Review | Zoe Dental Chews

This has been a week of firsts! Not only did Andy pee like a big boy for the first time the other day, he finally encountered an edible item he does not like! I came across these dental chews from a brand called Zoe, which I had never heard of prior to this purchase, while browsing at T.J. Maxx last week. The brand is manufactured by a Canadian company called Hagen - though the product packaging says the chews themselves are made in the USA (?). I'm not gonna lie...I was drawn to the pretty packaging...but ultimately I decided to buy the dental chews for the following reasons: they're made in the USA, they're wheat/corn/soy-free, and they contain all natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives or dyes. At $4.99 for 8.1 oz of chews (approx. 10 small chews) the Zoe treats seemed like a good deal. There were 2 different kinds available; I picked up the "Antioxidant" ones, which are supposed to "support a healthy immune system."   

The expression on Andy's face in the photo above pretty much sums up his opinion of these chews. His woeful eyes seem to be saying, "Mom, why did you buy these?" The first time I gave him one he sniffed it while it was still in my hand, took it very hesitantly, then laid it in his bed and refused to even look at it. The chews are vanilla mint flavored, so I suspect that had something to do with it. The funny thing is, when I tried to take the chew away Andy refused to let me have it. In fact he grabbed it and ran to the couch, where he proceeded to just look at it for several more minutes, before begrudgingly consuming it. Andy's initial reaction to the chew was enough to make me decide never to purchase them again, but in addition, as he was gnawing on the chew it kept getting stuck to his teeth. He started tipping his head back in an effort to get it loose, at which point I was afraid he would choke, so I intervened and stuck my finger in his mouth to pop the chew loose. What the heck? Needless to say, I won't be purchasing these chews again. Potential buyers...beware.

Review | Zoe Antioxidant Dental Chews
Available online at amazon (and if you can find them at T.J. Maxx, $4.99)

Small Chews | 8.1-Ounce, 10 Chews/Pack | $9.99

Ingredients:
Brown rice flour, organic quinoa flour, vegetable glycerin, water, pea flour, tapioca starch, carrageenan, calcium carbonate, natural chicken
flavor, carrots, apples, chia seed, parsley, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), rosemary, peppermint, vanilla, zinc gluconate, green tea extract
(decaffeinated), mixed tocopherols (preservative).
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min.) 7.0%; Crude Fat (min.) 2.5%; Crude Fiber (max.) 2.0%; Zinc (min.) 228 mg/kg; Moisture (max.) 15.0%; *Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) (min.) 87 mg/kg