Bully sticks are generally one of the safer chew options for dogs, but they do carry real risks: choking, intestinal blockage, hidden calories, bacterial contamination, and in some cases, chemical preservatives that shouldn’t be there. None of these risks mean you need to avoid bully sticks entirely, but understanding them helps you use them safely.
What Bully Sticks Actually Are
Bully sticks are made from a single ingredient: dehydrated bull or steer penis. The organ is cleaned, the outer skin is removed, and the shaft is dried using heat, freeze-drying, or in some cases sun-drying. The result is a hard, chewy stick that dogs find extremely appealing. Because they’re a dried animal product rather than a synthetic chew, they do soften as your dog works on them, which is part of their appeal and part of the problem.
Choking and Intestinal Blockage
The biggest immediate danger is choking. As your dog chews a bully stick down, it gets smaller and softer. At some point, the remaining piece becomes small enough to swallow whole, and many dogs will try to do exactly that. The stick can lodge in the throat or, if swallowed, cause a gastrointestinal obstruction that may require surgery to remove. Some dogs are especially prone to this because they find bully sticks so high-value that they’ll gulp the last piece rather than risk losing it.
The simplest way to prevent this is to use a bully stick holder, which grips the end of the stick and keeps your dog from accessing the final few inches. Without a holder, you need to supervise the entire chewing session and take the stick away once it’s been chewed down to a piece small enough to swallow. For most dogs, that means removing it when it’s roughly the length of your dog’s muzzle or shorter.
Calorie Count Is Higher Than You’d Think
A standard bully stick contains about 15 calories per inch, with some ranging as high as 22 calories per inch. A typical six-inch bully stick averages around 88 calories, but the range runs from 45 to 133 calories depending on the brand and thickness. For a 20-pound dog whose daily calorie needs might be around 400 to 500 calories, a single bully stick could represent 15 to 25 percent of their entire day’s intake.
This matters for weight management and for dogs prone to digestive issues. If you’re giving bully sticks regularly, those calories need to be subtracted from meals. Dogs with a history of pancreatitis or sensitive stomachs may not tolerate bully sticks well, since they’re a concentrated source of animal protein and fat.
Tooth Fracture Risk
Bully sticks soften as dogs chew on them, which makes them less likely to crack teeth than harder chews like antlers or nylon bones. That said, a fresh, very hard bully stick can still pose a dental risk. Some veterinary dental specialists recommend against hard bully sticks specifically because they can cause slab fractures, the kind of tooth break that often leads to extraction or root canal therapy. The risk is highest with thick, fully dried sticks and with dogs who are aggressive chewers. Thinner sticks or those that have been slightly softened with water are gentler on teeth.
Bacterial Contamination
Bully sticks are a dried raw animal product, which means they can harbor bacteria. A study published in The Canadian Veterinary Journal tested bully sticks and found bacterial contamination was a real concern. This matters less for your dog (whose digestive system handles bacteria differently than yours) and more for you. Handling bully sticks and then touching your face, or letting your dog lick you after a chewing session, creates a transmission pathway. Wash your hands after handling bully sticks, and clean any surfaces the stick has touched.
Chemical Preservatives to Watch For
Bully sticks should contain nothing but dried beef and water. In practice, some manufacturers add chemical preservatives to extend shelf life, and sodium metabisulfite is the one that has drawn the most concern. This compound is used in food processing but can be harmful to dogs, particularly with repeated exposure. The problem is compounded by poor labeling: many bully stick packages don’t clearly disclose preservatives. Look for products that explicitly state they contain no added preservatives, and favor brands that list only beef pizzle (or bull pizzle) and water as ingredients.
Safety for Puppies
Puppies can start with bully sticks once most of their adult teeth have come in, typically around 12 to 16 weeks of age. Before that point, their teeth and jaws aren’t developed enough for this type of chew. Puppies should weigh at least 5 pounds and should start with thin or “pixie” sticks rather than standard-thickness ones. Keep initial sessions short (around 5 minutes) and supervised closely, since puppies are especially prone to trying to swallow large pieces. For puppies with sensitive stomachs, soaking the stick in water for a few minutes before offering it can soften the texture and make it easier to digest.
How to Minimize the Risks
- Use a bully stick holder. This is the single most effective safety measure. It prevents your dog from swallowing the last piece.
- Supervise every session. Don’t leave your dog alone with a bully stick, especially the first few times.
- Match the size to your dog. Choose a thickness and length appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing style. A stick that’s too small is a choking hazard from the start.
- Count the calories. At 9 to 22 calories per inch, bully sticks add up fast. Reduce meal portions on days your dog gets one.
- Check the ingredients. The label should list beef pizzle and nothing else. Avoid products with sodium metabisulfite or vague terms like “preservatives.”
- Wash your hands. Treat bully sticks like raw meat when it comes to hygiene.
Bully sticks remain one of the more popular and digestible chew options compared to rawhide, antlers, or synthetic bones. The risks are manageable with basic precautions, but they’re not a “set it and forget it” treat. Supervision and the right size stick for your dog make the difference between a safe chewing session and an emergency vet visit.