Bully Sticks: Should You Give Them to Your Dog?
Bones, treats, and rawhide chews have always been popular rewards for pet owners to give their dogs. However, many of these products have gotten a bad rap in recent years due to contaminants and reports of dogs getting hurt from eating them.
It may seem like there are no safe dog treats anymore, but luckily that isn’t the case. Many pet owners have made the choice to switch to bully sticks, and with good reason.
Bully sticks – What are They?
Unlike 
many dog treats that contain chemicals, preservatives, and a host of other unpleasant ingredients that may be harmful to your dog, most bully sticks are made of 100% beef. This treat is made from bull pizzle muscle and is completely digestible.
In order to make a long-lasting, shelf-stable product without the use of chemical additives or preservatives, bully sticks are produced in a very specific way. After the pizzle muscle is cleaned, it is hung vertically to dry, then slow-roasted and often smoked. Thanks to this process, virtually all moisture is removed from the bully sticks, resulting in a treat with a shelf life of years, not months.
Bully sticks – Are They Safe To Feed My Dog?
There has been a lot of concern about dog treats and chew sticks since some have caused blockages in dogs’ digestive tracts. This is not a concern with bully sticks, as they are made from muscle, not rawhide–which is much tougher and difficult to digest.
However, supervised use is recommended since they could pose a choking hazard if your dog breaks off large pieces at a time. Additionally, owners of overweight and obese dogs may want to offer them on an occasional basis since they are not a low calorie treat.
Bully Stick Benefits
In addition to being a tasty treat for your pup, there are many advantages to giving your dog bully sticks. Here are a few:
All natural teeth cleaning- By chewing bully sticks, your dog strengthens his teeth and helps reduce the risk of plaque and tartar buildup. Some studies have shown that bully sticks may even help protect against cavities, gingivitis, and other periodontal diseases.
High protein snack
Low in fat, and high in protein, you can feel comfortable giving these snacks to your dog knowing that they aren’t full of junk.
Multiple styles
Bully sticks come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and flavors. If your dog spends a lot of time chewing, he may enjoy braided bully sticks since they last longer. However, dogs that chew less frequently or with less fervor may be happy with simple sticks or rings.
Provides an outlet for chewing
If you’ve lost more than a couple of tennis shoes or other personal items due to your dog’s chewing habit, you’ll be happy to know that bully sticks can give your dog an outlet for chewing. By reinforcing the habit of chewing bully sticks, you may be able to discourage your dog from destroying property.
Top 5 Bully Stick Brands for Your Dog
#5: Redbarn
This company offers several styles of bully chews for your dog: sticks, springs, slices, braided sticks and rings. Textures range from chewy to rigid and come in a variety of flavors. Some options are low odor, as well. You can buy their sticks in bulk or individually.
Redbarn Bully Sticks |
 100% natural, Red Barn Bully Sticks do not contain any added steroids, hormones or antibioticsーmaking them the perfect long-lasting chew for your dog!
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#4: Best for My Pets
These hand-inspected odor free bully sticks tout USDA approval and are made from 100% premium grain-free beef. Best for My Pets is so sure that your dog will love their bully sticks that they offer a money back guarantee.
Best for My Pets Bully Sticks |
 Odour-free, these tasty bully sticks from Best for My Pets are hand-inspected to ensure your dog gets nothing but the best!
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#3: Wyldlife Pets
Made of 100% USDA approved grass-fed beef, these treats are made in America and come with a 30-day money back guarantee. Wyldlife Pets makes two products: a 6 pack combination of bully sticks and beef tendons, and a 15 pack containing 8 bully sticks and 7 beef tendons.
Wyldlife Pets Bully Sticks |
 Wyldlife’s bully sticks are made from the highest grade of free range angus beefーmmmm!
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#2: Top Dog Chews
Perfect for homes with multiple dogs or dogs with a serious chewing habit, these sticks are available in large bulk packs of 25 sticks or springs. Unlike many other brands, these bully sticks are not smoked, so your dog will be able to enjoy the natural beef flavor and smell. The product comes from South American free-range stock and is USDA approved.
Top Dog Chews Bully Sticks |
 Made in Brazil, these healthy yet yummy treats will be sure to satisfy your pet’s cravings!
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#1: Best Bully Sticks
If you’re looking for variety, Best Bully Sticks are the way to go. They offer five different sizes of bully sticks (Thin, Standard, Thick, Jumbo, and Monster), with lengths ranging from bite size, all the way up to 36 inches long. And if you aren’t a fan of the smell of bully sticks, you’ll love their odor-free line of products.
In addition to sticks and braids, this company also offers bully sticks in the form of: braids, candy canes, pretzels, rings, curly sticks, twisted sticks, spiral sticks, braided crowns, stick bows, and thin knot bones. With this kind of variety, you’re sure to find something your dog will love!
Best Bully Sticks |
 Made from grass-fed beef, Best Bully Sticks contain no preservatives and is an excellent alternative to raw-hide!
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Is your dog a bully stick fanatic? Share with us in the comments below!
