5 Of The Best Bully Sticks For The Best Canines

If you're worried about giving your dog a bone, consider a safe, healthy alternative with the best bully sticks, which are single-ingredient treats and easily digestible.

When searching for treats that are beneficial and great tasting to your dog, consider investing in bully sticks. Fantastic for assisting with removing plaque and tartar build up and preventing bad breath, the dental hygienic sticks are also high in nutrients, containing protein, vitamins and minerals. While all dogs love to chew, especially aggressive chewers, bully sticks prove to remain a favorite among the puppy community, alleviating growing pains when teething arises, and satisfying the urge to chew.

Unlike traditional dog bones and other treats that contain bone, these stick-like dog chews do not splinter, which prevents any discomfort or stomach issues later on. They also tend to be only single-ingredient formulas that contain beef muscle, which is highly digestible and contains a savory meaty flavor and scent that will drive your dog nuts.

Best Bully Sticks to Consider

While bully sticks are the safer alternative to other digestible dog treats, they still have their drawbacks. Make sure prior to purchase, you’re paying attention to the portion sizes and what ingredients are included. Bully sticks tend to be high in protein and calories, so if you treat your dog, make sure to monitor how much they consume so you can avoid potential upset stomachs, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Bully sticks are also notorious for their longevity, which is great to occupy aggressive chewers and stimulate bored dogs. However, because they last so long, they also accumulate contamination and bacteria, so make sure you are monitoring your dog closely when you first introduce them to a new treat.

Lastly, you want to pay attention to what is being added into the sticks themselves. Stay away from options that admit to using GMOs, antibiotics, chemicals, or other harsh additives that can be potentially detrimental to your dog’s health. It’s better to go with all-natural, single-ingredient, grass-fed formulas that contain 100% beef, or whatever meat/vegetable alternative the product is made of. This ensures that you know what your dog is eating and can be prepared if there is a reaction after digestion.

Jack & Pup All Natural Dog Bully Sticks

Support a small business when you purchase your dog a decadent package of all natural, single ingredient, premium beef bully sticks from the Jack & Pup store. The premium package contains seven 6” bully sticks that are high in protein, optimal for oral hygiene, and extremely fun to chew on. 100% digestible and made from grass-fed beef, you can rest assured your dog is getting only the best.

Pros:

  • Odor free
  • Offered in various sizes and package counts
  • Available in standard, thick and jumbo sticks that are 6” and 12” in length
  • Includes in-depth guaranteed analysis of ingredients

Cons:

  • While advertised odor-free, they do indeed stink, but your dog will love them

Best Bully Sticks 6″ Rawhide Free Bully Sticks, 5 Pack

Prepare to tell your dog they’ve had enough treats for the day when you introduce them to the Best Bully Sticks’ all-natural, 6” thick bully sticks, specially made for large dogs. The five pack contains delicious, single-ingredient, grain and rawhide free dog chews that supports dental health, the brain, muscles, skin and even their coat. The nutritious beef flavored chews contain 100% beef, and no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors or additives.

Pros:

  • USA baked and packed
  • 100% free range, grass-fed beef
  • Safe and cost-effective alternative to rawhide
  • Promotes dental health
  • Durable and long-lasting

Cons:

  • They smell

Natural Farm 6″ 100% Beef Bully Sticks, 15 Pack

If you have dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds, you can make sure they’re all satisfied with Natural Farm’s 6” beef bully sticks that are rich in protein, promote mental stimulation, controls tartar and plaque, supports stronger teeth, and strengthens their jaw muscles. The single-ingredient, 100% beef chews arrive in a pack of 15, are fully digestible, and offered in a variety of different sizes and package counts.

Not only are these all-natural, premium grade beef dog chews great for your dog’s health, but they also can give you peace of mind, as the Natural Farm store vows to not sell any bully sticks that have split, ensuring safe digestion for your pup.

