Dr. Freeman has received research support from, given sponsored lectures for, or provided professional services to Aratana Therapeutics, Elanco, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Nestlé Purina PetCare, P&G Pet Care (now Mars), and Royal Canin. Are Bully Sticks Safe? Giving your puppy a bully stick could keep him busy for an hour or more – you can also use them to distract your dog when you leave the house if he suffers from separation anxiety. https://www.dogingtonpost.com/bully-stick-treats-delicious-and-dangerous study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal. “While calorie information isn’t currently required on pet treats or most pet foods, these findings reinforce that veterinarians and pet owners need to be aware of pet treats like these bully sticks as a source of calories in a dog’s diet,” said Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, PhD, DACVN, professor of nutrition at TCSVM who is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition. 4% of the sticks were contaminated with Clostridium difficile; 4% were contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics; and 27% were contaminated with Escherichia coli, including one tetracycline-resistant sample. Bully sticks that are advertised as “odor-free” or “low-odor” may be appealing to people who find that natural smell a bit too overpowering. Dr. Heinze has done consulting for Lafeber and WellPet, given sponsored talks for Nestlé Purina PetCare and the Pet Food Institute; and provided professional services to Balance IT.com and Mark Morris Institute. According to The Canine Journal, bully sticks are made from bull penises, which are 100 percent beef tendon. First, let’s talk about why rawhide is so dangerous. Gnawing on a bully stick helps a dog relieve stress or boredom and chewing keeps its teeth and gums healthy. And while this study completed several years ago, these treats don’t seem to be any less popular now. Even if you can get past the issue of feeding your dog an uncooked, dried penis of a bull or steer as a treat, there are more potential problems with bully sticks. One is that they may be contaminated with bacteria. Bully sticks are highly digestible, so the risk of intestinal blockage is very low. Learn how your comment data is processed. Bully sticks come in many different shapes and forms, allowing you to pick the bully stick that is best for your dog. We tested 26 bully sticks for bacteria and found that one was contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics; one was contaminated with Clostridium difficile; and seven were contaminated with Escherichia coli (including one antibiotic-resistant sample). *Bully sticks are a great longer-term chew that brings lots of joy to your pup, supports a healthy mental state, and satisfies their instinctual desire to chew. Along with all the fun, you'll find valuable information, heartfelt inspiration and a community captivated by the love of dogs. Bully sticks are one of the safest chews for all puppies, topping popular rawhide chews. Bully sticks are a low-fat dog treat, so they can be safely enjoyed even by overweight and obese animals. After slicing the meat, you have to ignite the power of the oven. ARE BULLY STICKS SAFE FOR DOGS? The following list of organizations offer resources and assistance to dog and cat owners... Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of passing a nibble of our “human food”... Dog owners may mean well when they post “free to a good home” classified... Join our mailing list to receive the latest dog news, recall alerts, and giveaways! With dog obesity on the rise, thanks in big part to the popularity of treats and chews as an easy way for pet owners to reward good dog behavior or entertain a restless pooch, pet parents need to take into consideration the extra calories these treats add to their dog’s diet, and compensate by cutting back on their food intake. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In addition to many not knowing what bully sticks are, 71% of people feeding bully sticks to their dogs said they avoided pet foods containing by-products, with most not being able to correctly identify what by-products really are. The team also revealed several common misconceptions about the popular chewy treats through a series of interviews to consumers and veterinarians. However, she also is passionate about providing objective and accurate information on pet nutrition to veterinarians, pet owners, and other animal enthusiasts. Pawstruck’s Straight Bully Sticks offer a truly … Protein and Carbohydrate Sources of Home-cooked Pet Diets, Research Review: Comparing “senior” and “adult” cat diets. Nutritional and microbial analysis of bully sticks and survey of opinions about pet treats. As a result, bully sticks are also an effective way to stave off gingivitis and periodontal disease. Bully sticks are high in protein and low in fat. the scientific study of pet nutrition by veterinary nutrition specialists and experts. But, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding these tasty sticks of meat. Since over half of all dogs in the US are overweight, it’s important for owners to factor in calories from treats and table food, in addition to those coming from dog food. A straight bully stick is ideal for a dog that is a light chewer, or a puppy as they aren't difficult to chew while still lasting a long time. Learn more about the Clinical Nutrition Team at Tufts. Bully sticks are a safe and natural chew for puppies and dogs of all ages and sizes. Nearly 800 dog owners completed our online survey, and the results emphasize the confusion and misconceptions