Dogs are no more treated as animals, but, are loved and cared as family members. This love and care reflects in dog care too. Most people strive to give the best for their pet dogs. Right from dog food to medical care, everything is well taken care of. They also get the best possible dog treats, which are now available in various forms. Dog treats are one of the most sought-after things and most of the supermarkets are flooded with different types of dog treats. Apart from satisfying the taste buds of dogs, these treats are used as a tool for dog training too. You can make them learn to obey commands by offering them a treat every time they learn a new command.

While some of the dog treats are soft and chewy, others include freeze-dried and jerky treats, raw hides and dental chews. Some dog treats are hard and chewy and aid in cleaning the dog's teeth. There are some treats, which are aimed at promoting the digestive health of dogs. Even medicines like antibiotics and pain killers are added to some treats. One such hard and chewy treat is bully sticks, which are otherwise known as beef pizzles, pizzle sticks, beef sticks or steer stix.

What are Bully Sticks?

Bully sticks for dogs are long-lasting and chewable, natural treats, which are digestible and low in fats. It is commonly believed to be made of dried beef muscles and tendons, in reality, bully sticks are made of bull penises. This fact may upset some customers and so, it is not revealed so often. However, this dog treat is found to be healthy and is also effective as chew toys. In order to make bully sticks, bull penises are cleaned and hung in the air so as to drain the fluid. Then they are stretched, braided or twisted and smoked to add flavor. The resultant product look like thin brown sticks. The bull penis, which had a length of about 25 inches, before processing, measures up to 40 inches, after processing. It can be cut into small pieces of different sizes. Bully sticks for dogs are now available in variable lengths, ranging between 4 inches to 30 inches. The most sought-after bully stick types is the one which is 4 inches in length.

Are Bully Sticks Safe for Dogs?

They are claimed to be one of the safest chewable treats for dogs, as they are mostly 100% natural and do not contain any additives, preservatives or other chemicals. Chewing these natural bully sticks keeps the dog's teeth clean and healthy. This helps in preventing tooth and gum diseases and at the same time, satisfying the dog's urge to chew. According to the manufacturers, bully sticks for dogs contain proteins and amino acids that aid in preventing many dog illnesses. Apart from that, it is one of the longstanding chewable treats for dogs, as a dog can spend almost a day chewing a bully stick. As compared to bones, bully sticks are safer, as there is no chance of splintering. However, it will be better to supervise puppies, if they are given bully sticks. They may swallow large chunks, which may cause choking or intestinal blockage. Otherwise, avoid giving bully sticks to puppies and small dogs.

In short, bully sticks for dogs are considered safer for canines. It is also longstanding and healthy. Above all, your dog will love this treat. However, you can seek the opinion of the vet, before administering bully sticks to your dog.