Bully sticks are dog chews made from of 100% bull penis that is drained, dried, and flavoured. Bully sticks are the favourite chew treat of many dog owners (and dogs!), even over those made from rawhide or those manufactured bones. If the odd origin of these dried bull penis (also known as 'pizzles') intrigue you, you might want to read on and get to know these interesting facts.
Health Benefits
For most dog owners, it’s enough for treats to be safe or harmless. But in the case of bully sticks, they go beyond being safe treats as they actually have a variety of health benefits. For starters, dogs have an easier time digesting the dried tendons compared to more conventional chew treats like rawhide or the manufactured bones. It also doesn’t splinter so it’s perfectly safe compared to other treats that may cause internal injuries due to sharp, broken pieces.
Better Than Rawhide
Much like bully sticks, raw hide chews have been around for a long time, and are a solid choice for lasting chew sessions. However, rawhide has been known to break up into pieces, causing a choking hazard for larger breeds. Bully sticks, on the other hand, are easily digested by both large and small breeds, and won’t chip and break to present a choking hazard like rawhide.
Although rawhide is normally cheaper than bully sticks, rawhide doesn't provide the same protein content and health benefits that bully sticks do, and bully sticks can be digested and processed by your dog just like their food, instead of passing it through their system like rawhide does.
The Smellier, The Better
Odour-free or scent-neutral treats and chews are typically treated with formaldehyde or bleach, which are harsh, toxic chemicals that have no place in your dog's diet. The smell common in most chews, especially bully sticks, comes from residual moisture and is completely natural. Nothing to be afraid of!
Bon Appetit!
As with any treat or chew, only give your pup this when you're around to supervise. Avoid giving them out too often, as the added nutrients can cause some dogs (especially puppies) some digestive distress, resulting in messy clean-ups (especially those kinds that no poop bag can handle). Let us know how much your pup loves bully sticks!