Alternatives to Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Formula

Greenies, the makers of Pill Pockets, recently announced the discontinuation of Pill Pockets Allergy Formula aka Grain-Free Duck and Pea Formula. At this time, they have not made a formal announcement with plans to replace this product. This leaves many owners of pets with food allergies, intolerances, and special dietary requirements, are searching for the best replacement. We compared other pill pockets treats to find an appropriate substitution.

How Do You Compare to Pill Pockets Allergy?

Because Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Formula was widely used for dogs and cats with food allergies, intolerances, and special diets, we first took a look first at the ingredient lists of multiple products that we carry at our pharmacy. We identified protein sources, carbohydrate sources, flavors, starch or thickeners, and animal by-product ingredients. Next, we took a look at the guaranteed analysis or nutrient profile, which lists the amount of protein, fat, fiber, and calorie content.

Tricky Treats™ by Pala-Tech™

Label to label, one of the most comparable product to Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Formula is Tricky Treats Grilled Duck. And Tricky Treats Roasted Chicken is a very close tie. What makes them similar? To start, Tricky Treats contain duck as a novel protein, much like Pill Pockets. In both the Tricky Treats duck and chicken formulas, the animal proteins have been hydrolyzed, or broken down, into very small particle sizes, 3,500 Daltons to be exact. Hydrolysis is a process that uses water to chemically break proteins into pieces that are so small that the immune system no longer reacts to them. This process is also used in common therapeutic pet foods such as Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary HF Hydrolyzed Food for dogs and cats, Hills Prescription Diets z/d, Royal Canin Veterinary Diets PS or HA, and Purina ProPlan HP Veterinary Diets.

Also, Tricky Treats do not contain corn, wheat, or soy in either formula; and like Pill Pockets Allergy, they contain a natural smoke flavor.

What Makes Tricky Treats Unique?

Tricky Treats not only have allergy conscious ingredients but also function well as a pill hiding agent. Pala-Tech states the “proprietary blend of natural ingredients provides an excellent mouth-feel, texture and aroma providing a healthy, tasty, and easy to swallow treat. This prevents the pet from biting into the bitter-tasting medication and spitting it out.” Also, Tricky Treats are wrapped in pairs to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out.

Tricky Treats at VetRxDirect
  • Grilled duck formula contains a novel protein
  • Hydrolyzed duck and chicken proteins
  • Natural smoke flavor
  • Low calorie level
  • Low sodium level
  • Highly palatable

 

 

Ingredients

Guaranteed Analysis

Barley Flour, Hydrolyzed Duck, Vegetable Glycerin, Cane Molasses, Whey Protein, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavors, Rosemary Extract, Xanthan Gum, Yeast Extract & Primary Dried Yeast (MOS MAX®), Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols.
  • Crude Protein (min.): 10.0%
  • Crude Fat (min.): 8.0%
  • Crude Fiber (max.): 1.0%
  • Moisture (max.): 23.0%
  • Calorie content: 17 kcal/treat
   
Barley Flour, Hydrolyzed Chicken, Vegetable Glycerin, Cane Molasses, Whey Protein, Vegetable Oil, Natural Flavors, Rosemary Extract, Xanthan Gum, Yeast Extract & Primary Dried Yeast (MOS MAX®), Citric Acid and Mixed Tocopherols.
  • Crude Protein (min.): 10.0%
  • Crude Fat (min.): 8.0%
  • Crude Fiber (max.): 1.0%
  • Moisture (max.): 23.0%
  • Calorie content: 17 kcal/treat

 

Wonderbars by Animal Pharmaceuticals

Another equal comparison to Pill Pockets Allergy Formula is Wonderbars by Animal Pharmaceuticals. What makes them wonderful?  First off, Wonderbars do not contain animal proteins or any animal-based ingredients. They also contain synthetic cheese and bacon flavors and contain rice and tapioca starch as the carbohydrate sources. Also, Wonderbars do not contain corn, wheat, gluten, or soy. These allergy conscious treats are also suitable for pets with dietary restrictions, because of their zero-sodium and low calorie content.

What Makes Wonderbars Wonderfully Unique?

Animal Pharmaceutical Wonderbars are cleverly designed, shapeable soft treats that can be molded around any pill, making it easy to give pets their prescribed medications or supplements.

