What size bully stick for my dog? When I was looking for recommended dog chews, I came across bully sticks. I wondered if there were specific sizes for different dog breeds. I did some research to find out if bully sticks could be given to small dogs, as much as they could be given to larger dogs.
So, what size bully stick for my dog?
Small dogs should have small bully sticks and large dogs should have larger bully sticks. Specifically:
- Bully sticks that are under 6 inches are recommended for smaller dogs and can include bully bites, bully sticks, and bully pretzels. They are generally 3-5 inches.
- Bully sticks that are 6 inches are the perfect size for any dog. While they will offer a longer chew for smaller dogs, they will be a bit of a bite-sized snack for larger dogs.
- Bully sticks that are 10 inches can be given to small or large dogs.
- Bully sticks that are 12 inches and above are great for larger dogs and aggressive chewers. They will last for a long time and are considerably more durable than a less-sized bully stick.
Small dogs have small jaws and mouths, making large bully sticks unsafe. Large dogs can eat small bully sticks too fast and become a choking hazard. Bully sticks come in bite-sized pieces to 12 inches in length. There are even bully sticks that can range in size from 30-38 inches.
Many dog owners realize the importance of providing their dog with dog chews. Not only do dog chews keep your dog from eating your furniture and shoes, but they help your dog maintain healthy teeth and jawbones. While there are some great dog chews on the market, there are others that should be avoided. The bully stick is a highly recommended dog chew for all sizes and breeds.
What is a Bully Stick?
Bully sticks are dog chews made from single-ingredients. They are 100% digestible, safe to chew, and are often made from 100% high-protein beef muscle or pizzles (bull penises).
Why the heck would a pizzle be used as a dog treat?!
There are actually some really great things about beef pizzles:
- They are free from preservatives, grains, wheat, and artificial flavors.
- They are 100% beef, easily digestible, high in protein, and great for any life stage.
How bully sticks are made is really dependent on the pet treat company. The manufacturing process will differ depending on the brand, but for the most part, bully sticks are drained of fluid, stretched, and then either smoked or baked.
The longer bully sticks are dried, the less of an odor they will have. Some brands will offer a version of bully sticks that is odor-free, which can be a nice treat, as they are a rather smelly dog chew option.
Many pet treat companies will decontaminate their products in one of two ways. They will either use an intense washing process or douse the bully stick with radiation to kill germs and other pathogens.
What Sizes do Bully Sticks Come In?
Bully sticks also come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are known to be low in cholesterol, high in protein, and full of vitamins and minerals.
The sizes of bully sticks can range from bite-sized morsels to a massive 38 inches in length.
Many companies will offer a wide variety of bully stick sizes, shapes, and widths to accommodate different dog breeds.
- Bully sticks that are under 6 inches are recommended for smaller dogs and can include bully bites, bully sticks, and bully pretzels. They are generally 3-5 inches.
- Bully sticks that are 6 inches are the perfect size for any dog. While they will offer a longer chew for smaller dogs, they will be a bit of a bite-sized snack for larger dogs.
- Bully sticks that are 10 inches can be given to small or large dogs.
- Bully sticks that are 12 inches and above are great for larger dogs and aggressive chewers. They will last for a long time and are considerably more durable than a less-sized bully stick.
There are also various styles of bully sticks:
- Straight – Straight bully sticks are great for any breed or size of dog. One thing to watch out for when giving your dog straight bully sticks is you want the size of the bully stick to be bigger rather than smaller. This means more chew time for your dog, but it means less of a potential choking hazard.
- Braided – Braided sticks are great for larger dogs and very aggressive chewers. The braided style means they have 3 layers to get through instead of just one. They also have a more interesting texture than a straight rawhide, which can be a nice treat for your dog.
- Ring or Spirals – Ring or spiral bully sticks are fun alternatives to straight or braided styles. They are almost like interactive toys for your dogs to enjoy.
When choosing the right bully stick for your dog, the bully stick should be larger than their muzzle. This helps in preventing larger pieces from being swallowed and becoming potential choking hazards.
What are the Benefits of Bully Sticks?
There are many benefits associated with bully sticks:
- The maintain healthy coats
- They help develop strong muscles
- They help in cleaning gums and teeth
- They are nutritional
- They keep your dog’s brain active
Bully sticks are easy for your dog to chew and won’t break into sharp pieces as other dog chews can. They are also high in protein and low in fat, so they are a great treat to add to your dog’s diet.
They can last a long time, depending on what option you pick. With many varieties of sizes, widths, and styles, you can find a bully stick that will keep your dog entertained for hours while providing them with a nutritional snack.
Can Puppies Have Bully Sticks?
If your puppy is under 8 weeks old, giving them a bully stick to chew on is not recommended. That being said, puppies who are older than 8 weeks can really benefit from bully sticks, especially puppies who are teething.
So long as your puppy can chew hard food and treats on their own, bully sticks are completely safe for them to have. They are natural, and single-ingredient dog treats that will provide your puppy with the same benefits that adult dogs receive.
If you do give your puppy a bully stick, we highly recommended that you supervise them.
You also need to be aware of the size of the bully stick you are giving them. Puppies are small, but remember, a bully stick should be bigger than your puppy or dog’s muzzle.
It is better to provide your puppy and adult dog with bully-sticks that are larger in size. Larger sized bully sticks increase chewing times and make them less of a choking hazard. If you do notice the bully stick is becoming too small, take it away from your pet. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Related Questions
There are more benefits from bully sticks than there are dangers. (Like anything else) it is dependent on the pet company you choose to get your pet supplies from. Bully sticks can be contaminated with bacteria. To avoid this risk, you want to make sure you are getting them from a reputable brand. You also want to make sure that when you handle bully sticks, you wash your hands afterward.
Finding out the actual calorie count on the bully sticks you buy is essential as well. Some companies will pack their bully sticks with high calories that take away from the health benefits these sticks can have for your dog. Just make sure to do your due diligence before you decide on a bully stick for your animal.
Bully sticks are a great way to help with your dog’s mouth hygiene. Not only do they clean your dog’s mouth, but the chewing process gets rid of plaque build-up on their teeth. Bully sticks also generate saliva, which in turn decreases dry mouth, leading to bad breath.
There are some great dog chews out there that will keep your dog entertained for hours. Keep in mind that not all dog chews are edible. Some of the best dog chews are rubber chew toys, ropes, and stuffed animals. As far as consumable chew treats go, rawhides, oral hygiene chews, and bully sticks are all excellent dog chew options.
