6 Best Bully Sticks for Dogs

Do you have a pup that loves to chew? If so, this post is for you! Today we’ll be taking a look at some of the best safe bully stick brands on the market, what they’re made of and why they make such great doggy treats!

Bully Sticks, Beef Pizzle, Pizzle Sticks

Photo by ©Mikhail Dmitriev via Canva.com

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What are bully sticks?

Bully sticks are a popular doggy treat chew made of beef muscle, more specifically, dried bull penis (yep, you read that right!). They’re also known as pizzle sticks or beef pizzle.

Are bully sticks good for dogs?

According to the AKC, bully sticks are a great treat chew option for dogs for the following reasons;

  • They’re all-natural and easily digested by most dogs
  • They come in a range of shapes and sizes to suit a range of doggy chewing styles
  • They don’t splinter like some other chews
  • They’re high in protein and free from artificial chemicals, additives, and preservatives
  • They’re a good source of amino acids to support your dog’s brain, body, and coat

In addition to the above, bully sticks also offer the following doggy health benefits;

  • They help to support healthy teeth and gums
  • They’re long-lasting and mentally stimulating for your dog
  • They can have a calming effect, as chewing/licking releases endorphins

Just be mindful of your dog’s daily calorie intake when offering bully sticks and do not offer them too frequently. The trick is to treat them in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

Best Bully Sticks for Dogs

1. Best Bully Sticks for Small Dogs and Puppies

Extra thin, 6-inch chews are a great, manageable bully stick option for tiny teeth, making them great for small dogs, and puppies. Just remember that puppies have sensitive stomachs, so do not offer bully sticks too frequently or for too long so as to allow their tummies plenty of time to adjust. Always follow manufacturer guidelines on the pack.

Image via NatureGnaws/Amazon

NATURE GNAWS EXTRA THIN BULLY STICKS FOR DOGS

Key Features:

  • Single-ingredient, 100% natural beef
  • Extra thin size suits small dogs and teething puppies
  • Available in packs of 10, 25, and 50

Safety Checks:

Nature Gnaws Chews are cleaned with water, oven-baked, and checked by a certified food safety lab before being hand packaged and inspected in the USA in a UV disinfected facility. No chemicals are used or added.

2. Best Bully Sticks for Large Dogs

Image via Jack&Pup/Amazon

JACK&PUP THICK-SIZE PREMIUM-GRADE ODOR FREE BULLY STICKS 

Key Features:

  • Single-ingredient, 100% natural beef
  • Thicker than standard-sized chews, up to 12-inches long (jumbo size also available), perfect for large dogs
  • 6-inch available in packs of 3, 5, and 20
  • 12-inch available in packs of 3 and 5

Safety Checks:

Jack&Pup bully sticks are sourced from grass-fed, free-range cattle raised without added hormones or antibiotics. They are processed in a USDA Human Grade Certified and Inspected facility by way of boiling, roasting, smoking, and slow-drying. Each bully stick is handpicked and inspected. No additives or chemicals are used or added.

*Also see ‘best braided bully sticks’ below (great for large breeds and heavy chewers).

3. Best Odorless Bully Sticks for Dogs

Bully sticks can be stinky, especially those that have minimal processing. If you’d rather not deal with the stench, opt for an odor-free, cooked option instead. 

Image via Natural Farm/Amazon

NATURAL FARM ODOR-FREE STANDARD BULLY STICKS

Key Features:

  • Single-ingredient, pure beef
  • High quality, fresh from the farm beef is hand-cleaned and slow oven-baked to ensure little to no odor
  • Available in a variety of lengths and pack sizes to suit all breeds

Safety Checks:

Natural Farm bully sticks are made completely in-house with no outsourcing in a human-grade USDA, FDA, and MAPA-approved food facility in Brazil. No additives, hormones, or chemicals are used. All bully sticks are hand cleaned and oven-baked.

4. Best Value Bully Sticks (Bulk Packs + Variety)

Bully sticks are known for their relatively long shelf-life, so for multi-dog households, shelters, and rescue groups, buying in bulk is a great, cost-effective option.

Image via Value Pet Supplies

VALUEBULL USA ODOR-FREE BULLY STICKS

Key Features:

  • Single-ingredient, 100% USA beef pizzles
  • Available in 6-inch and 12-inch varieties in multiple widths to suit breeds of all sizes
  • Available as a pack of 25 or bulk purchases of up to 200 chews (2 cartons)
  • Significant savings when buying in bulk
  • Coupon codes and special deals offered regularly by Value Pet Supplies

Safety Checks:

Made of 100% free-range, grass-fed USA beef, processed in Mexico and packaged in the USA in USDA-approved facilities. ValueBull bully sticks are hand-graded and inspected for quality and thickness and made without additives, preservatives, or chemicals.

5. Best Braided Bully Sticks

For heavy/aggressive chewers and large breeds, braided bully sticks offer more of a challenge than standard chews.

Image via Pawstruck/Amazon

PAWSTRUCK 12″ BRAIDED BULLY STICKS FOR DOGS

Key Features:

  • Single-ingredient, grass-fed beef
  • Made from 3 intertwining bully sticks for a longer-lasting chew, great for large breeds and aggressive chewers
  • Available as a pack of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, or 250 (bulk).

Safety Checks:

Made in South American facilities. The Pawstruck processing plant adheres to strict quality assurance standards, governing body, and 3rd party USA standards. Pawstruck chews contain no artificial ingredients, no hormones, and no chemicals.

6. Best Beef-Alternative Bully Stick

Yak cheese chews are a great long-lasting bully stick alternative for dogs with beef product sensitivities.

Image via EcoKind Pet Treats

ECOKIND GOLD PREMIUM YAK CHEESE DOG CHEWS

Key Features:

  • Made from 100% Yak Milk (with the lactose removed for easy digestion)
  • Grain-free and gluten-free
  • Available in 1 lb, 3 lb, or 5 lb bags that contain pieces 6-8 inches in length and 1-2 inches in width

Safety Checks:

Made in and imported directly from Nepal. EcoKind treats are hand-picked for quality, as well as being USDA and FDA approved. No artificial ingredients, preservatives, or chemicals are used in their production.

Things to remember

While bully sticks are considered to be a relatively safe doggy treat when given in moderation, like most other types of doggy treats, there are some risks to be aware of; 

  • Small pieces may pose a choking hazard – always supervise your pet when they are chewing and remove the chew when it becomes too small for them to chew safely
  • Sensitivities and gastric upset – bully sticks may be too protein-rich for some dogs’ stomachs to handle. Offer bully sticks for short periods of time initially in order to gauge the level of any potential sensitivities.
  • Always check the country of origin and hygiene practices used by manufacturing facilities to avoid the risk of potential bacterial contamination. Completely raw chews (uncooked with little processing), low-quality chews, and chews of questionable origin tend to be the most at risk.
  • Always read (and follow) manufacturer guidelines on the pack
  • Always ensure your dog has access to clean drinking water

DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. As such, all product recommendations made are purely editorial. Always consult a vet when making changes to your dog’s diet and when introducing new foods and/or treats.

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