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12-14-2011, 03:48 PM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada
Posts: 304
| Bully Sticks - Salmonella?? Hey all! i have a question about bully sticks. i often see them mentioned in threads, and how much yorkies love them. I asked my vet about them and he advised against any bully sticks, pigs ears or hoofs because i run the risk of salmonella poisoning. He said the gets monthly emails where vets in North America trade information on heath issues. He told me he gets at least one email a month about a dog getting salmonella poisoning from the sticks/ears/hoofs! I know everyone on here cares so much about their little ones, so i wasn't sure what to think about this. i live in British Columbia, Canada, so i'm not sure if they have different regulations or techniques on this sort of thing. He mentioned that any dog treat that notes to "wash hands after handling" runs the risk of salmonella. i'm confused!! any thoughts?!? |
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12-14-2011, 03:50 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member | Our Chelsey got sick from Bully sticks. The best c hew treat is carrots my dogs love them and they are healthy.
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12-14-2011, 03:58 PM | #3 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada
Posts: 304
| Brew LOVES carrots. They are the one food item he never tires of. I swear he was a bunny in his past life. He gets sick of all his kibbles/treats/soft food if i feed too often. But bring on the carrots, snap peas and green beens!!!! |
12-14-2011, 04:06 PM | #4 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| I think there's certainly a risk of salmonella when feeding treats such as bully sticks, pig ears, etc. I wouldn't feed pig ears, they gross me out because they are always slimy and stuff, plus they are pretty fatty. With that said, dry dog kibbles are pulled for possible salmonella all the time. So it's all about what risks you are willing to take. Pay attention to where you get your bully sticks from and their country of origin. I'd never get bully sticks that have been sitting out in the pet stores like Petsmart, etc - they are not wrapped up, you never know where they have been, they typically smell terrible, etc. I prefer to order from places like bestbullysticks. There's a few brands I trust, I believe Moo! makes bully sticks and each are individually wrapped, but they are more expensive.
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12-14-2011, 04:17 PM | #5 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 466
| I'm with Britster. Buy the individually wrapped bully sticks from the higher end stores. My b/f came home with this pack of bully sticks that are "made in Canada". Oz didn't even get to finish one because it smelled like urine. Seriously GROSS (and the package DID say wash your hands after handling!!!! YIKES!!!). However, I buy the ones from Oly's, which are individually wrapped, and while they have some odor, it's not nearly as bad. I'm not sure of the brand but they're made in Brazil. I don't know... I'm so torn on the whole thing because I don't know if they're bad but at the same time Oz NEEDS something to chew on. He hates carrots.
__________________ David & Denise ... proud parents of Ozzy Last edited by DJDB; 12-14-2011 at 04:19 PM. |
12-14-2011, 04:39 PM | #6 |
T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England
Posts: 9,816
| I recently had an issue with bully sticks growing mold that I bought for a GE gift. Needless to say I got a refund and dumped the rest instead of giving them as a gift.
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12-14-2011, 04:45 PM | #7 |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | You could always microwave them for a minute and allow to cool before giving to you dog.
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12-14-2011, 06:32 PM | #8 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| I agree with your vet. I think it's important to remember that as much as people online are a great resource for what does and doesn't work for their Yorkies, they don't have access to the cumulative reports of vets in journals and such that are reporting these products to be a danger. And also, it's the opinion of a lot of owners that salmonella isn't a major concern for dogs. this is not correct. Soggy bully penis is bound to grow some nasty stuff as well as soggy pig ear, etc. Bullies have also tested positive for MRSA and clostridium seems to be a big one with them. We don't have them in the house.
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12-14-2011, 07:24 PM | #9 |
Donating YT 100K Club Member & Top YorkieTalk Poster! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: western KY
Posts: 108,935
| I only bought them one time
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12-14-2011, 07:58 PM | #10 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 466
| Ellie May has some good points.
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12-15-2011, 06:54 AM | #11 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Everything has some kind of risk. I try to buy made in the US ones and get them at a good place. Dog foods have recalls a lot anymore too and I'm not gonna stop feeding her dog food just try to be a bit picky about what I feed her. Without bully sticks Callie's teeth would not be in such great shape even though I brush them and there is no way she would survive being in her play pen so long after surgery. I still think even with that risk they are much better for dogs then rawhide and things made in china.
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12-15-2011, 02:20 PM | #12 |
My hairy-legged girls Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: lompoc, ca.
Posts: 12,228
| Bully sticks are not healthy at all. Can you just imagine what all they have to spray on these things to keep them from rotting on the shelf. I would never give my girls such a horrible thing. I give them beef femur bones to do their chewing on and I make their little bone shape crunchy snack. I home cook and they also get apples for snacks as well as dried fruits. I've never, nor will ever give raw meat.
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12-15-2011, 02:26 PM | #13 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada
Posts: 304
| Thanks so much for the responses. i'm glad i have stayed away so far. I just didn't want the little turkey to miss out on anything! he's lost his baby teeth other then his 4 canines which are now starting to double up, so i was tempted to get one for him to chomp on. (he's got a nylabone but you know how it goes with our babes, one toy is never enough) |
12-15-2011, 05:07 PM | #14 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals Last edited by Nancy1999; 12-15-2011 at 05:09 PM. | |
12-15-2011, 05:51 PM | #15 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Whatever Merrick does to make their bully sticks safe is lacking, imo. They have so many recalls. They are obviously doing something wrong. They also can't even really tell you maximum % fat on their treats, but I guess that's another thread. They are digestible. JMHO, the bacterial risk in animal products are overlooked and concerning. If they work for your pups, great. I'd just say as with anything, ask your vets about whether or not they are an acceptable chew. They are the ones that read incident reports from chews and such. And they are the ones that will have to fix problems caused by any chew you choose.
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