The Truth About Bully Sticks: Benefits, Risks and Top Canadian Picks
Looking for a long-lasting dog chew that’s natural, safe, and keeps your pup busy? Bully sticks might just be your (and your dog’s) new best friend.
If you’re wondering what bully sticks actually are, whether they’re safe, and how to choose the best ones in Canada—we’ve got you covered. Let’s break it down.
What Are Bully Sticks Made Of?
Bully sticks are made from 100% beef—specifically, dried bull penis or pizzle. No additives, no mystery ingredients. Just protein-rich, single-ingredient chews dogs love. And they’re fully digestible, unlike rawhide. Here are some other popular names for bully sticks: Bull Sticks, Bully Bites, Bull Pizzle Sticks, Pizzle or Bull Pizzle.
It was a bit concerning to see a research paper that stated that “many pet owners and even veterinarians appear to be unaware of what pet treats are made of, particularly in the case of bully sticks.”1
So we will try to rectify this gap in knowledge. Bully sticks are considered animal by-products since they come from beef penis. But unlike questionable by-products you might hear about in pet food, bully sticks are a single-ingredient, natural chew—no fillers, no nasties. They importantly take meat that is not going to be consumed by humans and fully utilize it for our dogs.
How Are Bully Sticks Made (And Why Do They All Look Different)?
Not all bully sticks are created the same—and that’s not a bad thing. The way a bully stick is dried, cooked, or shaped can change everything from its durability to how long it lasts for your dog.
Typically, high-quality bully sticks are slowly air-dried or gently baked at low temperatures. This helps preserve nutrients while removing moisture and bacteria. These are the chews that tend to be denser, tougher, and last longer.
On the other hand, some bully sticks are cooked at higher temperatures. These ones often look darker, more brittle, or even hollow inside. They’re usually more budget-friendly, but they don’t hold up quite as well if you have a strong chewer.
You’ve probably also noticed that not all bully sticks are actually… sticks. Some are twisted into braids, coiled into spirals, or shaped like rings, canes, or pretzels. These fun formats aren’t just cute—they make your dog work a little harder to chew, which helps with dental health and extends chew time.
So, whether your dog is a power chewer or more of a delicate nibbler, there’s a bully stick shape and density that can match their style.
Low or No-Odour Bully Sticks
High-quality bully pizzle are typically air-dried or gently baked at low temperatures. This slow dehydration method helps preserve nutrients while safely reducing bacteria. These sticks are often firmer, denser, and last longer for serious chewers.
But the way they’re cleaned and dried also affects how they smell. Bully stick brands that source fresh pizzles, immediately clean them and freeze them for later dehydration tend to no to low odour. The more moisture that’s left in a stick, the stronger the odour—and trust us, that moisture can pack a punch. That’s why you’ll see some bully sticks labeled as “odour-reduced” or “low odour.” These chews have been dried for longer, allowing more of the natural scent-causing compounds to evaporate.
“Odour-free” bully sticks aren’t truly scentless. It’s more like “less likely to knock you out on the couch.” Once your dog starts chewing and the saliva gets going, you may still catch a bit of that aroma—but it’ll be way milder than a full-smell stick.
Why Canadian Pet Parents Love Bully Sticks
- Natural & digestible: Unlike rawhide, bully sticks are safer on your dog’s digestive system.
- Great for dental health: Chewing helps clean your dog’s teeth naturally.
- Long-lasting & good for mental stimulation: Keeps chewers occupied and happy—especially helpful for puppies or anxious dogs.
- Odour-free options available: Yes, bully sticks can be smelly—but not all are! Look for no or low-odour bully sticks made with better drying methods.
Dental Benefits: Do Bully Sticks Actually Clean Teeth?
Chewing on a bully stick scrapes plaque and tartar off your dog’s teeth simultaneously boosting saliva flow. Veterinary experts confirm it aids in oral health—if chewing sessions are supervised.
A study from Rutgers found that “treatments were successful in reducing the amount of bacteria on a dog’s teeth with reductions in bacteria by 79.0%, 70.3%, 60.2% and 54.6% respectively for raw bones, brushing, bully sticks and VeggieDent chews.”2
Are Bully Sticks Safe for Dogs?