owners have about pet food and treats. In order to answer the question, ‘are bully sticks good for dogs,' you have to know if they are safe. There are dangers with any dog treat or chew, however, and bully sticks are no exception. There’s conflicting information about the safety of bully sticks for dogs. Currently, bully sticks are considered a safe treat for dogs to chew. Pawstruck Straight Bully Sticks for Dogs or Puppies. As you’re on this website right now, we can assume that you love pets and likely have a special dog or cat (or many) in your life. What Is Guaranteed about the Guaranteed Analysis? Bully sticks are, in fact, bull or steer penises. All 26 treats were tested for bacterial contaminants. Also because GiGi becomes a psycho freak and will bite your face off if you go near her when she has one. The U.S. Since bully sticks are completely digestible, they’re safer overall than rawhide and other chews that aren’t meant to be eaten. You might be surprised by their results! The Dogington Post is proud to do for the dog world what other great online newspapers have done for the dog-eat-dog world. 2013; 54: 50-54. There also isn’t a lot of research on the topic of bully stick safety. A parody, but paws a moment. My pet has kidney disease – what kind of diet should I feed. Here are just some of the benefits of bully sticks for dogs: Bully sticks are flavourful, making them irresistible to dogs. Bully sticks for any dog that loves to chew, that gets lonely or bored, or for dogs that chew for destructive reasons because they feel like being a butt.. So you may ask, what is the safest thing for a dog to chew on? These dog treats are for any size or breed of dog. But is the bully stick the best choice? Truth: Bully sticks are actually found to be very high in calories, containing between 9 and 22 calories per inch. The biggest is its digestibility. Use your ← → (arrow) keys to browse. The very young, elderly, pregnant, immuno-compromised and other high-risk individuals should avoid all contact with the treats. Bully sticks are safe for dogs of all ages and sizes. Bully sticks have a long shelf life, up to three years if they are kept in a cool, air-tight package. They are low in fat and high in protein. A safe bully stick holder will allow your puppy to reap the benefits of these healthy and delicious treats, while also giving you peace of mind. Here are some benefits of bully sticks for dogs. Continue to page 2 for more misconceptions and truths about bully sticks…, Your email address will not be published. So your dog will be able to chew for years to come… And, your shoes will be safe. Truth: The popular treats are known to harbor dangerous bacteria, harmful if not handled correctly. Canadian Veterinary Journal. Like other chew toys, bully sticks can help maintain your dog's dental health. Finally, our survey found that 50% of dog owners underestimated the number of calories in bully sticks. They're viewed as a safer, more nutritious alternative to some other chew products, including rawhide. The… Drying Method. Our analysis of these treats showed that they contain between 9-22 calories per inch, which means than an average 6-inch bully stick is nearly 100 calories! Bully sticks are high in protein and low in fat. Shop. Best Bully Sticks are a nutritional treat sourced from grass-fed, free-range Angus beef cattle and do have a lower odor than the others on our list, though odor-free is a stretch. This is because bully sticks are broken down in the stomach relatively easily. A surprising number of owners (almost 50% in our survey) did not. While it is safe for your pup to chew and eat the bully stick, you need to know when to take bully stick away. I have always kept my dogs away from rawhide, because I am affraid they might choke. Bully or "pizzle" sticks are tough pet chews made from the penis of an animal, usually a bull. Dogs love the taste and texture, and parents love their long-lasting, natural source of protein they provide. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The safest dog chew and bully stick for your dog is Nylabone chew. However, if large pieces are swallowed, they can cause an obstruction in the throat, and cause your dog to choke. Even if you can get past the issue of feeding your dog an uncooked, dried penis of a bull or steer as a treat, there are more potential problems with bully sticks. The number of treats sampled was small and not all of these bacterial strains have been shown to infect humans. For healthier treat options, check out our post on safe and healthy treats for your pet. As an added benefit, they promote healthy teeth and gums when chewed. They are actually safe and will not harm your dog in any way. Bully sticks have become the go-to chew for dogs. While all dogs should be supervised while munching down on any chew treat, bully sticks are safe for your dog. But the best bully sticks are alike in one respect: They contain no fillers and are grain-, gluten-, and preservative-free. Bully sticks come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate … The Benefits of Bully Sticks for Dogs. Do you feed bully sticks (also known as pizzle sticks) to your dog? Bully sticks are some of the safest chews you can give to aggressive chewers. READ How Much is a Cat Scratching Post? You see, bully sticks come with a lot of great benefits that surpass what your pup would experience with a typical rawhide. You’ll want to remove it when it gets whittled down to a piece small enough to pose a choking hazard. What are bully sticks for dogs?Do bully sticks for dogs go bad? Want to read more information on feeding your pet? In a