Why can bulk natural chews earn more than branded treats? Because you buy them by the hundred and sell them by the piece. A 200-count pack of our medium 6" bully sticks costs about $1.99 per stick. Sell each one at $4.99 and you keep $3.00, a 60% margin, and you choose the price, not a brand.
Most shops know bully sticks sell. Fewer have done the per-stick math. This guide walks through it with real prices from our bulk bully stick packs, so you can see what each size can earn before you place an order.
How do you calculate margin on a single chew?
Two numbers do all the work:
- Cost per chew = pack price ÷ count. A $397.98 pack of 200 is $1.99 per stick.
- Margin = (shelf price − cost per chew) ÷ shelf price. At $4.99, that's ($4.99 − $1.99) ÷ $4.99 = 60%.
Run that for every size you carry and you'll know exactly which chews pay for their shelf space.
What does each bully stick size cost per stick?
Current prices on ValuePetSupplies.com, free shipping to US48 street addresses included. The shelf prices are example numbers to show the math, not suggested retail prices. Price for your own market.
| Pack | Pack price | Cost per stick | Example shelf price | Profit per stick | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Thin 6", 100 ct | $139.99 | $1.40 | – | – | – |
| Thin 6", 100 ct | $149.99 | $1.50 | – | – | – |
| Thin 6", 200 ct | $287.99 | $1.44 | $3.49 | $2.05 | 59% |
| Medium 6", 100 ct | $215.98 | $2.16 | – | – | – |
| Medium 6", 200 ct | $397.98 | $1.99 | $4.99 | $3.00 | 60% |
| Braided Thick 6", 50 ct | $199.99 | $4.00 | $8.99 | $4.99 | 56% |
| Jumbo 6", 100 ct | $425.98 | $4.26 | – | – | – |
Two things jump out. First, moving from a 100-count to a 200-count pack lowers your cost on every stick (medium 6" drops from $2.16 to $1.99). Second, the bigger chews cost more per stick but also carry bigger shelf prices, so the dollars per sale go up even when the percentage holds steady.
Why do bulk chews out-earn many branded treats?
- You set the price. A loose bully stick has no printed price or brand sticker for shoppers to compare against. You price it for your store.
- You sell by the piece. One bulk pack becomes 100 or 200 separate sales. Single sticks at the register are an easy add-on.
- One ingredient, easy to explain. "100% beef, nothing added" sells itself. Your staff doesn't need a pitch.
- Repeat purchases. Dogs finish chews. Customers come back for more, often weekly.
- Lower cost as you grow. Bigger packs, then a wholesale account, keep pushing your cost per chew down.
Which sizes should you stock first?
Start where demand already is. In the last 90 days, our two best-selling bulk packs by orders were the thin 6" 100-count and the medium 6" 100-count. Together they fit most small and mid-size dogs. Add a thick or braided option for big dogs and gift buyers once the first two are moving.
How do you protect your margin?
- Store it right. Keep bulk chews in sealed containers in a cool, dry, pest-free spot so nothing goes to waste.
- Reorder on sell-through, not on empty. Running out of your best seller costs more than carrying a little extra.
- Bundle. A 3-pack or 5-pack at a small discount raises your average sale without hurting per-stick profit much.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good margin on dog treats?
There is no single right number, but the math is simple: margin = (shelf price - your cost) / shelf price. Because single-ingredient chews like bully sticks are bought in bulk and sold by the piece, you set the shelf price yourself, which is what lets many shops build healthy margins on them.
How much does a bully stick cost wholesale?
On ValuePetSupplies, thin and medium 6-inch bulk packs work out to about $1.44 to $2.16 per stick, and big-dog sizes like braided thick and jumbo 6-inch run about $4.00 to $4.26. Approved wholesale accounts get additional pricing.
Do I need a wholesale account to buy bulk bully sticks?
No. Anyone can buy 50 to 200 count bulk packs on ValuePetSupplies.com with free shipping to US48 street addresses. A wholesale account adds wholesale pricing and 400-count packs.
Ready to stock up?
- Buy bulk direct, no account needed. Shop bulk bully sticks in 50–200 count packs with free shipping to US48 street addresses.
- Selling a lot? Approved resellers get wholesale pricing and 400-count wholesale packs. Apply for a wholesale account.
- Want your own brand on the bag? Tell us about your private label plans.
Our take
We started in 2004 selling chews one order at a time, so we know how much the per-piece math matters to a small business. Bully sticks have stayed our best sellers for years because dogs love them and the numbers work for the people selling them. Run the math on your own shelf price. We think you'll like what you see.
— The ValuePetSupplies family, Livingston, TN
Questions?
Call our Tennessee team at 800-825-8373 or email support@valuepetsupplies.com. We've been helping pet businesses stock natural chews since 2004.