In general, yes—when used properly. Anything your dog chews can be a hazard. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Supervise chewing: Always keep an eye on your pup to prevent choking on small pieces.
- Choose the right size: A tiny bully stick isn’t safe for a large dog. Match the chew size to your dog’s size and chewing strength.
- Limit frequency: They’re nutritious but high in calories. Most dogs should only have one a few times a week. Limiting frequency also ensures your dog empties its bowels of anything that might still be in there so that there is no blockage or constipation.
- Bacteria: reputable brands have their bully sticks tested for E. coli or Salmonella. A study found that “The contamination rate in the current study [1 each (4%) contaminated with Clostridium difficile, MRSA, or tetracy-cline resistant E. coli] was relatively low but should be studied further.”
Are Bully Sticks Digestible?
Yes! Studies confirm that bully sticks are highly digestible, much safer than rawhide or nylon chews.
However, despite that, it doesn’t mean that you should leave your dog unsupervised.
Although a bully stick is made from meat, the process of mastication (chewing) breaks down food to prepare it for swallowing and digestion. It increases the surface area of the food, allowing digestive enzymes to help break down the food into smaller amounts.
If for example, you swallow a chunk of steak without chewing, you are likely to choke and feel uncomfortable until it winds up in your stomach. Almost as if you are having heart burn. The same thing happens if a dog gulps or swallows a bully stick, it is quite painful and uncomfortable.
Now, once it is in your stomach, it can take a while to fully digest and depending on the size can cause gastrointestinal blockage.
Keeping these in mind, here are our commonsense tips to keep your dog safe:
- Don’t give a bully pizzle to a dog that swallows or gulps food down.
- If you have more than one dog and they are competitive, keep them separate so that they don’t try to finish theirs quickly and try to take the other dog’s pizzle.
- Use a bully stick holder which prevents the end of the bully pizzle from being swallowed.
Throw the ends out as they can be unsafe. - Get a longer pizzle as they are tougher to chew and less likely to be swallowed.
- Supervise your dog during chewing.
- In the event of your dog swallowing a piece of bully stick, monitor your dog for discomfort, e.g. coughing, drooling etc. If your dog is in distress, contact the vet so they can run an X-ray and create next steps. If your dog is NOT in distress, monitor your dog for the next few days until it is pooped out.
How to Choose the Best Bully Sticks in Canada
There’s a big difference between high-quality and mass-produced bully sticks. Here’s what to look for:
- Single-ingredient & hormone-free
- Sourced from North/ South America or grass-fed beef
- Slow-dried (not smoked or cooked in oil)
- Odour-controlled (if your nose matters)
- No preservatives or bleaching
After working closely with many brands and listening to pet parents we’ve handpicked the best bully sticks that deliver on quality and enjoyment for your dog. Here’s why these brands stand out and we’ve arranged them from least or no odour to having odour:
Shop Nature’s Own Odour-Free Bully Sticks
Known for their natural, odor-reduced bully sticks, Nature’s Own focuses on consistent quality. Their sticks are freshly sourced, cleaned and slowly dried at low temperatures to keep them safe and tasty without that intense smell some bully sticks have.
In addition, Canada Food Inspection Agency requires that their bully sticks are tested for E.coli and Salmonella as they are imported from South American herds that range outside Amazon protected areas.
Shop Great Jacks Odour-Free Bully Sticks
Great Jacks offers durable bully sticks that balance value with quality. Their sticks are less smelly. They come in various sizes to suit different breeds and chewing preferences, making them a solid choice for everyday treats.
Shop Open Range Reduced Odour Bully Sticks
Open Range bully sticks are carefully processed to ensure premium quality and durability. These sticks are perfect if you want a longer-lasting chew with minimal odor. They’re made from responsibly sourced beef, supporting both your dog’s health and sustainable practices.
Shop Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Bully Sticks
Vital Essentials brings something unique with their freeze-dried bully sticks made from 100% grass-fed beef. These are ideal for dogs who are new to bully sticks, puppies, or seniors with sensitive teeth. The freeze-drying locks in nutrients but results in a lighter chew that isn’t as long-lasting—perfect for gentle, nutritious snacking. However, because freeze-drying is an expensive process compared to dehydration, these bully sticks tend to be quite pricier compared to their dehydrated counterparts.
