Dog owners are always on the hunt for safe, durable chews to keep their four-legged friends busy. Bully sticks have become a popular option. These odor-free treats offer dogs long-lasting enjoyment.
What Are Bully Sticks?
Bully sticks, also known as pizzle sticks, are made from bull or steer penises. After collection, they go through a cleaning, drying and smoking process. This gives them their characteristic look, smell and texture. Bully sticks can come in sizes ranging from 6 to 12 inches long. Their high protein content keeps dogs engaged for 30 minutes or longer.
Benefits of Bully Sticks
Bully sticks have quite a few advantages over more traditional rawhide chews. First, they don’t splinter easily, reducing any choking hazard. Owners also don’t have to worry about blockages forming in the digestive tract if pieces are swallowed.
Since bully sticks are single-ingredient treats, there are no mystery meat ingredients for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. They’re even low-odor and can be given indoors. Bully sticks are also highly digestible, with protein levels exceeding 60 percent.
Bully Sticks Support Dental Health
The abrasive surface of these chews gently scrapes away built-up tartar and plaque. This reduces gum inflammation and bad breath. Their texture also satisfies a dog’s innate need to chomp. All that chewing strengthens jaws while keeping destructive tendencies at bay.
Most dogs will gnaw on a bully stick until it’s gone. Pet owners can also replenish with a new stick once it becomes too small to avoid accidental swallowing.
Going With Natural Bully Sticks
For maximum safety and digestibility, it’s best to choose bully sticks free of preservatives, hormones and antibiotics. Look for ones sourced from free-range, grass-fed cattle raised without steroids or other drugs. These higher quality options digest easier.
Bully Sticks for Puppies
Puppies shouldn’t be given bully sticks until they’re done teething, usually around six months old. Their incoming adult teeth may get damaged from too much gnawing. Smaller chews also present more of a choking risk. But once past the teething stage, puppies benefit just as much from these tasty treats.
Monitor Your Dog’s Chewing
It’s normal for bully sticks to soften and gradually decrease in size during active chewing sessions. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog anytime they’re enjoying one of these popular chews. Take the remainder away once it reaches roughly two or three inches long. This helps avoid the possibility of choking from attempting to swallow too large a piece. For power chewers making quick work of these tasty treats, pet-safe chew holders allow owners to get the most value from each stick.
Bully Sticks Provide Mental Stimulation
In addition to dental benefits, bully sticks give dogs an engaging activity that challenges their problem-solving skills. The process of working away at the chew provides mental stimulation. This taps into their natural foraging instincts triggered by having to manipulate the stick into the best position for gnawing.
Owners may notice their dogs seem calmer and more relaxed after a good chew session. Expending pent-up energy on a tasty bully stick can result in less anxiety and boredom-related behaviors like digging or barking. Dogs who enjoy bully sticks are often more content to chill out rather than act out.
Monitoring For Safe Consumption
Since bully sticks are highly valued items to dogs, some may gulp them down once they become about 3 inches long. Pet owners should always separate their dog from the remainders to prevent choking. For particularly speedy chewers, consider purchasing a bully stick holder.
These handy devices allow owners to insert each end of the stick into opposite ends of the holder. As the chew diminishes in size, it remains anchored in a vertical position for safer gnawing down to the last bit. Bully stick holders are perfect for keeping energetic pups from bolting off with their prize, too.
Storing Bully Sticks Properly
To retain maximum freshness and texture, bully sticks are best stored in sealed bags in a cool, dry spot. The refrigerator works well, but they can also be kept in a sealed container in the pantry. Bully sticks may arrive vacuum packed with a strong smoked meat scent at first. Letting them air out for 10-15 minutes typically reduces excess odors substantially. Proper storage prevents them from drying out or losing their appeal.
Buying Bully Sticks in Bulk
Devoted bully stick fans will want to stock up, as the average lifespan per stick ranges from 30-60 minutes for an average chewer. Purchasing 10 or more at once can mean big savings compared to buying individually. Reputable pet supply retailers offer bulk boxes of best-selling bully stick brands.
