Bully Stick

[jfalz73]

They do stink! But oh how they love em!!!

[mygirldarla]

lol! I know. What about the flossies, are they made of the same thing or are they made of something else? Cause i'm going get her one next week from the pet store cause they are ordering some!! Do they smell like that too??

[chachi]

Originally Posted by mygirldarla

lol! I know. What about the flossies, are they made of the same thing or are they made of something else? Cause i'm going get her one next week from the pet store cause they are ordering some!! Do they smell like that too??

They are made of the same thing

[mygirldarla]

So they stink the same way??

[chachi]

They have a smell but I dont think it is as strong as the bullys. I dont know why though since its the same thing

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by mygirldarla

lol! I know. What about the flossies, are they made of the same thing or are they made of something else? Cause i'm going get her one next week from the pet store cause they are ordering some!! Do they smell like that too??

Merrick refers to this as "tendons" as in muscle tendon, and both Bully Sticks and Flossies are made from tendons. The flossies look like smaller pieces just braided together. I imagine they don't stink as much because there is less surface area to get moist and cause the smell. Here's a link. Merrick Pet Foods - Dog Treats Tendons

[Miss Magoo]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

It's weird because they seem to have such a strong odor when we first got them, but I bought a years supply and now coming up on the second half of the year, they don't smell very much at all. We live in AZ and it's very dry, I think that may have something to do with it.

I have to ask, how are you storing them to keep them that long? I would rather order a large quantity now than run out of them later but wanted to make sure they stay "fresh"? Even if they smell bad I will suck it up for Bella.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Miss Magoo

I have to ask, how are you storing them to keep them that long? I would rather order a large quantity now than run out of them later but wanted to make sure they stay "fresh"? Even if they smell bad I will suck it up for Bella.

I've only purchased the Merrick's brand, and there is no expiration date on them. They are a smoked product, and as you probably know, smoking preserves meat, without using chemicals. I have read of other brands that do have expiration dates, and also of some being imported from China, which has certain quality control issues. Merrick says that their product is made in the United States.

[Miss Magoo]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I've only purchased the Merrick's brand, and there is no expiration date on them. They are a smoked product, and as you probably know, smoking preserves meat, without using chemicals. I have read of other brands that do have expiration dates, and also of some being imported from China, which has certain quality control issues. Merrick says that their product is made in the United States.

I'm going to have to check into them then. I picked up a sample pack from the petstore here and they have an expiration date so I will be making a change.

Thanks

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Miss Magoo

I'm going to have to check into them then. I picked up a sample pack from the petstore here and they have an expiration date so I will be making a change.

Thanks

Someone posted a thread about her dog getting sick after eating an expired "bully stick". Apparently, any company can use that name, so it's wise to be cautious.

[mygirldarla]

Oh we were wondering if it would hurt her if it was expired b/c it doesn't have a date so we didn't know b/c we got it from a little pet store in our town. but it has a tag on it that says Merrick Bully Stix.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by mygirldarla

Oh we were wondering if it would hurt her if it was expired b/c it doesn't have a date so we didn't know b/c we got it from a little pet store in our town. but it has a tag on it that says Merrick Bully Stix.

No, as I said earlier Merrick does not have an expiration date. Theirs is a smoked product, and smoking is an excellent preservative, if done properly. Things that have been smoked will last years and years and no refrigeration is needed. So don't worry, it should be safe.

[mygirldarla]

Thank you so much for all of the info. It`s so nice to be able to ask questions on here & get answers from someone that knows!! We`re new at all of this so your help is greatly appreciated!!!

[Erin]

Some bully sticks stink more than others. "Steer sticks" smell worse than "bully sticks" although Merrick bully sticks are actually steer sticks, which is why they smell so bad. Bully Stick Jr's are also steer sticks. The other two brands I carry (the "premium" sticks - USA - and the "free range" sticks - Brazil) are actual bully sticks that have a much less offensive odor. They smell but they don't stink up the room or the furniture. I've also found bully sticks to be denser and last longer than steer sticks. Flossies are steer sticks which is why they stink.

I store them in airtight food safe containers.

[mygirldarla]

That`s what we have is the Bully Stix Jr.