The Best Bully Sticks

Buying Guide

If you have a dog, you know how much they love to chew on everything. From furniture to carpets to the walls, many dogs find comfort in chewing on anything they can find. Giving your dog the right things to chew makes all the difference, especially if you want to ensure your home doesn’t get ruined. While chew toys are a great idea, so are bully sticks. These are edible sticks made from meat products that are tough in texture. Their shape and feel make them the perfect chew toys for dogs while giving them a flavor they love.

When choosing bully sticks, start by considering the size of your dog as well as how much they like to chew. This will help you figure out the size of stick you need. For example, larger bully sticks, which are 12 inches, are ideal for big dogs who are strong chewers. Smaller bully sticks, which are around four inches, are best for small dogs or those who don’t chew often.

In terms of width, bully sticks can be found in thin, standard, thick and jumbo sizes. Thicker bully sticks are more difficult to chew than thinner ones, so they are best for dogs who chew frequently and have strong bites. For small dogs and those who do not have a strong jaw, opt for bully sticks on the thinner end of the spectrum.

When it comes to shapes, traditional bully sticks are straight. However, there are other fun shapes you can get, such as braided bully sticks, curly bully sticks and pretzel bully sticks. Braided bully sticks give the dog a new texture to work through, and can help slow down their chewing. Curly bully sticks create a lot of friction while chewing, so they are handy for removing plaque from your dog’s teeth. Pretzel bully sticks are a fun shape and add another level of challenge to the activity.

• If you have a strong chewer who likes to always be working on a bully stick, go with one that slows down the chewing process. A thicker stick that also has some texture, such as a braid or a curl, is a good idea. The stick will be challenging to chew and will keep your pup engaged for longer than a bully stick that is thin and straight.
• If you have a senior dog or one that is on the smaller end, opt for something that is thinner and smaller. This makes the stick easier to chew. If the stick is too thick or textured, the dog may find it too overwhelming and challenging and may resort to chewing something else instead.
• How long does a bully stick last with your pup? It all depends on how hard they chew and how fast they chew. For some dogs, a bully stick lasts about fifteen minutes, while for others it can last over an hour. For dogs that only chew infrequently, the bully stick lasts even longer.
• Just like for kids, bully sticks can be choking hazard for dogs. If your dog eats very quickly and often forgets to chew his treats, it’s possible the bully stick can cause harm. If this is the case, hold one end of the bully stick while the dog works on the other end. This will help the pup slow down and learn to chew the treat instead of trying to swallow it whole.