Are Greenies Safe for Dogs? Lawsuits, Risks & Safe Use

Short answer

For most healthy adult dogs, Greenies are generally considered safe when used as labeled: the right size for the dog's weight, one per day, and under supervision. They hold the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar. The documented risks are choking, blockage if a chew is gulped or too small, and extra calories.^{11, 14, 21}

This page collects published sources: news reports, court dockets, FDA searches, veterinary references and Greenies' own labels. It is an editorial summary, not veterinary advice, and no products were tested. If your dog has a health condition, ask your veterinarian before starting any chew.

Greenies safety timeline, 2005 to today

Greenies safety timeline from news reports, court dockets and manufacturer pages. Sources are numbered and listed below.
When	What happened	Source
2005	Reports of choking and intestinal blockages allegedly linked to Greenies begin to appear.	⁴
Feb 2006	ABC reports an owner who faced a five-figure vet bill after a Greenie lodged in her dog's intestine. The maker, S&M NuTec, says it knows of eight complaints across 700 million treats sold.	¹
Feb 2006	Owners of a miniature dachshund that died sue in federal court in New York (Glass v. S&M Nutec), alleging the treats are "insoluble and indigestible."	^{1, 5}
Mar 2006	FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine confirms 35 complaints (34 dogs, 1 cat) and opens an investigation. Media reports put deaths at "at least 13"; that is a media figure, not an FDA count.	²
2006	The maker updates the label to stress matching size to the dog and preventing gulping. It calls this a "clarification"; FDA did not order it. Mars Inc. buys S&M NuTec the same year.	^{2, 3}
Oct 2006	A new formula launches. The company says it is "easier for dogs to chew and digest" and was in development before the bad press.	³
Apr 2007	A California federal judge denies class-action status in a separate suit, Gartin v. S & M NuTec.	⁷
2007	VOHC lists Canine Greenies as accepted for plaque and tartar.	¹¹
Sep 2007	The Glass case, by then in Kansas City, Missouri, is settled and dismissed. Ten owners from eight states took part; the terms were kept private.	^{6, 4}
2008	A veterinary journal reports 31 cases of esophageal blockage caused by "a dental chew treat," seen between 2000 and 2006. The abstract names no brand.	²¹
2015	Paragon, maker of Whimzees, sues Mars over the "#1 Vet Recommended" claim on the Greenies box. This was an advertising dispute, not a safety case. The docket closed in December 2015; how it ended could not be confirmed.	^{8, 9}
Oct 2026	A search of FDA's recall database for "Greenies" on October 13, 2026 returned no recalls.	¹⁰

What changed after 2006

The record supports three changes. First, a new formula in October 2006, which the company said was easier to chew and digest.³ No primary source lists exactly what changed in the recipe, and secondary sources quote digestibility figures that disagree, so none are repeated here. Second, clearer warnings: instructions and warnings became more visible on the package,⁴ and today's label tells owners to watch the dog until the treat is chewed and warns that "gulping any item can be harmful or even fatal to a dog."¹⁶ Third, a new owner: Mars bought the company in 2006.³ Greenies' current FAQ says the treats are "made of highly soluble ingredients, allowing for easy digestion."¹⁸ That is the manufacturer's claim, and the FAQ cites no study for it.

How to give Greenies more safely

1. Choose the size by weight, using Greenies' own chart:¹³

Greenies Original sizes by dog weight, per greenies.com (accessed October 13, 2026).
Size	Dog's weight
Teenie	5–15 lb (2–7 kg)
Petite	15–25 lb (7–11 kg)
Regular	25–50 lb (11–22 kg)
Large	50–100 lb (22–45 kg)

Greenies does not say which size to pick if your dog sits on a boundary. The ASPCA advises choosing a size that fits both the dog's size and its chewing habits;²³ ask your vet if unsure. The VOHC listing still says "five sizes," but greenies.com currently shows four.^{11, 13} For a dog over 100 lb, ask Greenies or your vet.

Shopping for a size? View on Amazon This is a search link, not a recommendation; check the weight range above first.

2. Respect the minimums. The label says Greenies are not suitable for dogs under 5 lb or under 6 months old.¹⁵ Greenies makes a separate Puppy line and advises waiting until a puppy is about 6 months old.¹⁹

3. One per day. That is the label guideline.¹⁴

4. Watch your dog chew. VOHC advises giving dental chews only when you can watch.¹² The ASPCA says compressed dental chews should be eaten "slow and deliberate," rapid eating should not be allowed, and such chews suit light-to-moderate chewers.²³

5. If your dog gulps, take the chew away before the last piece is small enough to swallow whole, or ask your vet about a different option. In the one published case series, most dental-chew blockages happened in small dogs (26 of 31).²¹