Wonderbars at VetRxDirect
  • Synthetic Flavors
  • No animal ingredients
  • Tapioca starch
  • No sodium
  • Low calories
  • Easily molds around pills

 

 

Ingredients

Guaranteed Analysis

Rice, Synthetic Cheese Flavor, Lecithin, Glycerin, Dextrose, Starch, Water, Sorbic Acid, Carrageenan Gum, CaPlcium Propionate, Synthetic Bacon Flavor, Dl-alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Ascorbic Acid Safflower Oil.
  • Crude Protein (Minimum) 12%
  • Crude Fat (Minimum) 2%
  • Crude Fiber (Maximum) 3%
  • Moisture (Maximum) 10%
  • Calorie Content: 44Kcal per chew
   

 

Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Duck and Pea Formula (Discontinued)

Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Formula

  • Rehydrated duck as a novel protein
  • Contains pea as a plant protein
  • Natural smoke flavor
  • Discontinued

 

 

 

Ingredients

Guaranteed Analysis

Rehydrated Duck, Glycerin, Ground Peas, Natural Flavors, Pea Protein, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Bisulfate, Water, Dried Cultured Skim Milk, Xanthan Gum, Smoke Flavor, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols.
  • Crude Protein (min.): 12.0%
  • Crude Fat (min.): 8.5%
  • Crude Fiber (max.): 1.0%
  • Moisture (max.): 32.0%
  • Calorie content: 20 kcal/treat

 

Tips for Hiding Pills from Pets

Tips & Tricks for Hiding Pills

Do you want to take the difficulty out of giving pets pills? Does your pet make a fuss out of eating their medicine? I have personally had issues giving my dog her medicine if its not a flavored, chewable tablet. Some capsules can be sprinkled onto dog food, but it doesnt always cover up the taste of the medicine. I have searched for a better way to get her to take those pesky pills. I have now found solutions to getting the medicine into my dog: Kinn products and Greenies Pill Pockets. We carry the Kinn and Greenies product lines because we believe these products are truly the best. The Greenies line is a trusted source for all pet treats, and the Kinn products allow you to make custom pet treats with your own recipes to hide their medications, including any compounded medications.

Pill Concealment Products for Hiding Pills

Pill Pockets by Greenies:

Greenies has formulated an easy way to give your pets medications by putting them into a hollowed out tasty treat. There are many different flavors for cats and dogs Pill Pockets, and are even available in formulations with real meat! There is also an allergy formula for the more sensitive pets. Pill Pockets come in capsule or tablet sizes for convenient use. To use Pill Pockets, you just have to place the pill inside the hole in the treat, then close the open end by pinching it with your fingers. The treat is then ready for your pets happy eating!

Kudose Pill Concealer by Kinn:

The Kudose pill concealer is a top of the line product for making pills into treats. In a few minutes, you can hide your pets medications into a custom-made treat they will beg to have. You have the power to decide what ingredients are in your pets treats with the Kudose pill concealer. You can make the treats organic, natural, low fat, or grain free! You can make the treats with or without medications. The treat recipe you choose is placed into the bottle, and you then place a Kudose Kapsule (the capsules made for the pill concealer) into the bottom. You can either add a pill into the capsule before filling it with your delicious treat recipe and hide your pets pills, or you can simply fill it with all treat filling. This product is a great way to eliminate preservatives, fillers, and additives from your pets treats, while ensuring your pet gets their full dose of medicine. You can also reduce the anxiety of medicine time with your pet and make them excited about getting a treat. Kinn believes in their products and even offers a 100% money back guarantee if you decide its not for you and your pet. To show you how the Kudose pill concealer is used, we’ve have provided a 50 second video:

Krocodile Pill Splitter and Crusher by Kinn:

If your pet has to take part of a pill or have their medication crushed into their food, you know how frustrating it can be. Inexpensive human pill splitters wear out easily and arent always good for the large pills some dogs have to take. Kinn has brought a pill splitter and crusher into one quality device. The Krocodile pill splitter and crusher allows you to split tablets easily. This pet piller is strong enough for you to step on if you have troubles with your hands. You can also use the Krocodile Kroc Bellys, which are small baggies for you to place the pills in before you crush them. This is a great way to reduce contamination between your different pets pills and it ensures your pet receives their full dose of medication. Below is a video about Kinn Krocodile:

Kase Pill Dispenser by Kinn:

My husband and I camp during the summer and taking our dogs medications with us can be a hassle. The Kase pill dispenser can resolve issues of traveling with pet medications and with giving medications on the go! The Kase pill dispenser is a small metal device which holds six treats or pills with an easy to load and release design. The Kase pill dispenser allows you to get the treat or medication out easily and with one hand. This makes giving pet medications easier when youre on the go, have arthritis, or have general difficulty with your hands. The Kase pill dispenser also protects your pets costly medications from being damaged from breaking during travel. The video below shows how convenient the Kase pill dispenser is to use:

Have you used Pill Pockets or any of the Kinn products to help give your pet pills? Please leave a reply below or jump on over to a product page at VetRxDirect Pet Pharamcy and leave us a product review. We love to hear how products are working directly from pet parents. Thank you.