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Pill Pockets Hickory Smoke Capsule Size Soft Dog Treats
Greenies

Pill Pockets Hickory Smoke Capsule Size Soft Dog Treats

Verified Aug 21, 2026

Dog · Treat Adult All Breed Sizes

These soft, hickory smoke–flavored treats are designed specifically to hide capsules or larger pills for adult dogs. They use chicken as the main ingredient, with a pliable texture that can be molded around medication to make dosing easier and more pleasant for many dogs.

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Over-the-counter No recalls

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Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.5 out of 10

Strong Choice

Nutritionally, this is a reasonably balanced, higher-calorie treat formulated to help you give capsules more easily, not a complete diet. It should work well for most healthy adult dogs who need regular pills, as long as the total treat calories fit into their daily intake. For dogs with wheat, corn, or chicken allergies, you would need a different option.

Calorie and portion clarity 10.0
Ingredient composition 5.5
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 3 of 3 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Digestive Health Appetite Support
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Made with chicken as the first ingredient, which provides a palatable protein base for most dogs.
  • Soft, shapeable texture and built‑in pouch make it practical for hiding capsules and larger pills.
  • Calorie content is clearly stated per treat, which makes it easier to factor into your dog’s daily intake.
  • Uses mixed tocopherols and citric acid as safe, effective preservatives instead of artificial colors beyond caramel color.

Considerations

  • Contains chicken, wheat, wheat gluten, and corn syrup, so it is not suitable for dogs with allergies or intolerances to these ingredients.
  • At about 10 calories per treat, the amount can add up for small or overweight dogs if several pills are given daily.
  • Includes added sugar source (dried corn syrup), so it is best treated as an occasional medication aid, not a regular snack.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken, Glycerin, Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Vegetable Oil, Dried Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Natural Flavor, Vinegar, Natural Hickory Smoke Flavor, Sodium Bisulfate, Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid (preservatives), Rosemary Extract.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
View ingredient
02
Glycerol
Glycerol (glycerin) is used in pet foods primarily as a humectant and sweetening agent to retain moisture, improve texture and palatability, and serve as a solvent or carrier in wet foods, treats, and liquid supplements. It provides a modest source of metabolizable energy for dogs and cats, but in large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset and may affect blood glucose, so products intended for diabetic pets or sensitive animals should be used with caution.
03
Wheat Flour
Wheat flour is commonly used in pet foods as a carbohydrate source, binder and extender that provides digestible energy, some protein (including gluten), and small amounts of fiber and B‑vitamins when enriched. While generally safe and economical for many dogs, it is not a required ingredient for obligate carnivores like cats, can contribute to excess calories or a high glycemic load, and can trigger food allergies or gluten sensitivity in susceptible pets, so animals with known wheat sensitivities or weight concerns may benefit from wheat‑free formulations.
04
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is a concentrated plant protein commonly used in dry pet foods as a protein booster, binder and texture improver to help form kibble and extend meat-based ingredients. It provides digestible protein for dogs and cats but is low in certain essential amino acids (notably lysine) and lacks animal-specific nutrients like taurine, so it should not be the sole protein source; pets with wheat or gluten sensitivities may also experience allergic or gastrointestinal reactions.
05
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil in pet food is used primarily as a concentrated fat source to boost calorie density, improve palatability and texture, and supply essential fatty acids (typically omega‑6 such as linoleic acid) while helping absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins. It can support skin and coat health for dogs and cats, but nutrient profiles vary by oil type and most vegetable oils lack long‑chain omega‑3s and the arachidonic acid cats require; excessive fat can promote weight gain or precipitate pancreatitis in susceptible pets, so source, quality and inclusion level should be considered.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
13.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
9.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
28.00%
Low High
3031
kcal / Kg
10
kcal / Treat
Low
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Soft Chew
Food type Treat

Brand

Greenies is a dental treat brand for dogs and cats under Mars Petcare. It focuses on oral health, offering chews and treats designed to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup and freshen breath. Many Greenies products carry the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance for plaque and/or tartar control, and the brand is frequently recommended by veterinarians for dental care support.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Mars Petcare
Parent company Mars, Incorporated
Founded 1935
Headquarters Brussels, Belgium (global Petcare division); McLean, Virginia, USA (Mars, Incorporated global HQ)
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Missouri
Manufacturing oversight

Mars Petcare operates large-scale manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America with formal quality and food safety systems modeled on human food standards. Facilities follow HACCP-based programs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and are routinely audited for compliance with local regulatory bodies (e.g., FDA and USDA in the U.S., FEDIAF-related standards in Europe). Mars maintains in‑house research and development centers, employs veterinarians and pet nutrition scientists, and conducts digestibility and palatability studies and AAFCO feeding trials for many of its complete-and-balanced diets.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Greenies Pill Pockets Hickory Smoke Capsule Size Soft Dog Treats.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.5 /10 Grade A
Pill Pockets Hickory Smoke Capsule Size Soft Dog Treats
Greenies · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Greenies ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Greenies. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.