Most dogs love to chew, especially as puppies. During the teething process, puppies seek out hard objects to chew to relieve the likely discomfort of the teething process¹. Puppies will also chew if they’re bored.

In either case, if your puppy doesn’t have a suitable chew toy or treat, they may take to chewing something that you value, like your furniture, shoes, or throw rugs. The best way to avoid this is by providing appropriate chew toys, such as bully sticks. These chew toys are made from the penis of a bull or steer and contain 100% beef. These chews are high in fat, but they’re safe in moderation and quite enjoyable for your pup.

Discover the best bully sticks for your puppy based on reviews from other loving pet owners like you!

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The 5 Best Bully Sticks for Puppies

1. Fantastic Dog Chews 12” Bully Sticks Dog Chews – Best Overall

Fantastic Dog Chews 12” Bully Sticks Dog Chews are the best overall bully sticks for puppies. The grain-free sticks come from 100% free-range, grass-fed beef for completely natural nutrition. The sticks have no antibiotics, hormones, or steroids that can affect your pup’s development.

Each chew has just one ingredient—tough beef that your puppy is sure to love during chewing and teething. Unlike rawhides, the chews are odor-free. With regular chewing, your puppy’s teeth can grow strong and healthy. Puppies should always be supervised when chewing on bully sticks to avoid choking on broken pieces or splinters. Remove and throw away the bully stick if you notice any sharp edge or splinter developing. Some reviewers complained that their dogs went through the treat quickly, and others noted that the oils could stain furniture and carpets.

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2. Best Bully Sticks Odor Free 6” Bully Stick Dog Treats – Best Value

Best Bully Sticks Odor Free 6” Bully Stick Dog Treats are a 100% natural dog treat and the best bully stick for puppies for the money. Made from only grass-fed, free-range beef penis, the bully stick is high in protein, low in fat, and less likely to upset your puppy’s digestive system. The firm bully stick can give your pup some relief from the discomfort caused by the teething.

Bully sticks are odor-free to avoid the unpleasant smells of many chew toys, but the natural oils may stain furniture and carpets. Puppies should always be supervised while chewing bully sticks to avoid choking on small pieces. You should regularly check and throw away the bully stick if you notice any sharp edges or splinters. Some reviewers commented on the thinness of the treats and how quickly their dogs chewed through them, while others noted the odor and staining.

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3. Redbarn Bully Stick 7” Dog Treat

Redbarn Naturals Bully Sticks are all-natural beef chews sourced from grass-fed, free-range cattle in South America. The bull penis is the only ingredient, providing a high-protein, low-fat treat for your pup. Each chew is slow roasted in its own juices to create a delicious, long-lasting flavor for your dog and rigorous chewing to reduce boredom and promote dental health. Chews are made with no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors.

Chews are odor-free but may have a strong natural scent and oils that can stain carpets and furniture. Your dog should always be monitored while chewing to avoid injury or choking. Several reviewers complained of the smell and said their dog chewed through the sticks quickly.

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4. Pet’s Choice Naturals Bully Sticks 6” Dog Treats

Pet’s Choice Naturals Bully Sticks 6” Dog Treats are premium dog chews with a naturally chewy texture for teething and chewing. All bully sticks come from USDA-certified and inspected Colombian grass-fed bulls. Most bully sticks are dehydrated, but these sticks are baked with no preservatives or chemicals for easy digestion and to retain flavor. Puppies will love the taste, but there’s no offensive odor for you.

While odor-free, the treats may have a natural scent and oils that can stain your carpeting and furniture. Puppies should always have the appropriate size chew for safety and be sure to supervise your pup during chewing to avoid choking. Immediately throw away the bully stick if you notice sharp edges or splinters. Several reviewers said their treats didn’t last long, and others complained of an awful odor.

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5. Barkworthies Rings Bully Sticks Dog Treats

Barkworthies Rings Bully Sticks Dog Treats have a unique ring shape to make chewing more fun and long-lasting. These chews are all-natural and crafted from free-range, grass-fed cattle from Brazil with no additives, chemicals, or preservatives. Dogs can digest these chews easily with less likelihood of digestive upset.

Because of its ring shape, these chews offer variability from other bully sticks. These chews have no odor but may have a natural scent or oils that can stain carpets and furniture. Always supervise puppies to avoid choking or injury, and remove and get rid of the product if you notice any sharp edges or splinters. Despite the size, several reviewers said the chews were too thin, and their puppies chewed through them quickly.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Bully Sticks for Puppies

What to Look for in Bully Sticks

Bully sticks are an excellent option for your teething or bored pup, but they have some downsides. These chews can be high in fat or contain ingredients that may upset your pup’s delicate digestive system. Here’s what to look for in bully sticks:

Size

Bully sticks need to be the appropriate size for your puppy’s size and breed. A stick that’s too small could present a choking hazard, especially in large breeds. Conversely, if your puppy is small, a bully stick that’s too big will be difficult to chew and may cause frustration.

Aggressive chewers should have thick bully sticks, or braided bully sticks that they can’t finish quickly. Always check the recommendations on the package to ensure you’re getting the best size and type for your dog’s size, lifestage, and breed.

Odor

Your puppy may love a smelly bully stick, but that’s not so pleasant for you. Some bully sticks are pungent and can leave your whole house smelling like a bull, so it is best to choose odor-free bully sticks. If your dog loves the smell and you don’t, you can offer bully sticks outside or in a dedicated room where the smell doesn’t permeate your home and furniture. Keep in mind that even odor-free sticks will get a smell, especially as your pup chews on them.

Sourcing

Most bully stick companies list the source of the animal and its ingredients. You should be able to determine if the cattle came from the U.S., Canada, or South or Central America. This comes down to preference, such as choosing free-range or grass-fed cattle. No matter what, avoid bully sticks that contain a lot of additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives.

While bully sticks are a great option to relieve some of the discomfort on your teething puppy, it is imperative you carefully choose the right size. Chews represent a choking hazard, and you should always supervise your puppy when you let it enjoy a bully stick. Always get rid of the bully stick if you notice any sharp edges or splinters, and make sure there is fresh drinking water available constantly.

Because these sticks actually provide nutrition, you have to account for the caloric content in your pup’s diet. This might mean you will have to remove it and only allow part of it to be consumed in one day. Freezing the sticks is a way of making sure they stay fresh and will also help numb some of the teething-related pain (so you do not need to defrost them before serving). You can pop an unfinished bully stick back into the freezer, too.

The size of the stick should always be bigger than the size of your pup’s mouth, so you will have to remove the stick when it gets small and before it is finished to reduce the chances of choking hazards. As a rule of thumb, remove any chew when your pup can no longer hold it with its paws. Using a bully stick holder is strongly recommended for extra safety.

Lastly, you will need to have something to offer to your pup in place of the bully stick when you remove it, to avoid the frustration they will likely experience. Some recommendations are a belly rub, his plate of food, a frozen carrot, or their favorite toy.

Conclusion

Bully sticks are an excellent chewing option for your rambunctious or teething puppy to keep them from taking it out on the furniture. Fantastic Dog Chews 12” Bully Sticks Dog Chews are the best overall bully sticks for puppies, with its 100% free-range, grass-fed beef for completely natural nutrition. The best value is Best Bully Sticks Odor Free 6” Bully Stick Dog Treats, a 100% natural dog treat, and the best bully stick for puppies for the money. The premium choice is Redbarn Naturals Bully Sticks, a protein-rich dog treat with a flavor dogs love.

• Next on your reading list: Redbarn Dog Food Review: Recalls, Pros & Cons, & Verdict

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Featured Image Credit: Iryna Imago, Shutterstock