Greenies Lawsuit: Full History, Two Confirmed Settlements, and the Real 2026 Status
The greenies lawsuit refers to two separate, confirmed class action lawsuits against the makers of Greenies dog dental chews, both alleging that the treats caused intestinal blockages, choking, and deaths in dogs. The first case settled confidentially in September 2007 after U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner approved the agreement, resolving claims tied to close to a dozen reported pet deaths from the original pre-2006 formulation. The second case settled in August 2024, covering incidents alleged to have occurred after Mars Petcare’s 2006 product reformulation. Both settlements are confirmed and closed. As of June 2026, no new certified class action against Mars Petcare specifically targeting Greenies dental chews has been confirmed in any verified court record, despite some websites currently describing active 2026 litigation with new filings and ongoing discovery.
What Are Greenies and How Did the Concerns Begin?
Greenies are toothbrush-shaped, green-colored dog dental chews originally created and marketed by a company called S&M NuTec. The treats were designed to clean dogs’ teeth and freshen breath while marketed as highly digestible. They carried the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal, commonly known as VOHC, which gave many pet owners confidence in the product’s safety and effectiveness.
By 2005, Greenies had become one of the best-selling dog treats in the country, with annual sales reaching $340 million. That same year, individual veterinarians across the country began reporting an unusual pattern: dogs arriving with gastrointestinal blockages traced specifically to partially digested Greenies treats. The treats, marketed as completely digestible, were not breaking down in the digestive tract the way the company claimed, particularly when dogs swallowed large chunks without fully chewing them.
The first individual lawsuit came in November 2005, when Michael Eastwood and Jenny Reiff filed a $5 million lawsuit in New York after their Miniature Dachshund, Burt, died following emergency surgery connected to a Greenies-related blockage. This individual case was among the earliest legal actions that drew broader public and media attention to the growing pattern of veterinary reports.
During a February 2006 teleconference, Greenies founder Joe Roetheli publicly acknowledged that the company had financially compensated or reimbursed veterinary expenses connected to no more than 20 fatalities allegedly tied to the treats up to that point. The company maintained that the incident rate was approximately one in 8.1 million units sold, framing the issue as statistically rare. For the families who had lost pets, this statistical framing offered little comfort, and the contrast between the company’s commercial success and the documented pet deaths created sustained public scrutiny throughout 2006.
The First Settlement: September 2007
The first confirmed greenies lawsuit was a class action consolidating claims from pet owners across the country alleging that Greenies dental chews injured or killed close to a dozen dogs. The case was filed in federal court and proceeded toward trial before the parties reached a negotiated resolution.
In September 2007, U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner approved a joint request to dismiss the case following the settlement agreement reached between the plaintiffs and the makers of Greenies. The specific financial terms of the settlement were kept confidential, which is common practice in class action settlements of this type. Mars Petcare, which had acquired the Greenies brand in the middle of the litigation, neither admitted fault nor conceded that the original product was unsafe as part of the resolution.
The settlement’s most significant outcome was not the confidential financial terms but the operational and product changes that resulted from it. Mars Petcare committed to a substantial product reformulation, updated packaging with clearer size guidance and supervision warnings, and ongoing digestibility testing protocols going forward.
The 2006 Reformulation: What Actually Changed
Separate from but closely tied to the 2007 settlement, Mars Petcare implemented a significant reformulation of the Greenies product after acquiring the brand in 2006.
Global pet scientists at Mars Petcare implemented rigorous digestive solubility testing protocols and adjusted the product’s formulation specifically to improve how the treats broke down in dogs’ digestive systems. These were not superficial cosmetic changes. They represented a fundamental shift in both the manufacturing process and the underlying chemistry of how the treats were designed to dissolve once swallowed.
Packaging changes accompanied the formulation update. Product warnings about supervision during chewing were made more prominent, and size guides were added to help pet owners select the correct treat size based on their dog’s breed and weight, addressing one of the documented risk factors in the original blockage cases: dogs being given treats sized inappropriately for their body size and chewing behavior.
The Second Settlement: August 2024
A second, separate class action lawsuit against Mars Petcare specifically covering Greenies was confirmed settled in August 2024. This case covered incidents that allegedly occurred after the 2006 reformulation took effect, meaning it addressed claims arising from the supposedly improved, post-reformulation version of the product rather than the original pre-2006 formula covered by the 2007 settlement.
The existence and confirmation of this second settlement is a significant fact for anyone researching the greenies lawsuit topic, because it demonstrates that the 2006 reformulation, while a genuine and substantial improvement, did not eliminate all risk of digestive complications from the product. The August 2024 settlement confirmed that adverse incidents continued to occur, at some rate, even with the improved formulation in place.
