What is a Bully Stick for Dogs?

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Does your dog enjoy long and tasty chews? Bully sticks are what you are looking for. They will help keep your dog busy and add numerous nutrients to its body. Bully sticks, also known as pizzle stickssticks, beef pizzles, or steer sticks,, are a single ingredient treat for dogs to chew. They are made from the high protein beef muscle of a bull penis. Interesting right! The beef muscle is usually stretched, twisted then dried by either dehydrating it, smoking, or baking it. Some of the beef muscles are sold raw, so it is best to experiment with the taste your dog prefers most. Is it raw, smoked, or cooked? They come in various shapes as well.

Are Bully Sticks safe?

The answer is yes. Bully sticks are safe for dogs. They help satisfy a dogs’ chewing instinct and are highly digestible. The dog easily breaks it into its mouth, and hence there is no intestinal blockage. Bully sticks naturally clean a dog’s teeth, and this will keep your dogs’ smile healthy. As your dog chews the bully stick, it removes plaque and bacteria from the teeth. It also promotes healthy jaw muscles because the dog chews them for a long time. They are of high nutritional value since they contain high protein that is ideal for your dog. According to American Kennel Club, bully sticks contain amino acids that help improve the dog’s brain functionality and support its muscles. They are also safe for your dog since they do not have artificial chemicals or preservatives. Bully sticks are safe for all dog sizes. If your puppy can chew hard food on its own, it is completely safe to give it bully sticks but under supervision. Straight bully sticks are best for puppies and a dog that is a light chewer. Braided bully sticks are best for dogs that chew aggressively. Bully sticks are entertaining, and they serve as a distraction, especially to puppies. Your canine can chew on it for a long time, preventing them from destroying your shoes or furniture.

How long should a dog have bully sticks?

According to Kipandtwiggys.com, you should take away a bully stick from a puppy after 5 to 10 minutes of chewing time. This is because a puppy has a more sensitive stomach compared to a fully grown dog. It is also important to take away the bully stick from a puppy or a dog if it is small enough to be swallowed whole to avoid choking. It is recommended that a dog should have a bully stick once a day to avoid very high-calorie intake. Bully sticks can easily be contaminated, and the best way to avoid this is by purchasing individually packed ones. That way, only one bully stick is handled at a time.

How long do bully sticks last?

Bully sticks can last for even two years without going bad, but they have to be properly stored. Chew time depends on the dog’s size and its aggressiveness in chewing, the breed, and the dog’s age. It takes less time for a large dog with strong jaws to get through a bully stick compared to an elderly dog. If a dog does not finish a bully stick at once, store the unfinished portion in a zip lock storage bag and freeze it. If it is not a big piece, you can throw it away. Bully sticks are made of natural ingredients, and so if not properly stored, they can attract insects and flies.

Do bully sticks smell?

Considering that bully sticks are made from a bull’s penis, they have a natural smell that stinks. Raw sticks have more smell compared to smoked or cooked bully sticks. The more they are dried, the more moisture is removed and the less the smell. It is possible to have odor-free bully sticks or rather sticks with less odor. Most pet owners don’t want to have a bad odor in their houses. If bully sticks are thoroughly smoked or cooked, they will have less odor and are more friendly for storage. It is advisable to have your dog eat outside if the bully stick is natural and unprocessed to avoid a bad odor in your house.

Do bully sticks turn white?

Bully sticks turn white, but this happens when they are chewed by the dog. Once they mix with the dogs’ saliva, they turn white, and this helps them dissolve and digest easily.

Are bully sticks rawhide?

Bully sticks are different from rawhides. Both are good treats for your dog, but bully sticks are all-natural and are easy to digest. Some of the differences between bully sticks and rawhides are: Rawhide is made from hide, which is difficult for some dogs to digest, whereas bully sticks are made from the pizzle of the bull, making them easily digestible. Bully sticks can be chewed longer than rawhides which is a longer distraction for your dog and better working of the jaw muscle. Bully sticks work well for dogs with sensitive stomachs because they are easy to digest and are free from artificial chemicals, unlike rawhides. Bully sticks are full of flavor, whereas rawhides have a relatively plain taste. Additionally, bully sticks are easy to digest, but once a dog swallows rawhides, they can have a smell in the gut and cause digestion problems.

Points to consider when buying a bully stick:

• Range of bacteria. It is best to contact the manufacturer and read the instructions on the package about safety. Some bully sticks in the market could be contaminated with bacteria, and it is always important to take caution.
• All ingredients should be 100% natural. Confirm whether the sticks were washed with chemicals or bleach. Make sure to clean your hands before and after handling the bully sticks
• Size and shape of the bully stick. This depends on the age, breed, chewing intensity, and size of your dog.

Conclusion

Bully sticks are a healthy and safe chewing option for your dogs. If purchased from trustworthy brands and you read the labels properly, it will dispense the necessary health benefits to your dog.