What Is a Bully Stick Dog Treat?

The pet food industry "serves an important ecological function by using up food that would otherwise be thrown out," claims nutritionist Dr. Marion Nestle in a "New York Times" article. The same goes for dog chews and treats, such as bully sticks, also called pizzle treats. Bully sticks are made from the penis of an animal, usually a bull.

  1. Function

    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service lists two use categories for animal penises, or "pizzles." They are used as a variety meat or aphrodisiac, and are imported as Asian medicinal products or are imported for pet chews as pet food. Some U.S. bully treat suppliers use domestically sourced pizzles obtained from bulls and occasionally buffalo.

    Benefits

    • Bully sticks are tough and long-lasting treats for dogs. They can be used to keep a home-alone dog occupied or as a chew for teething puppies or other dogs that like to chew. Because they have a slight natural odor, some manufacturers also produce "odor-free" bully sticks. According to online suppliers like Best Bully's, these have been dried longer than other bully sticks so the moisture content is lower.

    Considerations

    • Bully sticks are a little more expensive than rawhide chews, although they tend to last longer for most dogs. Compared to smoked bones sold for dogs to chew on, they are softer and less likely to chip or break a dog's teeth.

    Warning

    • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued at least one warning about bully sticks. In 2007 they found that American Bullie brand bully sticks were identified as possibly being contaminated with salmonella. However, possibly contaminated dog chews are not an uncommon occurrence. The FDA recommends washing your hands after handling dog treats and being alert for signs of food poisoning in your dog, such as lethargy, diarrhea or vomiting.

    Types

    • Bully sticks are available in a variety of forms and sizes from 3-foot-long sticks for large dogs to braided or spiral bully chews in a range of sizes suitable for the smallest Chihuahua to the largest Great Dane. Some manufacturers sell them dipped in carob and other flavored coatings.