Question about bully sticks and diet

[LittleJade39]

Gizmo had his yearly vet appt this past Saturday and he got a little chunky over the winter! He weighs in at 11 1/2lbs! My vet told me he should be around 8 lbs. to be at a healthy weight. My question is about bully sticks. I know they are good for him to chew on and he has about one bully stick a day, is this ok if he's on a diet? Are they fattening? Thanks in advance!

[Zeus08]

He eats an entire bully in one day?

[Ellie May]

It looks like for one popular brand, they are 29 calories per inch.
His optimal calorie intake should be calculated and then his food and treats sholdn't exceed that amount (now less than that amount since he needs to lose wieght). This will vary by dog, so it's important to feed to a good body condition. Whatever the case, one bully stick is day is way too much.

[LittleJade39]

Originally Posted by Zeus08

He eats an entire bully in one day?

Haha! Oh yeah! Sometimes its gone within a couple hours!

[LittleJade39]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It looks like for one popular brand, they are 29 calories per inch.
His optimal calorie intake should be calculated and then his food and treats sholdn't exceed that amount (now less than that amount since he needs to lose wieght). This will vary by dog, so it's important to feed to a good body condition. Whatever the case, one bully stick is day is way too much.

Ok, great! That' what I needed to know. Thank you.

[Zeus08]

Originally Posted by LittleJade39

Haha! Oh yeah! Sometimes its gone within a couple hours!

You've got a strong chewer on your hands! Zeus takes about a week to finish one depending on how often he chews on it.

Well better a bullystick than your shoes or furniture

[moosie's mom]

Originally Posted by LittleJade39

Gizmo had his yearly vet appt this past Saturday and he got a little chunky over the winter! He weighs in at 11 1/2lbs! My vet told me he should be around 8 lbs. to be at a healthy weight. My question is about bully sticks. I know they are good for him to chew on and he has about one bully stick a day, is this ok if he's on a diet? Are they fattening? Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by Zeus08

He eats an entire bully in one day?

Ha, ha....My Moose (14 plus) will eat a 6 or 7 inch in about 15 minutes and Mimi (9 lbs) will eat a 6 or 7 inch in about a 1/2 hr!!

I now buy the 12 inch thick ones (when I can get them ) and they will chew on them for about an hour. I then take them way and put them in the freezer for a different day. That bully will last for about 3 chewing sessions

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

have you tried the himalayan dog chews? they will last a lot longer than bully sticks, dogs seems to take to them since they are 100% natural cheese.....but it does it's job....keeps them busy and cures the urge to chew! hehe

[Britster]

Wow! Jackson is 12lbs and I buy the 12 inch ones from Pet Valu and they generally last about a week, sometimes more. Either he's not an aggressive chewer, or they're really good bully sticks! lol. He loves the Himalayan chews as well and they last us a lot longer.

[LittleJade39]

Oh yeah, himalayan chews last about two days! I'm just worried about the fat content in these chews. (Gizmo needs to lose some weight!) How often is good to givethem to him and what can I give him to curb his chewing when he can't have them (that will keep him occupied during the day)?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by LittleJade39

Oh yeah, himalayan chews last about two days! I'm just worried about the fat content in these chews. (Gizmo needs to lose some weight!) How often is good to givethem to him and what can I give him to curb his chewing when he can't have them (that will keep him occupied during the day)?

Hmmm, well, they have those natural bones you can get at Petsmart or Petco. They're all white and have a big hole in them. They're all natural and they literally will last you years. Dogs can't chew pieces off of them. But you can put anything you want inside of them to keep them busy. I bought one for Jackson and stuffed some cheese in there and he loved it. But if you have a dog that loves to chew, these could work.

Dentley's Sterilized Beef Bones - Prime Cuts - Rawhide & Chews - PetSmart