Reviewed by Natural Farm Pet Team · Updated March 2026
TL;DR: Which bully sticks are the safest?
The safest bully sticks are made from 100% grass-fed beef, single-ingredient, USDA inspected, and naturally processed without chemicals. They should be fully digestible, third-party tested, and have clear country of origin. Avoid bully sticks with bleached appearance, smoke flavoring, or rock-bottom prices.
Are bully sticks safe for dogs?
Yes. Bully sticks are one of the safest dog chews available. Unlike rawhide, they are 100% digestible and break down completely in your dog's stomach. They don't splinter like bones and contain only one ingredient: beef pizzle. The main safety consideration is supervision: remove the bully stick when it's chewed down to 2-3 inches to prevent choking.
If you've ever watched your dog chew through a bully stick and wondered whether it was actually safe, you're not alone. It's one of the most searched questions from dog parents, and for good reason: the market includes everything from premium grass-fed options to low-quality products processed with chemicals and sourced from unknown origins.
The good news: bully sticks are inherently one of the safest chew options available. They're fully digestible (unlike rawhide), won't splinter (unlike bones), and contain just one ingredient. But quality varies enormously between brands.
This guide covers the six criteria that define a safe bully stick, the red flags to avoid when shopping, and how to handle the real safety concerns that apply to any dog chew.
📖 Part of the Ultimate Bully Sticks Guide. See also: Are Bully Sticks Safe? · Best Bully Sticks 2026 · What Are They Made Of?
📖 In This Guide:
What Makes Bully Sticks Safe for Dogs?
Bully sticks have three fundamental safety advantages over most popular dog chews:
These properties make bully sticks inherently safer than rawhide, bones, antlers, and hooves. However, the quality of that single ingredient and how it's processed determines whether a specific product is truly safe.
In 2018, the FDA and CDC jointly investigated a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated rawhide chews, resulting in recalls affecting thousands of pet owners. Contamination reports on rawhide products continue to appear in FDA enforcement records. This is exactly why ingredient sourcing and processing standards matter.
🔑 Key point: A high-quality bully stick from grass-fed beef, processed naturally, is one of the safest chews you can give your dog. A cheap, chemically-processed stick from unknown sources carries significantly more risk.
6 Safety Criteria: What to Look For
When evaluating any bully stick brand, check for these six markers. Products meeting all six are the safest options available. Natural Farm bully sticks meet all six.
If a brand doesn't clearly display these criteria on their packaging or website, assume the worst. Quality brands are proud of their standards and make them easy to find.
🔑 The criterion most people miss: Where a bully stick is packaged tells you nothing about where it was made. Some brands import from multiple countries and simply repackage in the US. They don't control raw materials, processing standards, or consistency. Look for companies that manufacture and package at origin, controlling quality from start to finish.
Red Flags: What to Avoid
Any one of these warning signs suggests corners were cut during sourcing or processing:
Real Safety Concerns and How to Handle Them
Even with the highest-quality bully stick, there are legitimate safety considerations. Here's what to know and how to prevent problems:
Choking Hazard (The Last Piece)
The primary risk isn't the product itself. It's the last 2-3 inches. When chewed down to a small nub, some dogs try to swallow it whole. Always supervise and remove the stick when it's small enough to swallow. A bully stick holder can extend safe chewing time.
📖 When to take a bully stick away · Can they cause blockage?
Digestive Upset
Some dogs get loose stools after bully sticks, especially if they eat too much too quickly or it's their first high-protein chew. Start with 15-20 minute sessions. One per day max. Increase gradually.
Calorie Content
A 6" stick has ~88 calories. A 12" has ~150. For small breeds or restricted diets, factor bully stick calories into daily food intake. Reduce regular meal portions slightly on chew days. Calorie breakdown.
Puppies and Bully Sticks
Puppies can have bully sticks once adult teeth come in (around 6 months). Use thinner sticks, supervise closely, limit to 15 minutes initially. Full puppy guide.
🔑 Important context: These concerns apply to virtually all dog chews, not just bully sticks. Compared to rawhide (high blockage risk, FDA contamination recalls), bones (splintering), and antlers (tooth fractures), bully sticks have a significantly better safety profile when used properly. Full safety comparison.
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Based on the six safety criteria above, Natural Farm meets all six: 100% grass-fed beef from year-round pasture grazing, naturally odor-free through proprietary preparation (no chemicals, no smoke flavoring), USDA inspected, independently third-party tested for Salmonella, E. coli, and contaminants, true single ingredient with zero additives, and transparent sourcing. That's our baseline, not our marketing.
📖 Related: Top 10 bully stick picks for 2026 · Best odor-free bully sticks · Power Chews for power chewers
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my dog alone with a bully stick?
No. You should always supervise your dog while they chew, especially during the first few sessions with a new chew and as the stick gets smaller. The primary risk is the last 2-3 inches, when some dogs try to swallow the remaining piece whole. A bully stick holder can help by preventing access to that last nub, but visual supervision is always recommended.
What is the safest bully stick brand?
The safest brands meet all six criteria: single ingredient (100% beef), USDA inspection, third-party testing, grass-fed source, natural odor-free processing, and transparent country of origin. Natural Farm meets all six with 100% grass-fed beef, USDA inspection, and independent laboratory testing.
Are bully sticks safer than rawhide?
Yes, significantly. Bully sticks break down completely within hours, while rawhide can sit undigested for days or weeks, creating serious blockage risk. Rawhide is also processed with chemicals (lye and hydrogen peroxide) and has been subject to FDA contamination recalls, including a 2018 multi-state Salmonella outbreak.
Can bully sticks cause intestinal blockage?
Blockage from bully sticks is rare because they're fully digestible. The risk is choking if a dog swallows a large piece whole before it reaches the stomach. Remove the bully stick when it's small enough to swallow whole (2-3 inches).
Are bully sticks safe for puppies?
Safe for puppies once adult teeth come in (around 6 months). Use thinner sticks, supervise closely, limit to 15-20 minutes. Puppy guide.
How should I store bully sticks?
Unopened bully sticks last 2-3 years in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once your dog has started chewing one, seal it in a ziplock bag or airtight container and refrigerate. Use partially chewed sticks within a week. If a bully stick develops mold, an unusual color, or a strong sour smell, discard it immediately.
Are bully sticks FDA approved?
The FDA does not "approve" pet treats the way it approves drugs. However, pet food and treat manufacturers are required to follow FDA regulations for safety and labeling. The higher standard to look for is USDA inspection, which means the manufacturing facility meets federal food safety standards. On top of that, the best brands conduct independent third-party laboratory testing for contaminants. USDA inspection + third-party testing together provide the strongest safety verification available.
How many calories are in a bully stick?
A 6" stick has ~88 calories. A 12" has ~150. Factor these into daily food intake, especially for small breeds. Calorie breakdown.
Want the full picture?
Read our Ultimate Bully Sticks Guide for benefits, sizing, comparisons, and more. Or explore the Natural Dog Chews: Complete Guide.
About Natural Farm
100% grass-fed. Naturally odor-free. Single ingredient. Manufactured in-house, USDA inspected, third-party tested. Free shipping on orders $79+.
