What You MUST Know Before Buying Bully Sticks for Dogs

 

If you have a canine at home, you'd know how aggressive they can get when chewing on your shoes or furniture. And if you're planning to bring one soon, well…this is when you think about how you'll deal with nipping and biting in puppies.
Lucky for you, we might have something that can help alleviate a dog's biting urge.
Yes. We're referring to chewy bully sticks.
Bully sticks for dogs are all the rage these days, especially among new dog parents. Word on the dog street is that canines LOVE them.
But are they safe for your pet?
What are they made from?
For how long should you let your furry friend chew one?
Let's discuss everything you need to know before buying bully sticks for your dog.

6 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Bully Sticks for Dogs

Here are a few things you NEED to know before giving your pup chewy bully sticks.

1. They're Made from Beef or Steer Penis

Okay, you may find it gross, but a bull's dried and processed pizzle makes for a tasty treat for dogs.
There are a few ways a bully stick is prepared:
· Smoked in a traditional smoker
· Sun-dried to dehydrate
· Hung to dry in a refrigerator before being baked in an oven
Sometimes, it's also treated with chemicals to eliminate harmful agents.
Once completely dried, the bully stick is cut into different lengths and sizes in order to create chew toys for dogs of all sizes (you can easily find 6, 12, and 30-inch bully sticks).
Warning: Bully sticks can cause adverse effects in dogs with beef allergies due to their protein content.

2. They're Quite Nutritious but High in Calories

Chewy bully sticks contain 80-90% protein. The fat percentage is low (approximately 3%), and cholesterol isn't high either.
However, the calorie count in these sticks is too high, the mean density being 15kcal/inch. To put this into perspective, a 6-inch stick will have more or less 90 calories; that's a lot for a dog treat!
This means you must not let your furry friend chew on a bully stick daily or for hours on end. If your dog is overweight, you should avoid giving them one altogether.
As a good rule of thumb, think of these treats as a part of a balanced diet for your pup. You can give them only on special occasions or no more than one or two a week for five to ten minutes only.
Also, on days when your dog gets to enjoy a bully stick, make sure you put less food in their bowl. 

3. They're Great for the Dental and Mental Health of Dogs

One of the biggest benefits of bully sticks for dogs is that their hard exterior gives a good 30 to 40-minute chewing time to even the most aggressive chewers.
As your dog gnaws on the bully stick, their teeth will get a good cleaning. Mechanical abrasion can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup, which are common causes of gum disease.
Additionally, chewing strengthens the jaw muscles and massages the gums, promoting blood circulation to keep them healthy.
Bully sticks can also significantly improve the mental health of your pup. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from anxiety and stress. Bully sticks can help relieve some of that tension and provide a sense of calm for your dog.
Chewing on these sticks can also help keep your dog's mind active and engaged, which is vital for their overall mental health. In addition, licking and chewing stimulate the production of endorphins in canines, which helps alleviate anxiety and provide mental stimulation.
If your pup has separation anxiety or a phobia that induces stress, bully sticks are a great option.

4. They Can Become a Choking Hazard When Too Small

Supervising your pup as they chew on a bully stick is imperative.
Make sure they don't bite too aggressively or attempt to break the stick into pieces. Also, once the stick becomes small enough for your dog to swallow whole, you must throw it away immediately.
While chewy bully sticks don't cause a problem after reaching a dog's stomach since they can easily be digested, they may get stuck in your pup's throat and become a choking hazard.

5. They Stink!

Regardless of where you get them, most bully sticks for dogs have a strong, unpleasant odor. When unprocessed, these pieces naturally stink. So, it makes sense to go outdoors before presenting this treat to your dog and have them finish it then and there.
However, some bully sticks that are carefully processed claim to have no odor. But they'll still smell once chewed. The scent won't be as strong as the natural pieces, though, so that's a good thing.

