Your dog is going to be head over paws once you give them their bully stick. It’s great for you because there is nothing better than giving them healthy dog treats — and your dog is sure to be over the moon because the taste and texture is hard to put down.
There lies the issue. Sometimes, your dog doesn’t know when to stop chewing on their bully stick. This is especially true with long-lasting dog bones, which are meant to be savored over time.
Do you know when to take a bully stick away from your dog? Here’s your answer.
Bully sticks are preferred over other dog treats due to being made of beef muscle — no harmful toxins, chemicals, or pesticides included, so they don’t splinter like traditional chews. Along with the dietary benefits, bully sticks promote positive dental health. Your dog can scrape plaque and tartar off their teeth on the stick's hard surface while they chew.
That’s one of the primary reasons why your dog should savor their bully stick. On the other hand, they shouldn’t rush for the sake of their digestive health. While bully sticks are healthy for them, it’s never safe for your dog to eat too fast.
So when do you take a bully stick away from your dog?
The simple answer: take a bully stick away when it becomes small enough to swallow whole. As a general rule, remove the bully stick when it reaches about two to three inches in length.
Bully sticks for dogs are a great chew, as the nutrition of the highly-digestible beef muscle is excellent for their health. However, there are risks involved if your dog swallows a large chunk of a bully stick — or all of it at once.
The biggest health risk is that large chunks are choking hazards. But they can also lead to gastrointestinal issues, whether the chunk cannot be properly digested or if it simply gets lodged inside of your dog’s stomach. At two to three inches, most dogs can swallow the remaining piece whole, which creates a choking risk.
Your dog's size matters when deciding when to take away a bully stick. A piece that's safe for a Great Dane might be dangerous for a Chihuahua, so adjust the size threshold based on your dog's breed and build. However, you know your dog and how they eat.
Watch your dog's chewing style closely. Aggressive chewers who gulp their treats need earlier intervention than dogs who methodically gnaw. If your dog is the type that will swallow whatever you put near them, take the treat away once it gets to a “swallowable” size. If your dog is the type that will chew and chew but doesn’t swallow their edible treats as is, they should be safe to enjoy it as it is.
But the best thing you can do is to supervise your dog when giving them their bully stick, especially for the first few times. See how they react to the first few and decide whether they’re safe chewing on it by themselves. However, you can also invest in a bully stick holder that will grip onto the bully stick, preventing your dog from swallowing it whole. These holders grip the end of the stick, preventing your dog from accessing the last few inches and letting them enjoy the entire chew safely.
Knowing when to take away a bully stick is one thing, but actually removing it from your dog can be tricky. Some dogs guard their chews and may become possessive when you approach.
The best approach is teaching the "drop it" command early. Practice this with less valuable items first, rewarding your dog when they release things on command. When it's time to remove the bully stick, use your command and immediately offer a high-value treat in exchange. This creates a positive association rather than making your dog feel like something is being stolen.
If your dog hasn't learned "drop it" yet, try distraction techniques. Offer another treat or toy to redirect their attention, then quickly remove the small bully stick piece while they're focused on the new item.
Never forcefully grab a chew from your dog's mouth. This can damage the trust between you and may even result in an accidental bite if your dog reacts defensively. Patience and positive reinforcement work better than confrontation.
If you’ve ever had a puppy, you know how much they love to chew on anything and everything. Bully sticks are a great option for puppy owners, as it will give you something healthy for your puppy to chew on while leaving your new couch safe.
Bully sticks are safe for your puppy to chew on, but, like anything with a young dog, you should keep an eye on them while they do it. By supervising them, you can make sure they don’t literally bite off more than they can chew.
If you have a senior dog, you might also be wondering whether a bully stick is right for them. The diets of senior dogs need to be watched closely, and bully sticks fit perfectly into it.
Like with your puppy, you should keep an eye on your dog while they eat, although they’re bound to have less problems. It will be a nice challenge for a senior dog, something they can chew on throughout the day or across two days. Plus, the gentle nature of bully sticks will be comfortable on their teeth, compared to traditional chews.
If your dog swallowed a bully stick whole, it might be smart to take your dog to the vet — or to call your vet and get their opinion on the matter. While bully sticks are highly digestible chews, they should only be consumed in appropriate, bite-sized pieces.
Otherwise, if they swallowed a large chunk, make sure to keep your eye on them for the next day or two. Watch out for any signs of gastrointestinal emergency or choking. If you notice this, act immediately.
Want to avoid them swallowing their bully stick altogether? The bully stick holder provides your dog with a safe way to chew their treat, teaching them to savor it over swallowing it whole.
Bully sticks are a great, healthy treat for your dog to chew on. Ready to give bully sticks a try? Check out our Bully Stick size guide to figure out the right size for your canine friend.
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This guide's going to walk you through picking out the perfect bone for your dog, so you can be sure they really enjoy their chew and get the most out of it.
Finding the safest bones for dogs doesn't have to be complicated when you know what to look for and understand your dog's individual needs.
