December 6, 2012

Greenies Pill Pockets For Cats – 100% Natural? The Bag Says It, So It Must Be True, Right?

I was just looking at the ingredients for Greenies pill pockets for dogs and cats. I have to say I was pretty shocked at the ingredients and how awful they…

I was just looking at the ingredients for Greenies pill pockets for dogs and cats. I have to say I was pretty shocked at the ingredients and how awful they are. However, I am even more shocked on the claim that the Feline Greenies Pill Pockets are made with All Natural Ingredients.

First let's look at Feline Greenies Pill Pockets http://www.greenies.com/cats.aspx#/products/cat-pill-pockets) The site says 100% All Natural Ingredients!!! Great! I'm sold, right? Not so fast.

Here it is straight from their website –

FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats are 100% all natural tasty treats with a built-in pouch — ideal for hiding a tablet, capsule or liquid medication — so that most cats don’t even notice there’s medicine inside. They’re the #1 veterinarian-recommended choice for giving pills.*

* Data on File, The Nutro Company 2012.

100% ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS

Made with real chicken or natural salmon protein, FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats are a nutritious and healthier alternative to the commonly used human foods (cheese, tuna, etc.), as they contain fewer calories and less fat and sodium.

Here is the ingredient list (from http://www.greenies.com/faq/cats/cat-pill-pockets.aspx)

FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats with real Chicken

Chicken, glycerin, wheat flour, natural flavors, dried corn syrup, corn flour, wheat gluten, chicken liver meal, vegetable oil, lecithin, brewers dried yeast, preserved with potassium sorbate, methylcellulose, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), preserved with mixed tocopherols, vitamin E supplement.

FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats with natural Salmon flavor

Chicken, glycerin, wheat flour, salmon meal (source of salmon flavor), natural flavors, dried corn syrup, corn flour, wheat gluten, vegetable oil, water, lecithin, brewers dried yeast, preserved with potassium sorbate, salt, methylcellulose, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), preserved with mixed tocopherols, vitamin E supplement.

FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats, roasted Duck and Pea formula:

Duck, Glycerin, Dried Peas, Natural flavors, Vegetable oil, Water, Salt, Potassium Sorbate (to preserve freshness), Xantham Gum, Citric Acid, preserved with Mixed tocopherols (a source of Vitamin E.)

At first glance I already see a lot of bad ingredients – wheats, sugars, corns and glutens (all ingredients you don't want your cats to eat) however they are stating these treats contain 100% Natural Ingredients so let's get back to that. If you scroll down past the ingredient list they answer their question…..

Are FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats all natural?

No. We take great pride in the ingredients we use and everywhere possible we use natural ingredients. FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats do contain potassium sorbate which is a synthetic preservative used to preserve freshness, and methylcellulose, a food grade ingredient used to provide texture to the pocket. Additionally, vitamins are often not considered "natural" in accordance with Association of American Feed Control Officials, but we are searching for alternative "natural" ingredients to supply essential vitamins. FELINE GREENIES^® PILL POCKETS^® Treats are designed to be fed as a treat and not consumed as a food substitute. If a cat has dietary restrictions, always check with a veterinary professional before feeding any new product.

Did you see it? Potassium sorbate and methylcelloluse are NOT NATURAL!!!! They do try and dress up the word potassium sorbate here on the cat side for the cat people, but on the dog side they say it like it is (http://www.greenies.com/faq/dogs/pill-pockets.aspx) A Mold Inhibitor. Now why would this product need a mold inhibitor? Because of the corn and that there have been so many issues and recalls with aflatoxins. Why on earth would you even want to feed your cat this? Please don't say because he or she likes it because you are the boss and you want your loved one to be with you as long as possible.

Moral of the story? Don't believe everything you read. You're in charge of making sure your cat or dog stays healthy. This is not a product I would recommend for any dog or cat. The package makes you believe the ingredients are all natural and they are not.

SHOP FOR PILL POCKET ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUR CAT.

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