Specific financial terms and the precise scope of incidents covered by the August 2024 settlement have not been comprehensively detailed in publicly available reporting reviewed for this article. What is consistently confirmed across multiple sources is that this second settlement occurred, that it specifically addressed post-2006 reformulation incidents, and that it closed in 2024.
Is There an Active Greenies Lawsuit in 2026?
This is the most important and most commonly misunderstood question for anyone searching the greenies lawsuit topic in 2026.
Some websites currently describe an active, ongoing class action against Mars Petcare in 2026, citing new claims being filed, mounting legal pressure, expert witness testimony from veterinary pathologists, and discovery proceedings producing internal Mars Petcare documents. These descriptions are not corroborated by any verified court record, case number, presiding judge, or court docket entry identified through a thorough review of available sources.
What is consistently and reliably confirmed across multiple independent sources is the history of two settled cases: the original case settled in September 2007 and the second case covering post-reformulation incidents settled in August 2024. No source reviewed for this article provides a verified case number, court name, or docket entry for any new Greenies-specific class action filed or pending in 2025 or 2026.
Given this discrepancy, the responsible position is that consumers should treat claims of an actively open, unresolved 2026 Greenies litigation with significant skepticism, particularly any website encouraging immediate claim filing, citing specific payout ranges, or suggesting urgent deadlines, unless that website links directly to a verified court order, official settlement administrator notice, or confirmable docket entry.
If you have a current claim regarding a Greenies-related injury to your dog, the appropriate path is direct consultation with a product liability or pet injury attorney, who can verify the current state of any litigation and advise you on individual claim options, rather than relying on unverified website content describing an active class action settlement process.
How the FDA Complaint Record Connects to This History
Separate from the two confirmed lawsuit settlements, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine maintains a complaint reporting system through which pet owners and veterinarians can submit adverse event reports related to pet food and treat products, including dental chews.
Reports describing over 3,000 cumulative consumer complaints related to Greenies injuries and deaths submitted to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine between 2003 and the present day reflect the long tail of consumer-reported incidents connected to this product category over more than two decades. It is important to understand that an FDA complaint submission is not the same as a confirmed, verified, investigated case, and the FDA complaint database reflects reports rather than adjudicated findings of causation. However, the volume of reports over this extended period is consistent with the broader pattern of digestibility and choking concerns that drove both the 2007 and 2024 settlements.
Does the Reformulation Make Greenies Safe Today?
Veterinary opinion on the current safety profile of Greenies dental chews remains genuinely divided, even accounting for the documented reformulation and the digestibility testing Mars Petcare conducted following its 2006 acquisition of the brand.
The reformulated product is, based on the digestibility testing Mars Petcare has conducted, measurably safer than the original pre-2006 formulation. This conclusion is supported by the nature of the formulation changes and the testing protocols implemented. However, the existence of a second confirmed settlement covering post-reformulation incidents in August 2024 demonstrates that the reformulation did not eliminate risk entirely.
Veterinary risk assessment for any individual dog generally depends on several specific factors. Dogs that chew slowly and thoroughly rather than attempting to swallow large pieces present meaningfully lower risk than dogs that gulp food and treats quickly. Dogs within the standard, manufacturer-recommended weight range for the specific treat size purchased present lower risk than dogs given a treat size mismatched to their body size, a known risk factor from the original cases that the post-2006 packaging changes were specifically designed to address. Dogs without a history of wheat sensitivity or prior digestive surgery generally present lower baseline risk for complications.
Conversely, dogs that inhale food rather than chewing deliberately, small or toy breeds, dogs with sensitive digestive systems, and dogs with any history of digestive surgery represent a meaningfully different risk calculation. For these dogs, veterinary caution about dental chew products generally, not specifically limited to Greenies, is commonly recommended.
Symptoms of a Dental Chew-Related Blockage: What to Watch For
Whether your dog has eaten Greenies or any other dental chew product, recognizing the symptoms of a potential gastrointestinal blockage is critical because these situations can become life-threatening quickly without prompt veterinary intervention.
Repeated vomiting, particularly vomiting that continues over several hours or recurs after attempts to eat or drink, is one of the most common early signs of an obstruction. Loss of appetite combined with visible discomfort or restlessness is another significant warning sign. Lethargy or unusual withdrawal from normal activity, particularly when combined with any of the other symptoms listed here, warrants prompt veterinary attention.
Visible abdominal pain, which may present as a hunched posture, reluctance to be touched around the abdomen, or whimpering when picked up, is a serious symptom requiring immediate evaluation. Straining without producing stool, or producing only small amounts of stool despite visible straining, can indicate a blockage further along the digestive tract.
