Stinky Sticks: Bully Sticks and their Smell

Bully sticks are a great chew choice for almost every dog, regardless of size or breed! They’re an all-natural, single-ingredient chew that dogs can’t get enough of. So, what’s not to love? Well, some might say the SMELL! So, do bully sticks smell? And what can we do about it? 

Smelliness is common feedback for bully sticks, and depending on who you ask – the owner or the dog – it can be a good thing or a not-so-pleasant thing! Some dogs strongly prefer their bully sticks to stink, and the stinker the better! But unfortunately for owners, we usually prefer as little odour as possible, which is hard to achieve without chemical treatment. 

We recognize that some companies like to sell “odourless” bully sticks – these are often treated with hydrogen peroxide to eliminate the smell on the exterior of the stick. We at Only One Treats do not consider chemically treating the chews to be safe. Some large suppliers also claim to be "odourless" but don't clean out the inside of the pizzles, meaning that once your dog starts chewing, the smell comes out. 

We source our bully sticks from a small, family-run business that uses natural methods to clean them. This process involves opening up and cleaning the product with water for high-quality -- something larger supplies don't always do. Because of this, we consider our bully sticks to have a low to mid-odour level. 

Because bully sticks and pizzles are made from dried animal penises, they will always be at least a LITTLE smelly to us humans. But we believe "the stinkier, the better!" -- and your dog will agree!

Here are some quick tips when considering the smell level of your bully stick:

• First, give the bully stick company a call, and ask them what they consider the odour level to be. Is it odourless? Low odour? Mid-odour, or very smelly? They will be able to give you more specific answers about the product you are considering.
• The smell of bully sticks tends to be different from brand to brand. Do your research into reviews and customer feedback. We suggest avoiding bully sticks that are heavier on the “urine” smelling side (trust us, they are funky!), and more so on the “meat” smelling side. You’ll thank us later!
• Store your bully sticks in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent the development of smelly mould or bacteria on the stick, and keeps your dog healthy!
• Finally, if your bully stick does start to smell, simply soak it in a vinegar solution for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with water. This will neutralize the odour and make the bully stick safe for your dog to chew on again!

Do you mind the smell of bully sticks? Or do you like the acquired funky smell of your dog’s favourite chews and treats? Let us know on social media at @OnlyOneTreats!