Opt for ones sourced from free-range cattle without unnecessary additives. Take advantage of subscription delivery services to ensure a fresh supply is always on hand. With the right storage conditions, bully sticks stay fresh for 1-2 years.
Choosing the Right Size
Bully sticks come in a variety of thickness levels and lengths. Thicker sticks generally last a bit longer. Customers can also choose between 6, 8, 10 or 12 inch lengths. Longer sticks allow for more holding and chewing time. They also give pet owners more management control.
The thickness and size combinations allow pet owners to select an appropriate match for their dog’s chewing capabilities. Giant breed puppies still mastering coordination may do better starting with softer, slimmer sticks. Smaller adult dogs make quicker work of slim sticks, while larger dogs appreciate a hearty challenge they can really sink their teeth into.
Key Takeaways:
- Bully sticks are made from dried bull or steer penises and provide long-lasting chewing enjoyment.
- Their high protein content and abrasive texture keeps dogs busy while supporting dental health.
- Bully sticks don’t splinter easily like rawhides, reducing choking hazards.
- Single-ingredient bully sticks avoid mystery meats that may trigger allergies or sensitivities.
- For safety, bully sticks shouldn’t be given to puppies until after their adult teeth come in around 6 months.
- Monitor your dog’s chewing and take away any remaining small pieces to avoid accidental swallowing.
- Opt for additive-free, fully digestible bully sticks from grass-fed, free-range cattle.
Are bully sticks safe for my dog?
Bully sticks are generally very safe for dogs. They don’t splinter like some wood chews or pose an obstruction threat like rawhide. Since they’re single-ingredient, there’s little risk of food allergies. Simply monitor your dog whenever they enjoy one. Remove small pieces to prevent choking, don’t give them to very young puppies, and set limits so these high-value treats aren’t overconsumed. As long as you supervise chewing sessions and offer an appropriate size for your dog, bully sticks make for tasty, long-lasting chews they’ll love.
How do I get the strong smell off bully sticks when I first get them?
It’s common for vacuum-packed bully sticks to have a strong smoked meat smell at first. This can seem overpowering when you first open a pack. Luckily there’s an easy remedy. Simply remove the sticks from packaging and allow them to air out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. The scent should reduce to more tolerable levels. If not, try chilling the bully sticks overnight in the fridge, then letting them sit out again before serving. You don’t want to wash off the appetizing odor completely, just tone it down for in-home chewing sessions.
Will bully sticks hurt my dog’s teeth?
Most adult dogs can chew away on single-ingredient bully sticks without damaging their teeth. The treats have some give to avoid being too hard on tooth enamel yet stay rigid enough for scraping away tartar and plaque. However, puppies still actively teething could harm emerging permanent teeth from overzealous gnawing. Wait until your puppy has all adult teeth around 6 months old. For senior dogs with fragile teeth, consider soaking sticks briefly to soften them first or offer gentler dental chews instead.
How many bully sticks can I give my dog each day?
Veterinarians typically recommend limiting treats like bully sticks to no more than 10-15 percent of your dog’s daily calories. Any more may lead to weight gain or other health issues. For a 50 pound dog consuming around 1000 calories per day, 1 or 2 small to medium-sized bully sticks is plenty. Break up allotted bully sticks into multiple shorter sessions rather than one long period to reduce overindulgence. Recognize when your dog loses interest as their cue they’ve had enough.
What can I stuff inside a bully stick?
You can make bully sticks more engaging by stuffing the hollow center with peanut butter, cheese spreads, wet food or specially made fillings. Simply choose complementary flavors to the bully stick itself. Just be conservative with add-in amounts to prevent overfeeding. Freezing peanut butter or pumpkin puree-filled sticks creates cooling relief for teething puppies. Stuffing also extends single-ingredient bully sticks once they’ve been chewed down, getting the most value from each one.