Difficulty breathing or visible choking immediately after consuming a treat is an acute emergency requiring immediate action, separate from the slower-developing symptoms of an internal blockage that may not become apparent for hours or days after a dog swallows a large piece of any chew product.
If you observe any combination of these symptoms after your dog has consumed a dental chew of any brand, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Gastrointestinal blockages in dogs frequently require surgical intervention, and the timeline between symptom onset and the point where surgery becomes necessary can be short.
What to Do If Your Dog Was Injured by a Dental Chew Product
If your dog has experienced a documented injury, surgery, or death that you believe was caused by Greenies or any other dental chew product, take the following steps.
Seek immediate veterinary care first, before any other consideration. Your dog’s health and survival takes priority over any documentation or legal process.
Preserve all veterinary records connected to the incident, including the initial examination notes, any imaging such as X-rays showing the obstruction, surgical records if surgery was required, and the final invoice documenting all costs incurred. These records establish the medical and financial foundation for any subsequent legal claim.
Preserve the product packaging if you still have it, including any remaining treats from the same package, the lot number printed on the packaging, and the purchase receipt if available. The specific product, formulation, and lot are relevant to any product liability evaluation.
Photograph the product if you still have any of the treats from the same batch, particularly if you observed unusual characteristics such as treats that did not appear to be breaking down as expected during normal chewing.
Report the incident to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine through their consumer complaint reporting system. This contributes to the federal regulatory record of adverse events connected to the product, separate from and in addition to any legal action you may pursue.
Consult a product liability or veterinary malpractice attorney with experience handling pet injury cases. Given that no verified active class action specific to Greenies has been confirmed as of June 2026, an individual consultation is the appropriate path to understand your specific legal options based on the current state of any relevant litigation and the facts of your particular case.
Greenies Beyond the United States
Greenies are distributed internationally through Mars Petcare’s global distribution network, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and across the European Union. Pet owners in these international markets have reported adverse events through their respective local veterinary reporting systems, though no equivalent multi-party class action lawsuit has been confirmed to have reached settlement status outside the United States during the primary litigation period covered by the two confirmed U.S. settlements.
This means that pet owners outside the United States experiencing a suspected Greenies-related injury should consult their local veterinary authorities and consumer protection regulators directly, as the U.S. litigation history and settlements do not extend to or cover incidents occurring outside U.S. jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the greenies lawsuit?
It refers to two confirmed, separate class action lawsuits against the makers of Greenies dog dental chews. The first settled in September 2007, approved by U.S. District Judge Gary Fenner, covering injuries and deaths tied to the original pre-2006 formulation. The second settled in August 2024, covering incidents alleged to have occurred after the 2006 product reformulation.
Is there an active Greenies class action lawsuit right now in 2026?
No verified active class action specific to Greenies has been confirmed in any court record as of June 2026. Some websites describe ongoing 2026 litigation, but these claims are not corroborated by any identifiable case number, court, or docket entry. The two confirmed settlements, 2007 and August 2024, are both closed.
Did Mars Petcare admit Greenies were unsafe?
No. In both confirmed settlements, Mars Petcare and the original Greenies manufacturer resolved the claims without admitting fault or conceding that the products were unsafe, which is standard in class action settlements of this type.
Are Greenies safe to give my dog today?
The 2006 reformulation and subsequent digestibility testing produced a measurably safer product than the original formula. However, the confirmed August 2024 settlement shows that risk was not eliminated entirely. Risk varies significantly based on your dog’s chewing behavior, size relative to the treat purchased, and digestive health history. Consult your veterinarian about whether dental chews are appropriate for your specific dog.
What should I do if my dog got sick after eating Greenies?
Seek immediate veterinary care first. Then preserve veterinary records, the product packaging and lot number, and report the incident to the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. Consult a product liability attorney experienced in pet injury cases to evaluate your individual options.
What symptoms indicate a dental chew caused a blockage?
Watch for repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, visible abdominal pain, straining without producing stool, and difficulty breathing or choking. Any combination of these symptoms after consuming a dental chew warrants immediate veterinary attention.
Final Word
The greenies lawsuit history reflects two genuine, confirmed legal resolutions spanning nearly two decades, a 2007 settlement addressing the original product’s documented risks and a 2024 settlement confirming that even the reformulated product was not entirely free of risk. What does not exist, despite some online claims, is a verified active class action in 2026. The responsible approach for any pet owner concerned about Greenies or any dental chew product is to focus on the documented safety factors that actually affect risk: your dog’s chewing behavior, appropriate treat sizing, and prompt veterinary attention if any symptoms of a blockage appear, rather than relying on unverified claims about ongoing litigation.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or veterinary advice. Consult a licensed veterinarian for guidance on your pet’s specific health needs and a licensed attorney for guidance on any legal claim.