Shop Puppy Love Canadian Bully Sticks
Puppy Love is a proud Canadian brand offering a variety of natural bully chews like their Beef Curly, Beef Barbell Chew, and Jr. series. Note that Puppy Love bully sticks are known for a strong odour which seems to really attract dogs. Each design adds a fun challenge to keep your dog entertained while promoting dental health by scraping away plaque and tartar. Made from Canadian beef with no artificial additives, Puppy Love chews are a wholesome treat your dog will love.
Which Dog Should (and Shouldn’t) Eat Bully Sticks?
Bully sticks are ideal for:
- Teething puppies
- Adult dogs that love to chew
They’re not ideal for:
- Dogs that gulp instead of chew
- Dogs on strict low-calorie diets
- Some senior dogs with dental issues
How Often Should You Give Your Dog Bully Sticks?
A few times a week is enough to reap benefits without overloading calories. Puppies and senior dogs need sizes that suit their teeth and chewing ability.
A research paper showed that “bully sticks could provide between 54 to 132 kcal for a 6″ bully stick and 108 to 264 for a 12″ bully stick.”1 In this case, “If the mean for a 6″ bully stick were used (i.e., 90 kcal), 1 bully stick daily would be equivalent to 9% of the daily calorie requirements for a 50-pound (23-kg) dog and 30% of the daily calorie requirements for a 10-pound (4.5-kg) dog.”1
This means that if you should reduce your dog’s food portions to account for the increased calories from bully sticks as these are supplemental to your dog’s meal.
Beef-Free Bully Sticks: Options for Dogs with Beef Allergies
If your dog has a beef allergy or sensitivity, don’t worry—there are beef-free bully stick alternatives.
One popular option is water buffalo bully sticks. They’re a tasty treat and can work well for dogs needing novel proteins. However, water buffalo bully sticks tend to be pricier due to limited supply. Plus, they often have a stronger natural odour compared to beef bully sticks.
Other natural bully sticks include lamb pizzle and pork pizzle. They tend to be smaller because they are from a smaller animal, but these novel protein chews offer a similar satisfying chewing experience while steering clear of common allergens.
Bully Stick Alternatives (Just in Case)
If bully sticks aren’t a fit for your pup, you might also like:
- Yak chews: Long-lasting, but from yak milk.
- Beef tendons: Great for joint support
- Dehydrated trachea or ears: Crunchy & fun
- Natural antlers: Odourless & ultra-durable
Bully Sticks: Frequently Asked Questions
- How Long Do Bully Sticks Last?
That really depends—every dog chews differently! Factors like your dog’s chewing style, the size and thickness of the bully stick, and their chewing enthusiasm all play a role. If you want a longer-lasting chew, bully sticks generally outlast softer treats like pig ears. In addition, braided bully sticks and thicker bully sticks tend to last longer. Over time, your dog can become a specialist for chewing so they may take less time compared to before. - How Often Should I Give My Dog Bully Sticks?
While dogs adore bully sticks, feeding them daily can add up in calories. To keep treats balanced, aim for every other day or a few times a week. This way, you can control calorie intake and still give your pup a satisfying chewing experience. - Can Bully Sticks Spread Bacteria?
Like any natural animal product, bully sticks can carry some bacteria. A small study found bacteria like Clostridium difficile and E. coli in a few bully stick samples. But don’t panic— adult dogs’ digestive systems handle bacteria much better than humans. Unless your dog has a weakened immune system, bully sticks are generally safe. Just like with any treat or food, good hygiene and moderation are key. Always wash your hands after handling a dog chew. In addition, choose brands that test for E.Coli and Salmonella.
Where to Buy Bully Sticks in Canada
We carry premium, low-odour, natural bully sticks in a range of sizes—from junior sticks for small dogs to 12″ braided options for power chewers. Shop online or visit us in-store at Moonlight Natural Pet Store (Vancouver, BC).
Always supervise chewing and ensure fresh drinking water is available. Your dog’s teeth (and your shoes) will thank you.
References
- Nutritional and microbial analysis of bully sticks and survey of opinions about pet treats by Lisa M Freeman, Nicol Janecko, J Scott Weese
- The Effect of Dental Products and Natural Chews on Canine Oral Bacteria by Lindsay Gallagher
