. The Greenies come in two kinds, regular and lite and in four different sizes.
The Greenies Lite are geared more towards Overweight or less active dogs but also would fall into the category for diabetic dogs. Let’s do a quick comparison.
Every thing in Red is are the same ingredients.
| Greenies | Greenies Lite | |
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Ingredients:
Vitamins
Chlorophyll. |
Ingredients:
vitamins
carotene,
|
|
|
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 52.0%
|
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 21.0%
|
|
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Total kilocalories per dental chew per treat: Jumbo – 270 |
Total kilocalories per dental chew per treat: No Jumbo |
As you can see the Lites are better. But I’m not particularly thrilled with some of the ingredients.
Apple pomace &
tomato pomace
Pomace is the solid remains of grapes, olives, or other fruit after pressing for juice or oil. It contains the skins, pulp, seeds, and stems of the fruit.
Fruit seeds contain cyanide, a very little amount but enough that over time can hurt or kill a dog.
Oat fiber, wheat flour, barley flour
It can cause problems if your dog is allergic to Oats, wheat, or barley. The chances your dog is allergic to any of those are low but its some thing to be mindful of.
Rice flour
White Rice is bad for diabetic dogs. It is high on the glycemic index which means it is high in carbs and those carbs turn into sugar. Brown Rice is much better but rather high.
But how bad is any of this? I really don’t know because the amounts aren’t listed. I tested Bender before I gave him a Greenie Lite and then a hour later. His glucose level was at 100 each time. But the real issue here is factoring in a Greenie Lite with your dogs diabetic schedule. The manufacture recommends one Greenie Lite a day. If that is the case, factor in that extra amount of food when balancing your diabetic dog’s levels.
As for Bender, he loves them. I give him a half a one every 10-15 days or so. He eats it in about one minute. A whole one takes him about two minutes. Luna on the other hand, it takes her about five minutes to go through a half a Greenie Lite. She really chews them. Bender on the other hand really doesn’t chew.
Over all I think these Greenie Lites are pretty good treats. Concerned slightly about the choice of ingredients but over all I think a good treat for every now and then.
Head over to americandiabeteswholesale.com if you want to pick up some Greenies Lites or other Diabetic Pet Supplies.
I have a dog that has recently suffered with severe pancreatitas. He has Diabetas and has to have special Pro Plan Veterinary EN food. I order the tins of wet food from an on line supplier and the last case i’ve received has a free packet of Greenies inside. These are large Greenies for dogs 23-25 kg. My dog is 15.5 kg. Would a smaller weight lite Greenies be ok for him or should i send them back and complain?
Stuart,
Why would you complain about a free packet of Greenies? If you don’t want to give them to your dog, then give them away to another pet owner or to an animal shelter. I get free samples from time to time that I don’t want to give to Bender. I just give them away to some one who will use them.
If you do decide to give them to your dog, since they are for larger dogs, you could try breaking them in half. But also be mindful that any extra food/treats should be considered when giving insulin. Insulin might need to be adjusted.
-Jeff
How can I determine sodium content. Our vet said only treats under 15 mg. Thanks
Jenny,
It seems most dog treats don’t list sodium content. Short of doing your own tests or asking the manufacturer, I’m not sure.
We give our pups Zuke’s Mini Naturals Dog Treats: http://amzn.to/2ysZVNJ
They are small, smell great and diabetic friendly.
-Jeff
I have a diabetic Shi Tzu and we went through a period where we had trouble managing his blood sugar. Once we eliminate the Greenies, his blood sugar became much more stable.
Is there a dental chew that will clean his teeth but not spike his blood sugar?
John,
Maybe try Beef hide: https://amzn.to/2ukwttc
Or antlers: https://amzn.to/2DWXXEK
Talk to your Vet to make sure your dog can have either.
-Jeff