Best Bully Sticks for Big Dogs and Chewers

Treating your dog is always fun and dog owners love being able to give their dogs something special. That’s why you might be looking for the best bully sticks. Bully sticks are great treats for Rottie’s as they’re designed to last, keep your dog entertained, and have other benefits like keeping their teeth clean. In this article, we’ll look at what’s important when considering bully sticks – there are a lot out there! – and we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the best. 

Best Bully Sticks Buying Guide

When it comes to picking out bully sticks you may want to consider each of these different factors. They’ll help you get something your dog will like and that will keep them healthy. 

 All Natural

The first thing you want to look at is the ingredients list of your bully sticks. Now, ‘list’ should be a misnomer, because you should actually find that there is only one ingredient in these sticks, the meat itself. And you want all-natural meat that will be better for your dog and help them to get the health benefits you’re looking for without the side effects.

All-natural generally means grass-fed, free-range cattle, but it definitely means non-GMO products and that you’re not getting chemicals, additives, or preservatives through the preparation process. Make sure you’re looking for this notation when you’re buying sticks for your dog.

 Size

Keep in mind the size of your dog when you’re looking for the right size of bully sticks. You want sticks that will last a little while, which means something that’s thick enough for your dog. Small dogs may do well with thin sticks or with shorter ones that will last them a few hours. On the other hand a larger dog will generally require a longer or thicker stick. This is also true of dogs that tend to be more aggressive chewers.

Make sure you keep an eye on your dog while they’re chewing these sticks so you can take them away if they splinter or if your dog gets a piece that is too small, which could cause a choking hazard. Also, this will let you know how long the sticks last and whether you want to size up or size down on what you’re giving to your dog.

Smell

Some people don’t mind the smell of these treats, especially since the smell comes naturally with the product. Others don’t want their entire house to smell like these meat sticks. So, take a look at different options and see what you can find. Some (including ones below) are labeled as being odorless and some do better with that claim than others. You’ll want to pay attention to the smell of the ones that you do get to see what you prefer.

Keep in mind that your dog may like the smell of the sticks and ones that have less of an odor may actually be less popular with your dog. You want to make sure that you don’t get something that’s so light that your dog doesn’t actually want to eat it or doesn’t recognize what it is. In general you won’t find bully sticks that are entirely odorless, but keep an eye on how your dog feels about them anyway.

Best Bully Sticks Reviews

We’ve found five top bulky sticks that we know your dog is going to love. All you have to do is decide which one is the best for yours. 

1. Best Bully Sticks Dog Treat Chew

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These bully sticks are designed with a single ingredient, which is 100% all-natural beef. That means your dog is getting a high quality snack while they think that they’re being spoiled. Not only that but the beef is grass-fed and free-range, which means you’re getting high quality meat that you can trust to give to your dog. The stick itself is also thick and tough enough to help with tartar and plaque buildup while giving a long-lasting treat.

At up to 50% thicker than standard bully sticks, this one will last a long time and it doesn’t include chemicals, hormones, or additives. Instead, it’s full of protein and vitamins with a low level of fat that your dog doesn’t need. Because it’s made entirely with beef it’s also fully digestible and doesn’t splinter. That means that it’s safer for your dog all around. Even your most aggressive chewers will have a great time with these sticks.

Pros

·         Up to 50% thicker for longer lasting enjoyment

·         100% all-natural beef

·         Fully digestible

Cons

·         Size of sticks can be quite varied

·         Not sourced in the US

2. GigaBite Bully Sticks

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Available in several different sizes to accommodate your dog, these sticks are roasted to provide just the right flavor profile. They also help cut down on plaque and tartar buildup and can be used with young and older dogs (and all those in between). Not to mention they are extremely chewy, to help improve jaw muscle strength and get your more aggressive chewers focused on something a little more productive. Not to mention they’re designed to be low on odor for the humans in the household.

Made with grass-fed, free range cows, these sticks are 100% natural, so you can feel good giving them to your dog. They are also handpicked, cut and inspected prior to packaging so you know you’re getting something that’s high quality. You’ll find absolutely no additives included in these sticks that are sourced directly from Brazil for the best possible flavor.

Pros

·         100% natural with no additives

·         Hand picked and inspected prior to shipping

·         Cleaned well to reduce overall odor

Cons

·         Not long-lasting for more aggressive chewers

·         Can still have a strong smell

3. Natural Farm Bully Sticks

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If you want 100% beef chewies for your dog then you’re definitely going to want to look at these. They’re made with grass-fed cattle and are entirely non-GMO and grain-free. Easy to digest, they’re great for just about anything from training to just using them as an overall treat for your pup. They are also slow baked in the oven to make sure that they are as healthy and great tasting as possible, but you won’t find any added ingredients here.