6. They Can Cause Bacterial Contamination

While bully sticks for dogs are completely safe, they may pose the risk of bacterial contamination. It usually happens when dog parents source them from unreputable retailers.
A reputable company that follows safe manufacturing processes will be able to assure you of product quality and safety.
Although your adult dog may have a stronger stomach than you, bacterial contamination from a poorly processed bully stick can upset their stomach and cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
You can avoid these problems by purchasing bully sticks from reliable companies that follow a certain standard for manufacturing dog treats. This is especially important if you have a pup since puppies have more sensitive stomachs.
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Warning: Bully sticks can cause adverse effects in dogs with beef allergies due to their protein content.

2. They're Quite Nutritious but High in Calories

Chewy bully sticks contain 80-90% protein. The fat percentage is low (approximately 3%), and cholesterol isn't high either.

However, the calorie count in these sticks is too high, the mean density being 15kcal/inch. To put this into perspective, a 6-inch stick will have more or less 90 calories; that's a lot for a dog treat!

This means you must not let your furry friend chew on a bully stick daily or for hours on end. If your dog is overweight, you should avoid giving them one altogether.

As a good rule of thumb, think of these treats as a part of a balanced diet for your pup. You can give them only on special occasions or no more than one or two a week for five to ten minutes only.

Also, on days when your dog gets to enjoy a bully stick, make sure you put less food in their bowl.

3. They're Great for the Dental and Mental Health of Dogs

One of the biggest benefits of bully sticks for dogs is that their hard exterior gives a good 30 to 40-minute chewing time to even the most aggressive chewers.

As your dog gnaws on the bully stick, their teeth will get a good cleaning. Mechanical abrasion can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup, which are common causes of gum disease.

Additionally, chewing strengthens the jaw muscles and massages the gums, promoting blood circulation to keep them healthy.

Bully sticks can also significantly improve the mental health of your pup. Just like humans, dogs can suffer from anxiety and stress. Bully sticks can help relieve some of that tension and provide a sense of calm for your dog.

Chewing on these sticks can also help keep your dog's mind active and engaged, which is vital for their overall mental health. In addition, licking and chewing stimulate the production of endorphins in canines, which helps alleviate anxiety and provide mental stimulation.

If your pup has separation anxiety or a phobia that induces stress, bully sticks are a great option.

4. They Can Become a Choking Hazard When Too Small

Supervising your pup as they chew on a bully stick is imperative.

Make sure they don't bite too aggressively or attempt to break the stick into pieces. Also, once the stick becomes small enough for your dog to swallow whole, you must throw it away immediately.

While chewy bully sticks don't cause a problem after reaching a dog's stomach since they can easily be digested, they may get stuck in your pup's throat and become a choking hazard.

5. They Stink!

Regardless of where you get them, most bully sticks for dogs have a strong, unpleasant odor. When unprocessed, these pieces naturally stink. So, it makes sense to go outdoors before presenting this treat to your dog and have them finish it then and there.

However, some bully sticks that are carefully processed claim to have no odor. But they'll still smell once chewed. The scent won't be as strong as the natural pieces, though, so that's a good thing.

6. They Can Cause Bacterial Contamination

While bully sticks for dogs are completely safe, they may pose the risk of bacterial contamination. It usually happens when dog parents source them from unreputable retailers.

A reputable company that follows safe manufacturing processes will be able to assure you of product quality and safety.

Although your adult dog may have a stronger stomach than you, bacterial contamination from a poorly processed bully stick can upset their stomach and cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

You can avoid these problems by purchasing bully sticks from reliable companies that follow a certain standard for manufacturing dog treats. This is especially important if you have a pup since puppies have more sensitive stomachs.   

Get 100% Safe and Low-Odor Bully Sticks for Dogs at Pet Expertise

At Pet Expertise, we offer Bully Sticks in Bulk as well as Single Bully Sticks for Dogs of all sizes. Free of harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones, these are the highest quality chewy bully sticks on the market.
Dogs love our USDA-inspected chews. We dry them extra thoroughly to get rid of the strong odor. Rest assured that our products aren't smoked or flavored in any way.
So, what are you waiting for?
Order some bully sticks for dogs right away to keep your furry friend occupied and out of trouble!