Can my dog eat a bully stick every day?

Although you may already be aware that bully sticks can be a preferred chew treat for puppies, there may still be concerns about the recommended daily intake of bully sticks. How often should puppy bully sticks be given? A common concern among dog owners is overfeeding their pet.

The recommended number of bully sticks to feed puppies is one per day, maximum. Bully sticks contain a lot of protein, but they also contain additional additives that should not be consumed in large quantities.

Expert dog owners and veterinarians appear to agree that a maximum of one bully stick per day is appropriate. You can feed your dog up to 6 bully sticks per week without worrying about it. We advise taking one day off every week to give your dog’s gums, teeth, and digestive system a day of rest, which is why we recommend 6 bully sticks a week as opposed to 7, considering that 7 would be one per day.

But what are the possible negative effects of consuming too many bully sticks in a day, are they really that bad, and are there any benefits that make them worthwhile despite the risk?

Clubs Offering:

Bully sticks are a single-ingredient, easily-digestible chew treat made from beef muscle.

Unlike other treats, bully sticks wont splinter, and they even help clean your dogs teeth.

Bully sticks come in a variety of sizes and shapes to satisfy chewers of all inclinations.

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Chewable toys and treats are a great substitute to give your dog if he likes to chew and you often catch him snatching shoes off the floor or nibbling on the corners of the couch.

Bully sticks are a particular favorite among many dog owners (and puppies themselves). So what’s so great about these edible chews?.

Bully sticks aren’t just a healthy treat for dogs; they also give your pet something to chew on and have a number of health benefits.

Bully sticks, unlike some other chews or treats, are easily digestible. For some dogs, the beef hide in rawhide, for instance, can be challenging to digest. Bully sticks, on the other hand, are easily broken down in your dog’s stomach due to their high level of digestion. Additionally, unlike other treats, they don’t splinter, so you don’t have to worry about broken off pieces injuring you internally.

Bully sticks are the perfect treat for your dog because they are only made from high-protein beef muscle and have a high digestibility. A complete source of amino acids in beef supports the muscles, brain, skin, and coat of your dog. Bully sticks are a great chewing option if your dog has any allergies or sensitivities because they don’t contain any artificial chemicals, additives, or preservatives.

Bully sticks are helpful for maintaining clean teeth in dogs, though you should always maintain a teeth-brushing routine with your pup if you want to keep their smiles healthy. Tough chews are essential to your dog’s health because gum inflammation (periodontal disease) is one of the most prevalent diseases in dogs. Bully sticks and other chews help maintain healthy teeth and gums because the chewing and gnawing necessary to finish the treat removes plaque and buildup before it has a chance to adhere.

2018: A Major recall

In 2018, the FDA announced a major recall of thousands of bully sticks due to contamination with Salmonella. But Salmonella is not the only bacteria which has been associated with bully sticks in the past. A study in 2013 showed out of 26 bully sticks, three were contaminated, each with a different type of bacteria; Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Escherichia coli. Those are some dangerous pathogens!

A pizzle stick becomes dangerous when it is small enough to be swallowed whole. Since they are completely digestible, if it makes it to the stomach, there shouldn’t be any issues. But before it gets to the stomach, it could get stuck in the throat, which could result in serious choking incidents. Therefore, when it becomes small, take the last bit away.

Bully sticks are mostly protein, so if your dog has beef allergies, it will undoubtedly have a negative impact.

Bully sticks should not be given to dogs who are overweight due to these dangers as well as the fact that they are very high in calories.

Agitation Around The Gum Line

The agitation around the gum line that inevitably results from hours and hours of chewing on something as hard and brittle as bully sticks is the second reason why using the well-known bully sticks too much is bad for your puppy.

Although minor irritants are acceptable, your dog should never be pressed against the gum or constantly scratched. Here are 2 things to watch out for:

Such experiences are very painful. Your dog might love the flavor of bully sticks, but the act of chewing might become unpleasant to them due to all of the pain it has to go through. This, then, eliminates one of the major ways through which your puppy relieves anxiety. In very unlucky situations, not being able to relieve stress can lead to serious mental health deficiencies.

A more physical concern becomes prevalent when there are scratches and cuts in your puppy’s gums as a result of chewing on bully sticks too frequently.This is especially true for puppies, as they tend to have softer gums that are meant to harden over time. These cuts in the gum lines can easily lead to infections that can prevent your dog from eating and therefore discourage it from being active due to the lack of energy it would have.

You as a dog owner would undoubtedly want to avoid the terrible consequences of gum line agitation, which include cuts, bacterial infections, and, in severe cases, deteriorating mental health.

The digestive system is the last main factor to consider when deciding how many bully sticks to give your puppy each day.

Due to its developing digestive system, your puppy could end up experiencing serious digestive problems. Bully sticks also contain extremely high levels of protein, so if your dog isn’t used to digesting that much protein, it may experience vomiting or stomach pains.

If this occurs, we firmly advise that you visit a veterinarian to get a diagnosis as to why your dog is experiencing such stomach problems. Here’s what you should do if it turns out that your dog’s health is being ruined by a nutritional imbalance:

Make sure that your dog is not eating anything that is difficult to digest. This includes treats that your dog might love or, in worse cases, dog kebbles. Due to how high in dry carbohydrate dog kebbles are, they tend to not be the best source of food for sick dogs. Instead, look for boiled carrots and other variations of soft food that can help your dog maintain its nutritional levels all the while keeping them digestible.

Slowly ease him into exercising. Nothing too intense, perhaps a few minute walk around the block. Whenever your dog is sick from indigestion, walking always helps. It speeds up your dog’s metabolism, which means the puppy can finally digest all of the food as quickly as possible to recover quickly.

It’s crucial to know what to do when your puppy has consumed too many bully sticks so make sure you are prepared!

FAQ

How often can a dog have bully sticks?

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.

How long can dog eat bully stick?

Choose the appropriate size, then give your dog the bully stick for five to ten minutes. Because bully sticks contain a lot of protein, they may cause your dog to experience upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting if they are not used to digesting such large amounts.

Do vets recommend bully sticks?

Even the American Kennel Club advises using bully sticks as a healthy and safe treat for your dog. Bully sticks don’t splinter like many other dog bones and treats that resemble sticks, so there’s no chance that broken pieces will cause internal issues.

Does a bully stick replace a meal?

Bully sticks are calorically dense treats that offer longer chew times and are a great addition to your dog’s weekly routine, is the short answer. Bully sticks, however, are not a meal replacement because they lack a complete and balanced nutritional profile.