Bully Sticks
 

Are bully sticks a safe alternatives to raw hide & white chew bones I can get at supermarket and Target? Do Petco and Petsmart sell bully sticks?

I think they are better. I found some at Petsmart but those gave my dogs diarrhea. I order mine now from AMD here at YT. The result is much better! As a matter of fact, I just got an order today and both of my boys are quietly occupied.

How come the ones from PetSmart gave your doggie diarrhea? What are they made of?

I am not sure if it was whatever they were coated with or whatever the innerds were, but it was like picking up wet cement! I know, TMI. LOL I gave the leftovers to my brother-in-law for their big dogs. I will have to ask my sister if they had the same reaction.

I went into a pet store to buy a bully stick due to all the raves on this site. Two people in the store said they were not good for small dogs due to their small esphogus. Does anyone know this to be true, or not?

I think what they were talking about is when the bully stick gets down to the last couple of inches. I throw mine away when they get to that point so that they don't get lodged in their throats.

I've heard some dogs have gotten sick from bully sticks and flossies but I give mine "Merrick's" and have for 2 1/2 years without any problems.

I won't give mine rawhides (as most people know them) especially the white ones... they're bleached. I do give mine all natural - animals parts. Sounds kinda gross but.... I started off getting mine from the "Healthy Tails Pet Store" (they do not sell any animals). I still go once in awhile but I found that my two go through the flossies and they were getting very expensive. Now I buy the flossies online in a sealed box of 50.

Not all bully sticks are created equally; any company can use the words. I look for a product that has no preservatives, and is made in this country, because that means that the drying process has strict regulations. Drying has long been a safe preservative, but it must be done carefully. Some companies skimp on this and use preservatives, with expiration dates, and I would not feel as safe about giving my dogs these. Bully sticks are 100% digestible, and this means that no small pieces can lodge in the intestines and cause an obstruction, unlike raw hides that are not 100% digestible. It doesn't mean that they can't choke on them, and any chew stick should be carefully supervised, until you know your dogs, chewing habits. Gulpers, those dogs who swallow big things whole, should probably not have any time of chew stick.

I get my bully sticks online, and look for the Merrick brand, occasionally good prices can be found on E-bay and Amazon, if you buy in bulk. The Merrick brand is more costly than some of the others, but it's USA made, and no preservatives are used. They are extremely hard, and one 6-inch stick lasts all week. I think they do a great job at helping Joey keep healthy teeth and gums.

I have bought Bully Sticks at PetSmart and have had no problems. I always by the wrapped ones. However, they tend to be pricey. Suzi loves them , and she keeps quite entertained. However, She goes though just one braided in a day. not a week. I am on the hunt for her bully stick, she hid it, and i am scared that it is small, so I need to toss it. The little stinker. Anther thing about Bully Sticks is that they smell.