In fact, the beef is cleaned only with water prior to being baked and packaged. That means there’s plenty of nutrients in there as well. They’re designed to improve jaw muscle strength and reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Even better, the sticks are odor free because of the extra washing, which makes them better for your home as well. All you need to do is decide how you’re going to use them for your dog.

Pros

·         100% all-natural with no added ingredients

·         Eco-friendly company

·         Everything is made in one factory

Cons

·         Can be expensive for the size with larger dogs

·         Sizing between different sticks is not consistent

4. Nature Gnaws Thick Bully Sticks

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They’re made with only one ingredient, which means you’re getting something high quality and healthy, especially because the beef is properly packaged in the USA and monitored every step of the way. For smaller dogs or puppies they also do a range of great smaller sticks too, great for when your big dog is just a pup.

With these treats your dog will get fresh, quality chews that go through the company’s five-step process of material sourcing, irradiation, lab testing and hand packaging and disinfection each and every time. That way, you know what your dog is getting and you can be happy giving your dog something special. The ingredients here are globally sourced and the sticks are grain free and full of plenty of protein to keep your dog happy and healthy while they’re enjoying these treats. They’re also good for training purposes or just to spoil your pet.

Pros

·         Thin size for smaller dogs or less aggressive chewers

·         No added ingredients

·         Inspected and packaged in the USA

Cons

·         Smell is strong

·         Some sticks can be quite hard

5. Jack&Pup Bully Sticks

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These bully sticks are direct from grass-fed, free-range cows that are entirely non-GMO. Not to mention the sticks themselves are processed at a factor that’s USDA human grade certified and inspected. That means you can feel comfortable giving these sticks to your dog and your dog will enjoy them as well. Not to mention the sticks themselves are fully digestible and come with a guarantee that you won’t have any side effects.

Great for improving the health of your dogs teeth and gums, they are hand sorted to ensure the same thickness throughout the bag and they don’t splinter, even when your dog chews on them for hours. They’re also boiled, roasted, and smoked to get the best possible flavor but cut down on the odor. That means your dog is going to enjoy eating them but you will also enjoy the fact that they don’t smell too strongly in your home. No added preservatives, additives, or chemicals make them a healthy choice for your dog.

Pros

·         Fully digestible with lots of protein and low fat

·         Non-GMO cows are grass-fed and free-range

·         Boiled, roasted, and smoked for optimum flavor

Cons

·         Sticks are not always consistent in size

·         Not odorless as intended to be

Best Bully Sticks FAQs

There are always questions when it comes to choosing something new for your dog and we’re going to take a look at some of the most common ones that you’ll find. 

Can I give my dog bully sticks frequently?

You can absolutely give your dog these sticks just about as frequently as you want. A single bully stick each day can be just fine for them as long as it doesn’t make up more than 10% of the food that they eat in a day. This means you’ll want to get a size that’s compatible for smaller dogs so they’re eating enough regular food compared to these ‘treats.’

If you give your dog a bully stick each day they are going to get the health benefits that come with that all-natural meat product and they’re going to have plenty of vitamins and minerals as a result as well. If you’re using less high quality bully sticks, however, you may want to cut down on how often your dog gets them as additives and preservatives are not going to be healthy or safe for your dog in larger quantities.

Can I let my dog chew on a bully stick all day?

You may want to break up the amount of time that your dog is chewing on one of these sticks as it can get tiring for their jaw. Still, chewing on these sticks overall can help improve jaw and muscle strength and it gives them something to do at the same time. You’re going to have more for your money giving them larger sticks that last a longer period of time.

For dogs that are home alone all day you may choose to give them a bully stick that they can chew on throughout the day. They will likely not chew on it all day long, which means they’re going to have something to occupy their time but won’t get hurt as a result.

What is the danger of bully sticks?

The main problem with bully sticks is those that are lower quality may splinter, which can cause choking hazards or internal problems for your dog. Also, as the stick gets smaller it could become a choking hazard for your dog. Be sure you’re watching for any of these potential problems and taking the stick away if it becomes any type of hazard.

You want to make sure that your dog gets the enjoyment out of the stick without suffering from any health problems as a result of using it.

Find the Best Bully Sticks That’s Right for You

Make sure you’re choosing a bully stick that your dog is going to enjoy and that you feel comfortable giving to them. After all, they’re not all going to be the same and you want to be sure that you have something that tastes great and will benefit their health. 

About The Rotty lover 2159 Articles
My name is Dr. Winnie. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Duke University, a Masters of Science in Biology from St Georges University, and graduated from the University of Pretoria Veterinary School in South Africa. I have been an animal lover and owners all my life having owned a Rottweiler named Duke, a Pekingese named Athena and now a Bull Mastiff named George, also known as big G! I'm also an amateur equestrian and love working with horses. I'm a full-time Veterinarian in South Africa specializing in internal medicine for large breed dogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, 2 kids and Big G in my free time. Author and Contribturor at SeniorTailWaggers, A Love of Rottweilers, DogsCatsPets and TheDogsBone