6. Know the warning signs. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists dental chew treats among the things that can lodge in a dog's esophagus; signs include drooling, gagging, trouble swallowing, regurgitation and repeated swallowing.²² If a dog swallows a large chunk, the ASPCA says to consult a vet immediately.²³

Calories: one chew can use up the whole treat allowance

Greenies does not print a separate per-chew calorie count on its product pages. It tells owners how many calories to cut from the main meal for each treat, which is effectively the calories per chew.^{15, 16, 14, 17} The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) advises keeping treats, including chews, under 10% of daily calories.²⁴

Greenies Original kcal per chew (greenies.com) against WSAVA daily treat budgets (kcal/day) for an average healthy adult dog at ideal weight (WSAVA, June 2024).
Size (Original)	kcal per chew	WSAVA treat budget for dogs in this range
Teenie	25 (one page variant says 24)	4 kg / 9 lb: 24; 6 kg / 13 lb: 32
Petite	52	8 kg / 18 lb: 40; 10 kg / 22 lb: 47
Regular	88 (one page variant says 87)	15 kg / 33 lb: 64; 20 kg / 44 lb: 79
Large	142	25 kg / 55 lb: 94; 35 kg / 77 lb: 121; 45 kg / 99 lb: 146

WSAVA's figures are averages; your dog's real needs may differ, so your vet can give an exact number. For many dogs, one Greenie is about the whole day's treat budget, and sometimes more. That is why the label says to cut the main meal by the same calories. Training treats and table scraps add to the total, and a second Greenie usually puts a dog well past the 10% guideline.

Which dogs should skip Greenies or check with a vet first

WSAVA's general advice is that dogs with a medical condition, dietary sensitivities or a vet-prescribed diet may not suit ordinary treats.²⁴ More specifically:

Dogs that gulp, and small dogs. This is the risk with the most evidence behind it.^{16, 21, 23}
Dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs. Retail listings of the Original recipe show wheat flour, wheat gluten, gelatin and poultry flavor;²⁰ check the current bag, because greenies.com shows the ingredient panel only as an image. Wheat and chicken are among the food allergens most often reported in dogs.²⁶ Greenies sells grain-free options.¹⁸ No published study on Greenies and sensitive stomachs was found, so ask your vet.
Dogs with kidney disease. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say phosphorus matters most when choosing treats for these dogs, and suggest a limit per 100 kcal.²⁵ Phosphorus figures were not found in Greenies' product page text,¹⁴ so ask your vet and get numbers from the manufacturer first.
Dogs on a weight-loss plan. See the calorie table. Greenies makes a Weight Management line, which VOHC accepted in 2008;^{11, 13} your vet can say whether it fits your dog's calorie target.
Puppies under 6 months or dogs under 5 lb. The label excludes them.¹⁵

VOHC status: what the seal does and doesn't mean

Canine Greenies have been on the Veterinary Oral Health Council's accepted list since 2007 for plaque and tartar. The Weight Management, Hip and Joint, Grain-Free, Aging Care and Puppy versions are listed too.¹¹ The seal means VOHC reviewed the maker's submitted data and found it met its plaque and tartar standard. It is not a safety rating. VOHC says it "does not test products itself."¹² Browse every accepted chew in the VOHC-accepted dental chews list.

Alternatives to compare

If Greenies do not suit your dog, these pages set out the published data side by side. They do not rank products on safety, because no published source supports such a ranking. For chews in general read Are dental chews safe for dogs?; for a dog with a sensitive stomach, dental chews for sensitive stomachs and allergies. Sizes and calories are on the Greenies Original page.

VOHC-accepted dental chews: every chew with the seal
Greenies vs Whimzees
Dentastix vs Greenies

Frequently asked questions

Is there a lawsuit against Greenies?

A search of court records (CourtListener, October 2026) found no open safety lawsuit. The well-known case, Glass v. S&M Nutec, was filed in 2006 by owners whose dogs were hurt or died, and it settled in September 2007 with confidential terms. In 2015 the maker of Whimzees sued Mars over an advertising claim, in a case whose docket closed in December 2015.

What are the side effects of Greenies for dogs?

The documented risks are choking and blockage of the esophagus or intestine, mostly when a dog gulps a chew or gets one that is too small, as in the published case series. Extra calories and weight gain are the other common concern. If a dog gags, drools, retches or swallows repeatedly after a chew, call your vet.

Do vets actually recommend Greenies?

Greenies calls its treats "veterinarian-recommended," and the original Greenies have held the VOHC seal for plaque and tartar since 2007. The "#1 Vet Recommended" claim on the box carries a narrower footnote and was challenged in court in 2015. Individual vets' opinions vary, so ask your own.

What is the safest dental chew for dogs?

