Dogs of any breed, age, or size can enjoy chewing on a bully stick. They’re even perfect for puppies, as long as your puppy can chew hard food/treats on his own. Bully sticks provide the same high protein and dental health benefits for puppies as they do for adult dogs.
Bully sticks for dogs appear to be popular, but did you know what they are actually made of? Beef or steer pizzle (penis). While this may gross you out, your dog won’t likely object. What are the advantages for your dog, are there any risks, and why would you want to purchase something like this?
In this article, we’ll examine both the advantages and the detractors of this novel treat so you can decide if it’s a wise choice for your dog.
Bully sticks promote healthy puppy growth
Bully sticks* are a nutritious, easily digestible chew treat for your puppy’s stomach. Bully sticks provide a natural chew that meets the demands of your puppy’s developing body because they are made from beef muscle, which is very high in protein and low in fat. Bully sticks provide all of the essential amino acids a dog needs, so in addition to keeping your puppy entertained and amused for extended periods of time, chewing on them will also support the development of your puppy’s muscles, skin, coat, and brain.
Bully sticks are also good for your puppy’s oral health. Chewing on bully sticks provides a natural way to remove the biofilm that appears in the mouth and eventually turns to plaque if not removed. By keeping plaque at bay, you are proactively preventing gum disease too! Finally, chewing encourages saliva that is rich in lysozyme and keeps oral pathogens (bad bacteria) in check.
When should I take away my dog’s bully stick?
Bully sticks are digestible, but if your dog swallows a sizable chunk of the chew, they could suffer serious injuries. If your dog eats a sizable piece of the chew or the entire thing, they could choke or experience digestive problems.
When the bully stick your dog is using gets small enough to be swallowed, you should remove it. Keeping a close eye on your dog can help avoid these kinds of mishaps. After each play session, check the chew to make sure your dog can still engage in play with it. When in doubt, get a new one and throw the old one away. Additionally, be sure to buy your dog the appropriate-sized chew.
Bully sticks keep puppies busy with safe and appropriate chewing. Although it’s always best to watch your dog chew any toy or treat, a bully stick can keep her occupied and satisfy her need to exercise her jaw, brush her teeth, or ease teething discomfort. Plus, bully sticks deliver a powerful protein punch.
Congratulations on bringing a puppy home! Your roly-poly fur ball will no doubt enrich and enrich your life.
Although chew toys are great, you frequently end up with plastic and shredded fuzz scattered throughout your home. A teething puppy may unintentionally consume broken plastic shards that come off as they chew. A growing pup does need chew toys, but they shouldn’t be your only option to satisfy your pup’s need to chew (despite their smaller size, puppies still chew with a lot of force).
One thing to keep in mind is that your adorable pup’s behavior of chewing is completely normal. She might be teething, and chewing helps to lessen the discomfort. She could also just require a gum line cleaning and a jaw exercise, both of which are important for a dog’s general health. The teething-related chewing will stop as she grows, but dogs must chew forever. It’s up to you to give her the proper chews; it’s part of their overall wellness.
Bully sticks do have an odor, but it actually helps attract your dog and keep her interested in the chew. They don’t last forever, but what does last with a teething puppy?
FAQ
How long should a puppy chew on a bully stick?
Bully sticks, as opposed to other chews like rawhide, are secure for puppies to chew. Just try to keep their chewing time to ten minutes or less to prevent them from harming their teeth or gums.
How often can a puppy have a bully stick?
Unless you are removing the bully stick before it is completely consumed, we advise giving your dog bully sticks no more than two to three times per week. There is no reason why a bully stick couldn’t withstand several chewing sessions.
What if my puppy eats a bully stick?
Dogs can chew on a bully stick safely. However, it’s crucial to contact your veterinarian if your dog ingests any of these natural chews. You’ll probably need to keep a close eye on your dog over the following few days, depending on how big the piece that was consumed was.
Do bully sticks help with puppy biting?
When your puppy starts biting, the ASPCA advises switching it out for a toy or chew treat. Strong rubber chew toys and chewy treats like bully sticks, which are a tasty way to curb your puppy’s urge to bite, are some suitable alternatives.