Can anyone tell me about Bully Sticks?

Ginny01OT · 04-07-2008, 07:57 PM

I bought a twisted/braided bully stick flor Riley--I just want to be sure it is not rawhide--I heard it was part of a bull's lower anatomy--anyone know for sure as he is loving it very much but I will take it away if it is not safe....I am a rather new dog owner and just want to ask you guys, the experts...

Renoman · 04-07-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

I bought a twisted/braided bully stick flor Riley--I just want to be sure it is not rawhide--I heard it was part of a bull's lower anatomy--anyone know for sure as he is loving it very much but I will take it away if it is not safe....I am a rather new dog owner and just want to ask you guys, the experts...

'lower anatomy' is a polite way of saying it but yes, that's what it is...
unfortunately, like rawhide they do get soft with chewing and when they get small can become choking hazards. Not to mention the smell.... yeck!

briteday · 04-07-2008, 08:10 PM

To be more specific, it is the tendon from the lower anatomy. I don't like the smell either but if given a choice between bully and rawhide, I vote for bully.

The cheapest I've found them is one dozen 12" sticks at Costco for $20.

RBark · 04-07-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briteday

To be more specific, it is the tendon from the lower anatomy. I don't like the smell either but if given a choice between bully and rawhide, I vote for bully.

The cheapest I've found them is one dozen 12" sticks at Costco for $20.

Wow that's incredible. I've only found them $12 for a 24" stick.

cascabel · 04-07-2008, 08:25 PM

I love bully sticks as a safer alternative to rawhide. I just wanted to add that they don't all smell. I found a brand (Jones Gourmet) that has absolutely no smell and have stuck with that. I think I also remember hearing from someone else about another brand that doesn't smell, but I don't remember what brand it was! Maybe someone else will know if you are interested.

Ginny01OT · 04-07-2008, 08:28 PM

Well he is going to town on it right now so I won't take it away yet, I am supervising but I have to say this one does smell--peeew

jesirose · 04-07-2008, 09:02 PM

What is bad about rawhide?

And are you guys implying what I think you are? Why would anyone even think to give that to another animal to chew on? LOL.

briteday · 04-07-2008, 09:10 PM

jesirose...

Rawhide is processed, bleached, and chemically treated. It does not digest in the gut, rather just passes through, hopefully. There are numerous cases of rawhide causing impactions in the intestines of dogs.

Yes, we are implying just that...the penis of a bull. Dogs don't care. After all they sell pig ears/snouts/tails, cow hooves, etc. Dogs just don't care as long as they have something to chew on.

Ginny01OT · 04-07-2008, 09:21 PM

Also my dog had very bad ear infections, one of the things I was told to avoid was rawhide--he is now going to be two and hasn't had an ear infection in 18 monrhs--the vet is amazed and pleased

thevelvetsnoot · 04-07-2008, 09:35 PM

The Flossies don't smell- I sell them on my website- TONS of them. The dogs love them and the don't smell- I cut them in half with my pruning shears so I don't have to worry about them choking, plus they last longer! They pricey tho- I'll give a 20% discount to dogforum people- just let me know. Check out ***unauthorized advertising*** and go to Treats. Get the small size tho, they are just about the same size and much cheaper..

) Amy

jesirose · 04-08-2008, 08:50 AM

LOL well I am sure the dog doesn't care I just think it's funny. Hey at least it's not going to waste. I think it's weird that they sell pig's ears and that stuff too though

So if they chew the bully sticks and eat them, it won't hurt their stomach? Or do they not actually eat those?

I gave Sadie some rawhide but I will throw them out, I didn't realize they were bad. She loves chewing on things so I am trying to find what is safe for her so I have things to redirect her from chewing on my chair.

luv4gsds · 04-08-2008, 11:43 AM

My dogs really enjoy those bully sticks, they also enjoy beef tracheas.

briteday · 04-08-2008, 11:45 AM

Whatever they manage to swallow from the bully stick is digestible. It is less processed than rawhide. And it doesn't go soft fast enough for them to ingest a whole bunch in a short period of time. They really have to work at it to wear it down.

jesirose · 04-08-2008, 01:55 PM

Thanks - I tossed out the pack of rawhide. She does eat them pretty fast so I will get some Bully Sticks instead. We have a costco. She likes the healthy edibles from Nylabone too but it says on them they are 100% digestable.

This forum rocks

MarleyBoy · 04-09-2008, 12:35 PM

Marley loves them and retreats into his bed to eat them and will not move until it's done. But the smell is awful! We get a 12" 25 pack for about $42 online (I think it's called Best Bully sticks, or something like that). The flossies have been much better smell-wise, but they don't last as long for Marley.

jesirose · 04-09-2008, 09:52 PM

I got a bag of bully sticks today and also got some other bone stuff. She is having a ball. Thanks guys! I feel so bad for not researching it better but I asked my vet what things she thought were okay so I wouldn't get anything bad.

xnqg38a · 04-10-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginny01OT

I bought a twisted/braided bully stick flor Riley--I just want to be sure it is not rawhide--I heard it was part of a bull's lower anatomy--anyone know for sure as he is loving it very much but I will take it away if it is not safe....I am a rather new dog owner and just want to ask you guys, the experts...

Well, it is the lower half, so that makes it a muscle. A bully stick is a bull's penis that has been stretched and dehydrated. I have bought from at least 10 different suppliers online. The problem is with the smell. 90% of the product out there has a very strong smell. Very few suppliers have odor free sticks. The two major suppliers have a foul odor.

The reason for the odor is that they are dried horizontially in the sun and do not drain properly. This not only causes a foul smell, but traps bacteria also. The odor free ones are dried vertically and usually in an oven that brings them up to a temperature to kill bacteria. This makes them virtually odor free compared to the other sticks.

The majority of the sticks come from India and China and stink really bad. The place you want them from are South America where the quality of beef is the highest in the world with no antibiotics or hormones are used.

Dogs love them because they are an all natural product and almost 100% protein with no fat. It also keeps dog very busy and active in their chewing. This is especially good if your dog roams around and chews on things out of boredom. THis focuses their attention and actually tires them out, in a healthy way.

If you find a good product it is best to stick with that supplier. The odor free product should be a little more expensive, but you should be able to find it online for less than half of retail.

I use http://www.bullystickdirect.com

LaxBoy · 08-14-2008, 06:02 PM

the best place on the internet to get them is best bully sticks, they offer free range South American Bully Sticks and a wide variety of other all natural dog chews. Their prices are the best and the product quality is the highest in the industry!

heidiann · 08-14-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv4gsds

My dogs really enjoy those bully sticks, they also enjoy beef tracheas.

I've never given our two bully sticks, but they LOVE tracheas!! We get them each one a couple times a month...whenever we shop for their raw food.

lucygoose · 08-14-2008, 10:26 PM

Hi, and I too use the odor free ones.....There is only one place around here that I have found that have them.....I made the mistake of trying one from Pet Supplies Plus.....OMG.....I could not handle the smell at all....LOL

Good Luck!