No chew is risk-free. A safer choice carries the VOHC seal, is sized for the dog's weight, is given while you watch, and counts toward WSAVA's 10% treat limit. WSAVA also advises avoiding very hard chews such as antlers and hooves.

Is 2 Greenies a day too much?

The label says one per day. For most dogs a single Greenie already uses about the whole daily treat budget, so a second usually pushes them past it unless your vet has adjusted the diet.

Are Greenies OK for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

No published study on this was found. The Original recipe is reported to contain wheat and poultry ingredients, and Greenies offers grain-free versions. Ask your vet first if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

Are Greenies bad for dogs' kidneys?

No evidence was found that Greenies harm healthy kidneys. For dogs that already have kidney disease, phosphorus is the main concern with treats, and Greenies does not publish phosphorus on its product pages. Ask your vet before giving them.

Are Greenies digestible for dogs?

Greenies says its treats are made of "highly soluble ingredients" for easy digestion. The 2006 lawsuits alleged the opposite about the earlier formula, and no independent, published digestibility study of the current recipe was found.

Do Greenies cause cancer in dogs?

Owners discuss this online, but a search of the veterinary literature and FDA recall records found no study or advisory linking Greenies to cancer. That does not prove there is no link, only that no published evidence for one was found.

Are Greenies high in calories?

They are moderate per chew but high compared with a dog's treat budget. Teenie is about 25 kcal, Petite 52, Regular 88 and Large 142, and the label says to cut the main meal by the same amount.

Sources

ABC News (Good Morning America): Greenies Could Endanger Your Dog (Feb 17, 2006), accessed October 13, 2026.
dvm360: FDA investigates adverse events tied to Greenies; maker changes label (Apr 1, 2006), accessed October 13, 2026.
MediaPost: Controversial Greenies Dog Treats Get a Makeover (Oct 18, 2006), accessed October 13, 2026.
BayWoof: News from Near and Far (Nov 2007), accessed October 13, 2026.
CourtListener (Free Law Project): Glass v. S&M Nutec, LLC, S.D.N.Y. 7:06-cv-01534, docket index (filed Feb 24, 2006), accessed October 13, 2026.
CourtListener (Free Law Project): Glass v. S&M Nutec, LLC, W.D. Mo. 4:06-cv-00853, docket index (Oct 2006 to Sep 17, 2007), accessed October 13, 2026.
CourtListener (Free Law Project): Gartin v. S & M NuTec LLC, 245 F.R.D. 429 (C.D. Cal.) (Apr 4, 2007), accessed October 13, 2026.
Pet Food Safety News: Mars sued over Greenies "#1 Vet Recommended" claim (Jul 23, 2015), accessed October 13, 2026.
CourtListener (Free Law Project): Paragon Pet Products Europe B.V. v. Mars, Inc., S.D.N.Y. 1:15-cv-05520, docket index (Jul to Dec 2015), accessed October 13, 2026.
U.S. FDA: Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts (search for "greenies") (searched Oct 13, 2026), accessed October 13, 2026.
Veterinary Oral Health Council: Accepted products (live list), accessed October 13, 2026.
Veterinary Oral Health Council: VOHC home page (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): Which GREENIES dental treat is right for my dog? (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): Adult dental dog treats, Regular size, Original (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): Adult dental dog treats, Teenie size, Original (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): Adult dental dog treats, Petite size, Original (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): Adult dental dog treats, Large size, Original (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): Frequently asked questions / product support guide (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Greenies (Mars Petcare): When can I start giving my puppy dental treats? (live page), accessed October 13, 2026.
Blain's Farm & Fleet: Greenies 60-count Original Petite dog dental treats listing (not linked), accessed October 13, 2026. Retailer listing for ingredients; no price or rating used.
J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(7):1021-1025, via Europe PMC: Leib MS, Sartor LL. Esophageal foreign body obstruction caused by a dental chew treat in 31 dogs (2000-2006) (Apr 1, 2008), accessed October 13, 2026.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Small Animals (updated Sep 2024), accessed October 13, 2026.
ASPCA: Position Statement on Dog Chews/Treats (undated), accessed October 13, 2026.
World Small Animal Veterinary Association: Feeding treats to your dog (Jun 2024), accessed October 13, 2026.
Tufts Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, Petfoodology: What Treats Can I Give My Dog With Kidney Disease? (May 23, 2018), accessed October 13, 2026.
BMC Veterinary Research (Mueller et al.), via Europe PMC: Common food allergen sources in dogs and cats (Jan 2016), accessed October 13, 2026.
Europe PMC: Search "greenies AND (dog OR canine)" (searched Oct 13, 2026), accessed October 13, 2026.

Prepared by the DentalDogTreats editorial team from the sources above. This is not veterinary advice; ask your veterinarian about your dog's teeth. See how we compare and the affiliate disclosure.