study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal, Tufts University, researchers analyzed the bully sticks both for their nutritional values and for their potential to harbor bacteria. Unlike rawhide, which should be avoided as it can pose a choking hazard (if an oddly shaped piece breaks off and your pup swallows it), bully sticks are a safe, healthy, and easily digestible option for dogs. Dr. Linder has received speaker fees or research funding from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Nestlé Purina PetCare, and Royal Canin, and has provided professional services for Mark Morris Institute. Bully sticks are a single ingredient, all-natural, high-protein chew treat, and dogs seem to love them. They can stop plaque and tartar from accumulating on your dog's teeth, to prevent tooth decay. Bully sticks are a great solution, says Chris Roth, DVM, Resident Veterinarian at Pets Best Insurance. Expand submenu Shop Collapse submenu Shop. They’re arguably the most popular of the digestible chews. As long as you take the proper safety precautions, your rambunctious puppy shouldn't have any issues chewing on these treats. But is the bully stick the best choice? Subscribe to always know when we add new material! Bully sticks aren’t just a safe treat for dogs, but offer a variety of health benefits, and give your dog something to chew. Take them away when they’ve become too … We love them, too! The primary benefit of bully sticks for dogs is that they give your dog something safe to chew on. Required fields are marked *. Researchers analyzed 26 bully sticks sold across Canada and the United States by different retailers and brands. Bully sticks are a safe and natural chew for puppies and dogs of all ages and sizes. We will show you who's bark is worse than their bite, who is most likely to be leader of the pack and who is the next bitch headed for stardom! One study analyzed the The answer is No. Generally, bully sticks are a very safe treat for puppies. That’s one of the reasons my colleagues and I wanted to conduct a study on these popular treats. When you’re looking for an all-natural chew, you’ve probably heard the most about bully sticks. Bully sticks come in interesting flavors that make them irresistible to dogs. I went to the vet today though and he recommended bully sticks for their teeth since brushing isn't doing as well as it should. On average, a 6-inch bully stick contains around 88 calories, that’s 9% of the daily calorie requirements for a 50-pound dog, and 30% of the daily calorie requirements for a 10-pound dog. As with any other treat or toy, these are best used with supervision. This post provides a summary of our article: Freeman LM, Janecko N, Weese JS. Misconception: Bully sticks are completely safe and free from contaminates. She is on the cutting-edge of science, with hundreds of articles in prestigious journals, speaking engagements at national and international conferences, and awards for her scientific achievements. The only way to ensure that 100% of your Bully Sticks will always fit your Bully Buddy and protect … But do you know what bully sticks are? Their composition makes them easy to digest for even the most sensitive stomachs. Dr. Freeman is a veterinary nutritionist and a professor at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients, It’s Not Just Grain-Free: An Update on Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy. However, the researchers advise all pet owners to wash their hands after touching such treats. You can even stuff bully sticks into interactive toys to help keep your puppy's attention. Our premium, 100% all-natural, grass-fed, free-range beef bully sticks are always hand-selected by the Bow Wow Labs team to guarantee the safest fit for your Bully Buddy. Place the rack on it … Subscribe to always know when we add new material! Tip: A partially eaten bully stick can be safely stored in your freezer, where it will re-harden for your dog to chew at a later date. If you watch a dog chewing on anything it can be anything. We all know that because of the very useful sticks, which are a must for dog trainers around the world, it has been argued that they do go bad. If you do, you’re like 23% of dog owners in a survey we conducted. Odor-Free Bully Sticks. And not only do we love the pets, we also love their people, and you are our reason for making this site. Bully sticks are easily digestible, unlike some other chews or treats. Your email address will not be published. I have always been surprised when talking to clients and even other veterinarians that many have no idea what bully sticks really are. These diseases can cause inflammation, mouth pain, tooth decay, and life-threatening bacterial infection in the liver, heart, joints and kidneys. They are also a much safer alternative to rawhide, which, despite its popularity and decades-long domination of the dog treat market, creates many health and safety problems for dogs. Bully sticks are a safe, natural way to satisfy that urge, and give your dog something to occupy his time – but they tend to smell. People at high risk (very young, elderly, pregnant, or immunocompromised individuals) should avoid all contact with raw animal-based treats and raw meat diets. Are bully sticks safe? Bully sticks, also known as pizzle sticks, are an increasingly popular treat for dog owners. Misconception: Bully sticks are a healthy, low-calorie snack. One is that they may be contaminated with bacteria. This certainly doesn’t prove that all bully sticks are contaminated but does emphasize the importance of washing your hands after touching these treats, as you should with any raw meat or raw meat diets.