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Before bringing a new dog into your family, it can seem like picking out the perfect snacks and treats for your pet is simple. But dogs are a lot like people — they have their own particular tastes and dietary requirements. That's why choosing the best bully stick for your pup can be more extensive than just hitting "buy" on the first brand of treats you see online.
Considering you're probably already putting thought into the best dog treats, best dog toothbrushes, and best dog toys for your furry friend, it goes without saying that the same should be true for the long-lasting chewy treats known as bully sticks.
The best bully sticks of 2024:
Between considering dietary requirements, size, age, and allergies and assessing other parameters like budget and quality, choosing the best bully stick for your dog can take some thought. Luckily, the abundance of online reviews make it easy to gauge the pros, cons, and value of almost any item — and, yes, that includes bully sticks. Whether you're a brand-new dog owner or you're just looking for a treat for your dog that will keep them occupied and happy for hours, here are some of the best bully sticks on the market.
Choose from our top picks below in order to make your dog very happy. Looking for more ways to treat your pup? Check out our guides to the best pet advent calendars and the best dog gifts.
Pros
- Odorless
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons
- Largest quantity on Amazon is a 30-pack
With more than 13,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.5 stars, these odor-free bully sticks are incredibly popular. They also come in a variety of sizes, from two- to three-inch as well as foot-long varieties.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small, Medium and Large Breeds |
| Life Stage: | Adult |
Redbarn Pet Products Bully Stick Party Pack
Pros
- Offers a variety of sizes
- Available in odor-free options
Cons
- May not be enough of the size your dog likes the most
If you're not sure which size of bully stick your dog prefers, this party pack gives you the option to pick and choose. Ranging from 5-inch bully sticks to 8-inch bully sticks, this mix gives you options at an affordable price point. They also offer a party pack with 8-inch to 12-inch bully sticks as well.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small, Medium and Large Breeds |
| Life Stage: | All |
Best Bully Sticks 6-Inch Thin Bully Sticks for Dogs (24-Pack)
Pros
- Odorless
- Thin for smaller pups
Cons
- Not ideal for large dogs
For a bully stick that's on the thinner side, consider these bully sticks from a brand that specializes in them. Marketed as the #1 online bully stick brand, these sticks are very, very thin, so if you have a smaller dog who can't handle bigger, thicker sticks, they're a good option.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small and Medium Breeds |
| Life Stage: | Adult |
Jack & Pup 12-Inch Premium Bully Sticks (3-Pack)
Pros
- Large size lasts longer
- Odorless
Cons
- Only options are three, ten, or 40 in a pack
Though these particular Jack & Pup bully sticks only come in packs of three, they're significantly thicker and longer than many other varieties of bully sticks, meaning that they will keep your dog occupied and chewing for longer.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small, Medium and Large Breeds |
| Life Stage: | All |
Bow Wow Labs 6-Inch Bully Sticks (10-Pack)
Pros
- Available in two sizes
- Preservative-free
Cons
- Toys sold separately
Bully sticks can be great mental and physical stimulation for dogs. These take that to the next level by pairing with Bow Wow Labs' toys; the bully sticks are designed to fit in the brand's indoor dog toys, making them even more tempting and engaging for your pup.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small and Medium Breeds |
| Life Stage: | All |
Top Dog Chews Thick Bully Sticks (12-Pack)
Pros
- Made with grass-fed, hormone-free beef
Cons
- Expensive
In addition to being organic, these six-inch bully sticks seem to be a popular option with customers on Amazon, and particularly great for "power chewers," according to reviews.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small and Medium Breeds |
| Life Stage: | All |
Brutus & Barnaby Bully Sticks (12-Pack)
Pros
- Never-bleached, high quality ingredients
Cons
- Expensive
If you're looking to shop from a small, family-owned brand, check out Brutus & Barnaby's Bully Sticks, which have excellent Amazon reviews as well as all the qualities you're probably looking for in a bully stick, like flavor, all-natural ingredients, and strength.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small and Medium Dogs |
| Life Stage: | All |
Pros
- Small size ideal for puppies
Cons
- Not as long-lasting as larger options
There's no type of dog that needs or enjoys a bully stick more than a teething puppy. These extra-thin baby bully sticks are great for dogs with small jaws and/or puppies. They're manageable, but will still keep them occupied and entertained for long periods of time.
| Main Ingredient: | Beef Pizzle |
|---|---|
| Breed Size: | Small |
| Life Stage: | Puppy |
What to look for when shopping for bully sticks
Bully sticks are popular with dog owners and dogs alike because they can keep your pup entertained and engaged for hours. For puppies, this is particularly helpful, especially given their razor sharp teeth and tendency to chew anything but toys or treats.
Bully sticks help pups get some of their energy out while being more digestible than rawhide chews, which can be more of a choking hazard and can often contain more chemicals, according to the American Kennel Club.
As Dr. Abel Gonzalez, veterinarian and clinical director at Dutch, explains, when shopping for bully sticks, it's especially crucial to look at ingredients. Dr. Gonzalez suggests single-ingredient options that don't include preservatives, flavors, or colors.
"The source of the bully stick is also important," Dr. Gonzalez adds. "Opt for those made from grass-fed, free-range cattle to ensure higher nutritional value."
✔️ Ingredients: Knowing your dogs allergies and dietary requirements is incredibly important before purchasing a bully stick. As an article on the American Kennel Club's website explains, bully sticks can be a great protein alternative for dogs with allergies to other types of proteins.
✔️ Nutritional value: "Before buying bully sticks, it's good to know that they are a high-protein, low-fat chew option made from dried beef pizzle," Dr. Gonzalez says. "However, they can be high in calories, so moderation is key, especially for dogs on a weight management plan."
✔️ Size. Every type of dog is a different type of chewer, and there are a variety of sizes and styles of bully sticks to reflect those differences. In other words, giving your dog the biggest bully stick imaginable if they don't like to chew that much might not make sense. "
For smaller dogs or puppies, thinner and shorter bully sticks are generally more appropriate," Dr. Gonzalez explains. "These are easier for them to manage and less likely to pose a choking hazard. For medium-sized dogs, a medium-thickness stick of about six to nine inches long usually works well.Larger dogs or aggressive chewers may benefit from thicker and longer bully sticks that are 12 inches or more. These not only last longer but also provide a good workout for the jaw muscles."
✔️ Age: Bully sticks are great for puppies and older dogs alike. As the American Kennel Club explains, if your dog can chew hard treats and food, then they can handle bully sticks, too.
FAQs
• What is a bully stick made of? It's not exactly a pleasant revelation, but bully sticks are made out bulls — specifically, the bull pizzle, or penis.
• What are the benefits of a bully stick? Bully sticks are high in protein and a great source of amino acids, according to the American Kennel Club. They also are more easily digestible than other alternatives, and don't splinter upon chewing. Because they're such a tough piece of muscle, they can keep even the most aggressive chewers entertained for hours.
• Do vets recommend bully sticks? Yes, the American Kennel Club recommends bully sticks as a safe, healthy, and engaging treat for dogs.
• Are bully sticks safe? As Dr. Gonzalez cautions, it's always crucial to supervise your pet while they're enjoying their bully stick to ensure they don't break off large pieces that could be swallowed whole, as this could pose a choking risk. "Remember, each dog is unique," Dr. Gonzalez says. "So it may take some trial and error to find the bully stick size that's just right for your furry friend."
Olivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Refinery 29, Glamour, Byrdie, Apartment Therapy, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. When she's not reading (or talking about reading on Bad on Paper, the bookish podcast she co-hosts), you can find Olivia working on her first novel, curating the perfect playlist, or shopping online.
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