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.
- 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. |
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| 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. |
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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.
- 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. |
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Greenies Pill Pockets Allergy Duck and Pea Formula (Discontinued)
- 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. |
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