As the saying goes, “dogs aren’t our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” When it comes to your special pup, you’re likely always striving to give them the best — and their treats are no exception. That’s where bully sticks come in. Bully sticks are an increasingly popular choice for dog owners who want to give their pets a treat they’ll love while being great for their health.
Read on to learn more about bully sticks, their benefits and why they might just be the treat the dog in your life deserves.
What’s a bully stick?
Bully sticks are a single-ingredient, easily-digestible chew treat made from beef muscle. With only one ingredient, pure buffalo or beef pizzle, this tough treat is a favorite in the canine community. They can be smoked, baked or dried to form an incredibly durable stick that your dog will love to chew. Unlike other treats, a bully stick won’t splinter, and its simplified ingredients make it a much healthier choice than other options. Coming in a variety of shapes and sizes, they can satisfy any dog that needs a healthy and delicious delicacy in their life.
The Dog Treat That Has Everyone Barking for More
An alternative to rawhide
Rawhides have remained a go-to choice for dogs over the years. However, these treats aren’t as easily digestible. When large chunks are broken off and swallowed, there are high obstruction risks. Because they aren’t broken down as well in your dog's digestive system, these pieces will be forced to pass through in chunks. This isn’t always an issue, especially if your canine loves their regular rawhide treats. However, it might be a relevant problem to consider if you have a puppy or small dog that can struggle with a less-digestible option. In this case, it might be time for rawhide to take a back seat in your household while bully sticks take the lead.
How long do bully sticks last?
A valuable advantage of these natural dog chews is that they are long-lasting — in more than one way. While the length of time these natural chews can last certainly varies depending on the size and strength of your canine friend, bully sticks are typically pretty tough.
- A bigger or stronger dog can get a good 30 minutes of chewing time out of these treats.
- A smaller dog or puppy can generally get a few hours, and possibly days, out of a bully stick.
If that’s not enough, these healthy dog treats have an impressive shelf life as well. After bully sticks are produced, they can last up to two years or more. This means no matter how many of these natural chews you decide to get, they’ll be ready to go whenever your dog is ready for them.
Which bully stick should I feed my dog?
If you’re wondering what bully stick is the right choice for your dog, keep in mind these natural chews have a number of unique variations to consider, including:
- Length: ValuePetSupplies’ signature ValueBull bully sticks are available in lengths ranging from 0-3 inches up to 24-36 inches — with our 6-inch and 12-inch options being the most popular.
- Size: You can also consider a range of thicknesses as well, from the perfect small-dog delight of extra thin to our impressive super jumbo bully sticks for the big dog with determination.
- Odor options: While dogs are enticed by the smell of these natural chews, some humans aren’t particularly fond of the scent. At ValuePetSupplies you can explore odor-reduced bully stick options to keep you both happy.
- Shape: There are even different bully stick shapes to explore. These options include braid, ring, twist, spiral or stick forms.
Every dog is unique, so it can take time to find the bully stick that’s just right. However, it’s best to choose a size that will give your dog a good amount of chewing time. No matter what option you choose to get, these treats are something a dog of any breed, age or size can enjoy.
The Benefits of a Healthier Treat
Not only are bully sticks a crowd-pleaser in the canine community, but this single-ingredient dog chew is also an effective way to provide the dog in your life with a number of health benefits as a result. This includes advantages for their happiness and dental health! The benefits of bully sticks include:
Being easily digestible
With only one ingredient, this dog treat is typically more easily digested than other options, such as rawhide. This is important to help your dog or puppy avoid discomfort after chewing while helping to settle their digestive tract.
Removing tartar
Tartar builds up along the gum line, pushing your dog’s gums away from their teeth. As a result, the roots of the teeth are exposed, which means they’re no longer covered by enamel. Without this protection, their teeth are open to sensitivities which can quickly cause your dog unnecessary pain and discomfort. Chewing on bully sticks can be highly beneficial to their teeth, as this mechanical abrasion effectively removes tartar — ensuring they have the protection they need to avoid painful sensitivities.
Reducing bacteria on teeth
Dogs and clean teeth aren’t exactly synonymous. Keeping your dog’s teeth in great condition can certainly be difficult, but if these issues aren’t taken care of properly then the build up of bacteria and plaque can quickly lead to dental disease. Luckily, bully sticks act as floss for your furry best friend. Saliva is a dog’s natural way of keeping bacteria on their teeth to a minimum, and chewing on these healthy treats is an effective way to promote saliva in their mouth for a prolonged period of time — as a result of continuous chewing.
Promoting strong jaw muscles
There’s a good chance your dog loves to chew anything and everything, especially tasty treats. However, some chewing habits can quickly become destructive. Bully sticks help promote positive chewing habits that have beneficial outcomes — as they are not only delicious to chew on, but also lead to cleaner teeth and healthy jaw muscle development.
Stimulating the release of endorphins
Your dog’s happiness is always a priority, and chewing on bully sticks is a great way for them to release endorphins that are important for their mental health. Moreover, the simple act of chewing has a calming and comforting effect on the adrenal-pituitary axis of the brain. These dog chews are an effective way to release endorphins that keep your dog happy and energetic while calming their anxiety along the way.
With bully sticks, you can ditch the dog treats with chemicals and artificial ingredients for a healthier option that's just as irresistible. This tasty treat can keep your dog happy while promoting their dental health.
Keep the Dog in Your Life Happy and Healthy With Bully Sticks From ValuePetSupplies
Bully sticks are the natural chew that is great for your dog’s dental health and happiness, and if you’re ready to give your dog the treat they deserve, ValuePetSupplies can help. Our family-owned and operated business has enjoyed over 15 years of supplying and delighting customers with everything your pets need to stay lively, energetic and feeling their best.
Our broad range of bully sticks allows you to choose the specific thickness, features, length and shape you’re looking for — ensuring it’s the right fit for your dog. Moreover, you can rest assured that your dog’s health is our number one priority as all of our bully sticks are made without additives, chemicals or fillers.
Explore all of your options for bully sticks from ValuePetSupplies today, and feel free to contact us to place an order or to learn more about our products and offerings.
