What are Bully Sticks?
Bully sticks are made from beef or steer penis which has been stretched and twisted, before being dried. The drying process is usually through dehydration, however sometimes they are baked or smoked instead.
Oral Health Benefits of Bull Pizzles
One of the main benefits that attract pet parents to bully sticks are the oral health benefits. Bully sticks are pretty tough, and will give even strong chewing dogs a good 30 minutes of chewing time. Smaller dogs may even get a few hours or days out of a bully stick. All that chewing is great for teeth, due to the mechanical abrasion which helps remove tartar.
Mental Health Benefits of Pizzle Sticks
In addition to that, chewing and licking stimulates a release of endorphins, which reduce anxiety and provide loads of mental stimulation. So if you have a dog with phobias or separation anxiety, bully sticks (or any long lasting chew for that matter) could help them.
Nutrients & Compounds
Bully sticks are pretty nutritious. They are primarily made up of protein (around 80-90%, and are low in fat (approximately 3%) and low in cholesterol.
Calories
Bully sticks are extremely high in calories. The mean caloric density of a bully stick is 15 kcal/inch, which means a small, 6-inch bully stick is approximately 90 calories! To put that into perspective, that could be anywhere between nine and 30 percent of the daily calorie requirement for a dog, depending on the size. That’s a lot for a treat.
Feeding Guide
Pizzles should only be given as part of a balanced diet. And since they make up a large percentage of daily calories, are not suitable as a daily treat. You might therefore wish to just give bully sticks on special occasions, or alternatively give a maximum of one or two a week. But remember, those calories need to be taken from somewhere, so on the days your dog gets a bully stick, give him less food in his bowl.