Are Bully Sticks Rawhide?

[Lovetodream88]

Bully sticks are not rawhide but they can break your dogs teeth one broke my babies tooth and cracked it down the middle so it had to be pulled.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Bully Sticks are disgusting, they are Bull's Penis, and I still can't wrap my head around the folks here who spend bucu$$$ on quality dog food, clothing, etc...hand feeding, and caring for their babies every needs feeding their dogs BULLS PENIS. GROSSSSSSSS

Oh, please, they're dogs.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Britster

Oh, please, they're dogs.

My issue with the 4% of bully sticks that were found to carry MRSA is not the dog, who can probably handle it, but owners and children who could be infected with drug-resistant bacteria. Imagine being bit or having a wound licked after your dog chewed on an infected bully stick. Plus there have been several posters whose dogs cracked their teeth on bully sticks.

[dottiesyrky]

As we see from the posts, there are many views on this chew stick, as there are also on foods in general. I read the review of bully sticks and it seems calories and contaminants are the main issues. As with foods we have to weigh the pros and cons for our own dogs, and the risk/benefit of using them. The calories can be controlled by limiting time with the chew. As for germs, could it be that most animal-part chews are also contaminated? It is said that the acid in the dogs' stomach is strong enough to kill most bacteria, and if true, the bugs should not be a problem? Again this depends on the dog and its gut reaction. Many dogs love them and the chews are helpful for calming and distracting them, and they are well tolerated. Personally, I do not use them for my dog as he tends to chew them up quickly before I can remove them, and I fear he will swallow and perhaps choke.
Another food dilemma, LOL!
Having just read the above post, I agree about the possible danger to humans, but as with all contaminated human and dog food we have to take precautions when handling.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by dottiesyrky

As we see from the posts, there are many views on this chew stick, as there are also on foods in general. I read the review of bully sticks and it seems calories and contaminants are the main issues. As with foods we have to weigh the pros and cons for our own dogs, and the risk/benefit of using them. The calories can be controlled by limiting time with the chew. As for germs, could it be that most animal-part chews are also contaminated? It is said that the acid in the dogs' stomach is strong enough to kill most bacteria, and if true, the bugs should not be a problem? Again this depends on the dog and its gut reaction. Many dogs love them and the chews are helpful for calming and distracting them, and they are well tolerated. Personally, I do not use them for my dog as he tends to chew them up quickly before I can remove them, and I fear he will swallow and perhaps choke.
Another food dilemma, LOL!

That's why I give nylabones to Bella. No calories, no contaminants, no MRSA, and no chipped teeth.

[chachi]

I have used the nylabones and they can chip teeth also. And unless they are the durahard pieces could come off and be digested. There is no completely safe chew

[dottiesyrky]

Chachi, I agree. I have heard bad things about the swallowing of indigestible Nylabone parts, causing obstruction and choking. Oh for the perfect and universally accepted food and treats!

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by chachi

I have used the nylabones and they can chip teeth also. And unless they are the durahard pieces could come off and be digested. There is no completely safe chew

I agree, almost anything can chip a tooth--even food kibbles. I use the nylabone variety that is impossible to chew pieces off of. Bella is a major chewer, and she hasn't made a scratch on her nylabone in 3 months. She is teething right now, and she brings her nylabone to me so I can hold onto one end while she chews.

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by pstinard

That's why I give nylabones to Bella. No calories, no contaminants, no MRSA, and no chipped teeth.

unfortunately I have never had a dog interested in a nylabone or any of the other non digestible chew bones, even the flavored ones. Lola gets a bully stick once in a great while and not for long period of times and only if we are in the room. I buy a fairly large size one and it lasts months and months. I have noticed when I would let her chew away for a long time and a day or two in a row she would have some looser BM's but for occasional use it seems to be OK. Good to know about that report though so I will make sure to wash my hands and be more carful with them.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by DBlain

unfortunately I have never had a dog interested in a nylabone or any of the other non digestible chew bones, even the flavored ones. Lola gets a bully stick once in a great while and not for long period of times and only if we are in the room. I buy a fairly large size one and it lasts months and months. I have noticed when I would let her chew away for a long time and a day or two in a row she would have some looser BM's but for occasional use it seems to be OK. Good to know about that report though so I will make sure to wash my hands and be more carful with them.

Isn't it funny how each Yorkie is different in what they like to chew and what they don't like to chew? It sounds like you're being careful with Lola, so that's good. And Bella won't chew on her nylabone unless I'm holding onto one end for her, so that allows me to monitor her chewing activity. On a related topic, how do people like those knotted rope bones as chew toys? Bella loves them too. Are there any danger issues with them? (Obviously, I'm careful that she doesn't pull off and swallow strings.)

[chachi]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Isn't it funny how each Yorkie is different in what they like to chew and what they don't like to chew? It sounds like you're being careful with Lola, so that's good. And Bella won't chew on her nylabone unless I'm holding onto one end for her, so that allows me to monitor her chewing activity. On a related topic, how do people like those knotted rope bones as chew toys? Bella loves them too. Are there any danger issues with them? (Obviously, I'm careful that she doesn't pull off and swallow strings.)

The strings are what you have to watch out for. We had someone on here have issues with them once

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

My issue with the 4% of bully sticks that were found to carry MRSA is not the dog, who can probably handle it, but owners and children who could be infected with drug-resistant bacteria. Imagine being bit or having a wound licked after your dog chewed on an infected bully stick. Plus there have been several posters whose dogs cracked their teeth on bully sticks.

That is also my problem with raw food!