The Top benefits of Bully Sticks for Dogs
The benefits of bully sticks for dogs
As pet owners become increasingly aware of the dangers that artificial dog treats can pose, a trend towards natural pet treats like bully sticks is emerging. These chewy treats, made from natural ingredients, provide enjoyment for pets and peace of mind for owners.
There are advantages to feeding your dog natural treats, not only for their enjoyment, but also for their health; bully sticks are single-ingredient treats full of natural goodness for a healthy, happy pet. Keep reading to find out more about bully sticks and the advantages of these natural dog treats.
What are bully sticks?
Bully sticks are a length of chewy tissue called pizzle, derived from bulls. Made with a single ingredient, these chews have a smell and a flavor that dogs go wild for. Tough and meaty, bully sticks are long-lasting treats that provide dogs with plenty of chewing time, keeping their minds – and mouths – occupied.
Available in a range of sizes, from around four to 12 inches in length, bully sticks are skinny, regular or jumbo in length and suitable for small, medium-sized and large dogs. Bully sticks are often straight but can be curly, knotted or braided.
What are bully sticks made from?
Bull pizzle is natural meaty protein, more specifically, it is dried bull penis. As off-putting as it sounds to humans, bull pizzle is a tasty and nutritious treat for dogs. The pizzle is collected from the slaughterhouse and cleaned thoroughly, before being dried in a heat chamber for at least 12 hours.
The chews are raw and fresh, as well as being completely organic. Bully sticks do not contain any artificial ingredients, additives, hormones or antibiotics, making them a safe treat your dog can enjoy without any ill effects.
What are the advantages of bully sticks?
Dogs enjoy treats but conscientious pet owners know that too many tasty titbits can be bad for their hound’s health. Bully sticks are among the healthiest options for rewarding your pet, providing just as much enjoyment as a standard treat you might find in the supermarket but without the artificial, low-quality ingredients.
There are many advantages to choosing bully sticks for your dog – here are our top seven benefits.
- Maintaining dental health
Chews are a useful means of cleaning your dog’s teeth, especially if they don’t enjoy having their teeth brushed. Some chews, however, are made with artificial ingredients that are detrimental to dogs’ oral health. Bully sticks are a completely natural way to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar, reducing the chance of cavities.
Additionally, these tasty treats can also help prevent gingivitis (bad breath) and related periodontal disease, which is characterized by inflammation and tooth loss. Periodontal disease is among the most common clinical conditions occurring in dogs yet is entirely preventable with effective dental care.
- Stress relief
Just like humans, dogs can experience stress in their day-to-day lives. Nervous or unsocialized dogs may find it stressful meeting other canines or visitors to their home, or struggle to cope when their owner is out of the house for a period of time.
Chewing on a bully stick provides a source of distraction for an anxious or stressed dog, giving them something to focus on for an hour or so and keeping them stress-free for a period of time. Bully sticks are also more hardwearing that many other types of treats, providing a longer chew time and shelf life.
- Gentle digestion
Because they’re made from 100 per cent natural ingredients, bully sticks are easy for your dog to digest and gentle on their stomach. There are no small bones to worry about or poor-quality content that can give your dog an upset tummy.
The beef pizzle used to make bully sticks is completely broken down in your dog’s digestive system – these chews do not cause worrisome blockages, unlike rawhide alternatives. They are also free from bleaching and chemical agents.
- Hormone-free
For decades, concern has been mounting over the use of hormones and antibiotics in dog treats. The animals from which many dog treats are derived are often fed hormones and antibiotics over their lifetimes to put on weight and keep illness at bay. However, these hormones can build up in pets who regularly consume treats containing these chemicals, which can result in illness, antibiotic immunity and even death.
Bully sticks are a single-ingredient chew, unmixed with any other ingredients and unfilled with paste. These chews are entirely natural and free from hormones, steroids, antibiotics and other chemicals.
- Low in fat, high in protein
Made from 100 per cent natural beef pizzle, bully sticks are strips of dried meaty muscle containing very little fat but plenty of protein. As such, they make great healthy treats for dogs – even hounds who need a little help losing weight.
Bully sticks are also rich in vitamins and minerals key to good health – calcium and magnesium are just a couple of examples.
- Made in the USA
Where your dog’s treats are made is important; chews from the USA are made with regulated ingredients, which is not always true of dog treats made elsewhere. There are also different methods of production in other countries, where chemical treatment is more common that refrigerated transport for shelf life.
In the USA, treats tend to be dried out in temperature-controlled ovens, rather than being sun-baked; sun-drying can cause extra hard areas that may break a dog’s tooth.
- Choke-free chewing
Choking in an ongoing fear among many dog owners who have ever see their pet pooch munch on a bone or other treat that has splintered, broken into bits or become lodged in the dog’s throat. Bones are no longer advised for dogs because they may break into bits and cause internal damage.
Bully sticks are a safe alternative to bones or other chews – even rawhide has been known to break into pieces and cause episodes of choking among dogs; being much harder to break into small pieces, bully sticks represent less of a choking hazard for a safer experience.
Want more information about the benefits of our all-natural bully sticks? You can read more here.