There’s really no fighting it; dogs love to chew and gnaw on things to relieve their boredom. Chewing is an instinct for them that descends from their wild ancestors, but it also helps to keep both their teeth and gums healthy. The only problem with this behavior is that, if not directed towards the right objects, they could be damaging your personal belongings.

Those who have never heard of bully sticks are in for a real treat. These chews are popular among dog owners. Bully sticks are made from a single ingredient and won’t splinter and be dangerous for digestion. They also have a surprisingly long shelf life and keep your dogs mentally stimulated. While there are plenty of products out there, we have gathered some with the top reviews and listed them out to give you a few safe choices for your pup.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

The 8 Best Bully Sticks for Dogs

1. Best Bully Sticks Odor-Free Dog Stick Treats – Best Overall

Of all the possible choices, the Best Bully Sticks brand is by far the best overall bully sticks for dogs. They come in either 6, 12, or 8-ounce bags and are about 4 inches thick. The ridges on the shape help to clean teeth, and the 100 percent natural treats are high in protein and low in fast. They can withstand even some of the most aggressive chewers.

These treats are free from hormones, chemicals, preservatives, and other additives while still being packed with vitamins. They will not splinter and are made with only grass-fed and free-range beef. The one downside to these treats? They are very expensive.

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2. Downtown Pet Supply Premium Bully Sticks – Best Value

Finding the best bully sticks for dogs for the money is a bit of a challenge. When you have a lower budget, you often sacrifice some of the quality that comes with a higher price range. These bully sticks are an excellent budget brand with options ranging from five to 200 treats. While the meat isn’t free-range, they are made using all-natural and grass-fed beef without artificial flavors, chemicals, and preservatives. If you’re not sure about trusting them, they are made in USDA and FDA-approved facilities. They do have a little bit of an odor, but it’s nothing unbearable.

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3. Natural Farm Bully Sticks – Premium Choice

These bully sticks may have a higher price on them, but that is because they are made from grass-fed and free-range cattle without hormones, chemicals, or additives. They have a variety of chews available for all ages and breed sizes as well. The single ingredient used to make these sticks are only cleaned with water before getting baked to preserve all the nutrients.

These bully sticks come in a range of textures as well. Between rings, braids, springs, and bites, there are options for every dog and are the most effective at cleaning their teeth. However, they do come in inconsistent sizes at times.

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4. Nature Gnaws Beef Jerky Chew Treats – Best Bully Sticks for Puppies

The best way to get your puppy started on bully sticks is with this Nature Gnaws jerky. These treats are available in shorter lengths for puppies and have a softer texture for sensitive puppy teeth. They are high in protein and low in fat as well. We enjoy that the company is open about the five-step safety process that the treats go through before being packaged here in the United States. Unfortunately, these are only safe for puppies and will have to be used consistently if you want to keep their teeth clean.

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5. Jack&Pup Bully Sticks

These high-protein treats are designed specifically for medium-sized breeds. While they are not safe for puppies and small dogs, they are made from clean ingredients and are high in protein. They use grass-fed and free-range beef like the others, and there is minimal odor from them. They do not last as long as some other bully sticks and won’t clean their teeth as well, either.

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6. Cadet Gourmet Bull Sticks

This grain and gluten-free treat is better for small and medium dogs, even though they advertise for all dog sizes. Unfortunately, they just don’t stand up to some of the bigger teeth in large dog breeds. However, they are still a fantastic snack from good beef. They are far smellier than other options and do have a higher potential to splinter compared to some other brands.

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7. Pawstruck Straight Bully Sticks

These bully sticks are low in both fat and calories, so you won’t have to worry about giving your dog one too many treats. The natural formula is clean and perfectly safe for all dog breeds. The worst part about these bully sticks is that they are very smelly. They also have a shorter shelf life and tend to dissolve faster than other sticks. They aren’t the best for cleaning your dog’s gums, but they can work if you use them consistently.

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8. Barkworthies Odor-Free Bully Sticks

The last bully sticks to make our list are these odor-free sticks by Barkworthies. These sticks are relatively odor-free and made from grass-fed and free-range beef. There are also many different packs so you can buy the amount that fits your needs. The reason this brand is at the bottom of the list is because they have been known to splinter. They are also higher in fat and are very hard for some dogs to chew.

Buyer’s Guide: Purchasing the Best Bully Sticks for Your Dog

When it comes to buying dog treats, there are a lot of unanswered questions out there. There are so many reports of some treats making dogs extremely ill and giving them seizures. When you purchase bully sticks, there are a few ways to guarantee you are only buying high-quality and safe products.

The Benefits of Bully Sticks

Digestion

Bully sticks are made from beef muscle, and they are much easier for your dog to digest than other treats because of the clean, simple ingredient list. You don’t need to worry about allergies from grain or gluten. They also won’t splinter like rawhide does, which could pierce your pup’s digestive tract as it works its way through the body.

Chewers

Dogs are going to chew no matter what. Bully sticks are a great way to redirect their chewing to something that won’t damage the items in your house. The sticks sometimes come with different chew levels, from light chewers to heavy ones. There are also various shapes and sizes for you to try out and see which one your dog prefers.

Nutrition

What we love most about the nutrition of bully sticks is that they are typically all-natural treats with lots of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Steer clear of any bully sticks that have added hormones, chemicals, or other additives.

Tooth Health

Dogs get tartar build-up just like humans too. Instead of having to brush their teeth a few times a month, some people find that giving their dogs bully sticks is a simple way to keep their dog’s oral health up to par. We don’t recommend completely replacing brushing their teeth for them, but it’s a simple way to cut down on maintenance.

What to Look for When Shopping

Odor

There are a lot of dog treats out there with strong odors, and it isn’t uncommon for bully sticks to be awfully stinky. All bully sticks are going to have some sort of smell. The longer the meat gets dried, the less likely it’s to stink because of the lack of moisture. Even though many claim they are odorless, that could be a sign that they were washed with a chemical. Instead, try to avoid any chemicals and bear the smell if you must.

Type of Beef

Grass-fed and free-range beef bully sticks should be the only ones you’re even considering. Making these types of conscientious choices means that the meat was raised and treated properly. The term “grass-fed” also indicates that the beef is more likely to be human-grade and safer for your pet.

FDA and USDA Approval

The FDA does regulate dog food and treats to ensure that they are safe for consumption. However, that doesn’t always mean they are approving safe foods for our pets. When it comes down to it, the ingredients list and assurance that they have not been treated with chemicals, hormones, or preservatives is most important.

Conclusion

While there are thousands of reviews for you to look through, we have taken some of the top choices across the internet and shown you which bully sticks are safest for your dogs today. The Best Bully Sticks brand comes out as the clear winner in our eyes. Still, Downtown Pet Supply creates some excellent value options. For those who can afford to pay more, the Natural Farm bully sticks are a premium choice. With all this information, we hope that you find the perfect bully sticks for your dog to chew on throughout the year.

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Featured Image Credit: Iryna Imago, Shutterstock