What Is a Bully Stick?

Bully sticks are popular chewing treats for dogs. They have many healthy qualities and are a safer choice than rawhide bones. However, not all owners are aware of what bully sticks are and some may not even know of their existence. Learn more about why and how your dog may benefit from chewing on bully sticks.

  1. Definition

    • Also known as pizzle sticks, beef sticks, beef pizzles, or more effectively referred to by merchants as "beef tendons or dried muscles," bully sticks are really the bull's stretched out and dried out reproductive organ.

    Procedure

    • The bull's penis is cleaned and allowed to dry in the air so to drain off fluids.Then it is stretched out, allowed to absorb a smokey flavor, and in some cases, the resulting stick is further braided or twisted.

    Characteristics

    • Once stretched out, bully sticks turn out to be of a hard consistency and around 40 inches long. They are then cut into smaller, standard sizes: 4 inches, 7 inches, 9 inches and 12 inches.

    Benefits

    • Perhaps the best characteristic of a bully stick is its durability. The stick is hard to chew and softens only with a dog's saliva. Dogs can gnaw on them all day long, while getting their teeth well scraped and cleaned.

    Conclusion

    • Bully sticks are a suitable choice for owners looking for long-lasting chewing bones for the family dog. They also do not tend to splinter or break in large pieces, which makes them a safer type of bone. Perhaps the only disadvantage is the fact that they can be more expensive than rawhide bones.