Pros:

  • Comes from human-grade facilities with grass-fed, non-GMO beef
  • Grain, hormone, chemical and antibiotic-free
  • Sustainable, certified green packaging made with 51% recyclable sugar cane
  • Donates a portion of proceeds to help pets in need
  • USDA certified with fresh, all-natural ingredients
  • Reported to be odor-free

Cons:

  • No cons for this product

Downtown Pet Supply 6″ Jumbo Bully Sticks, 5 Pack

The Downtown Pet Supply store offers a delectable dental treat, ideal for large dogs, with their 6” jumbo, extra-thick bully sticks. Whether you want five, or 100, you can choose from junior, regular and jumbo sizing to accommodate for light, mild or aggressive chewers. The chewy sticks contain a natural meaty scent, and are anywhere from ¾” – 1.5” thick, and are low fat, high in protein, and enriched with important vitamins and minerals for optimal health.

The single ingredient, rawhide-free chew sticks are long-lasting, and do not contain any bones that can splinter, allowing a safe experience for your pup. With no chemical additives or preservatives, this all-natural choice derives from free-range, grass-fed beef your dog will love.

Pros:

  • Promotes healthy teeth and gums
  • No splintering bones
  • Protein, vitamin and mineral rich
  • No additives or preservatives
  • Durable

Cons:

  • They smell strong

Nature Gnaws Extra Thin Bully Sticks

Help reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate teeth and gum pain, and assist in mental stimulation when you gift your dog a bag of Nature Gnaws’ extra thin bully sticks. Made from premium natural beef and rawhide free, the beef flavored, long-lasting chew treats are single-ingredient, all-natural, and high in protein.

The hard dental chews are offered in 10, 25 or 50 counts, and ideal for small dogs and puppies. If you have a larger dog, feel free to check out Nature Gnaws’ Bully Stick Guide to find the perfect chew that’s right for your pup.

Pros:

  • Grain-free
  • Globally sourced and packaged in the USA
  • Nature Gnaws is a family run business that donates their chews to rescue shelters nationwide
  • Extra thin dental bones for healthy teeth and gums

Cons:

  • They’re stinky

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a dog bone and a bully stick?

Dog bones and bully sticks are different in that bully sticks are highly digestible, and unlike bones, are made from beef muscle, so they do not splinter. Splintering can cause a variety of inconvenient digestive and health issues, that can even prove to be fatal, which is a concern only dog bones raise, especially when they contain rawhide or are cooked.

Why does my dog go through bully sticks so quickly? I thought they were supposed to last awhile?

While bully sticks, among other dog treats, are advertised as “long-lasting,” it’s actually entirely up to your pooch. A large German Shepperd that aggressively chews may very well go through two times the amount that your small, calm Chihuahua with tiny teeth would. Aside from their weight and chewing preference, it also could mean that your dog absolutely loves them. Bully sticks are chewy, digestible, and tend to be extremely stinky, so while you may detest the smell, your dog is guaranteed to go wild over it.

The duration of your bully sticks’ life could also be short if you’re feeding them to young, active puppies. Starting at around three weeks, up until six months, your puppy could be experiencing growing pains, and require stimulation to alleviate their teeth and gums. Bully sticks are fantastic resources for oral hygiene and may be the only form of relief for your little four-pawed friend.

How do I know that my dog is done with their bully stick?

Most owners typically discard their dogs’ bully sticks when they get small enough to be swallowed whole. The lifespan of a bully stick can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days, depending on the dog. If you notice that your dog’s bully stick is nearing the end of its duration and could potentially be swallowed or choked on, promptly remove it from your dog, and replace when necessary.

What is included in a bully stick?

Great as alternatives to rawhide chews, bully sticks don’t splinter thanks to their single ingredient: dried out beef pizzle. Many owners complain that the ingredient smells terrible, but your dog won’t mind one bit. This flavor-packed beef muscle is highly digestible, high in protein, usually contains enriching vitamins and minerals, and always include 100% meat.

Not only are they full of healthy nutrient-filled ingredients, but they also are free from harmful artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, along with soy, grains and wheat. In total, they’re beneficial to your dog’s diet, and known to improve their dental health, mental stimulation, their coat, muscles, brain, and skin. We highly recommend them.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, DogTime has served as a leading resource for millions of dog owners and pet lovers alike. Our goal is to give every dog and pet a happy, healthy home by providing owners with all the information they need to be the best pet parents possible. Our experts share their insights and recommendations to make caring for your beloved pets a breeze.