10 Best Bully Sticks for Dogs [2026]

Reviewed by Natural Farm Pet Team · Updated April 2026

Rated "Best Overall" Bully Stick by The Spruce Pets for five consecutive years

Rawhide Alternative of the Year · Pet Innovation Awards 2023

🚩 Red Flags

• No country of origin: if they won't say where it's from, there's a reason
• "Smoke flavored": masking bad odor instead of proper processing
• Unusually cheap price: quality costs money, rock-bottom = cut corners
• Bleached appearance: unnaturally white sticks may be chemically treated
• "Made WITH real beef": should be "100% beef," not "made with"
• No testing claims: USDA + third-party testing should be standard

#1: 12" Standard Bully Stick

Best Overall

The Goldilocks of bully sticks: long enough for safe chewing, thick enough to last, sized right for the majority of dogs. Works for medium to large dogs (20-70 lbs). Most dogs get 30-60+ minutes per stick. Our #1 seller. If you're unsure where to start, start here.

12 inches · Medium to Large Dogs · 30-60+ min · ~150 cal · ~93% protein

#2: Cold-Dried™ Bully Stick (Exclusive)

The Upgrade / Max Protein

Made with Natural Farm's proprietary low-temperature drying technology. Up to 97% crude protein (vs ~93% standard), denser, firmer, and noticeably tougher. If your dog finishes a standard 12" in under 20 minutes, this is the natural next step. Odor-free, fully digestible, exclusive to Natural Farm.

Up to 97% protein · 1% fat · Medium-Strong Chewers · 45-90 min · Odor-free

#3: 12" Extra Thick/Jumbo Bully Stick

Best for Large Dogs

Extra-thick diameter for dogs 50-90 lbs. Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds, and Boxers need this thickness to stay occupied. Adds 30-50% more chew time over standard. Still fully digestible, just denser.

12 inches · 50-90 lbs · 45-90 min · ~175 cal · ~93% protein

#4: 6" Thin Bully Stick

Best for Small Dogs

Thinner profile for dogs under 20 lbs. Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Dachshunds, Maltese. Lower calorie count (~60-70 cal). Also great as a starter for puppies transitioning to bully sticks.

6 inches · Under 20 lbs · 15-30 min · ~65 cal · ~93% protein

#5: 6" Standard Bully Stick

Best for Puppies

Right balance for puppies 6+ months with adult teeth. 6" length is safer than 12" (less leverage). Supervise always, limit to 15-20 min sessions. Full puppy guide.

6 inches · Puppies 6+ months · 15-20 min · ~88 cal · ~93% protein

#6: Power Chews (Exclusive)

Best for Power Chewers / Giant Breeds

Exclusive 2-in-1 design: durable beef cheek outer layer + beef pizzle core. Lasts 2-3x longer than standard. Built for Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Great Danes. 1-3+ hours of engagement. Winner of the Pet Innovation Awards 2023 Rawhide Alternative of the Year.

50-120+ lbs · 1-3+ hours · ~200 cal · ~90% protein

#7: Braided Bully Stick

Best for Extended Chew Time

Three strands braided together, doubling or tripling chew time. Extra dental scraping from the textured surface. Available in 6" and 12". Great middle ground before Power Chews.

6" or 12" · 30-70 lbs · 45-90 min · ~180 cal · ~93% protein

#8: Odor-Free Bully Sticks

Best for Indoor Use

Proprietary preparation eliminates odor at the source. No chemicals, no smoke masking. Genuinely odor-free. Couch, bed, car. All sizes available.

All sizes · All dogs · No chemical odor treatment · ~93% protein

#9: Bully Stick Bites

Best for Training

Pre-cut 1-2" pieces. Same grass-fed quality, bite-sized. Stuff in Kongs, use as training rewards, or give as quick treats. Easier calorie management.

1-2 inches · All sizes · ~20-30 cal per piece · ~93% protein

#10: Bully Stick Bulk Pack

Best Value

Same premium sticks in 12, 25, or 50-count packs at a better per-stick price. Unopened packs last 2-3 years. Free shipping on orders $79+.

12, 25, or 50 count · All sizes · Free shipping $79+ · ~93% protein

What is the best bully stick for dogs?

For most dogs, a 12" standard grass-fed bully stick is the best all-around choice. Natural Farm has been rated "Best Overall" by The Spruce Pets for five consecutive years based on ingredient quality, safety standards, and real-world testing. For dogs that finish a standard stick in under 20 minutes, Natural Farm's Cold-Dried™ Bully Sticks deliver up to 97% protein and roughly twice the chew time. Small dogs do better with 6" thin. Power chewers need Power Chews.

Are bully sticks safe for dogs?

Yes. Bully sticks are 100% digestible, single-ingredient, and won't splinter like rawhide or bones. The main risk is choking if a dog swallows the last small piece whole. Always supervise and remove the stick when it's down to 2-3 inches. Natural Farm bully sticks are manufactured in-house in USDA- and FDA-approved facilities, third-party lab tested for Salmonella and E. coli, and processed without chemicals. Full safety guide.

How long do bully sticks last?

A standard Natural Farm 12" bully stick lasts 30-60 minutes for most moderate chewers. Cold-Dried™ Bully Sticks last 45-90 minutes due to their denser structure (97% protein, 1% fat). Braided bully sticks last roughly double a standard stick. Natural Farm Power Chews, designed for dogs that destroy everything, last 1-3+ hours. Actual duration depends on your dog's size, jaw strength, and chewing intensity.

Are bully sticks better than rawhide?

Yes. Bully sticks are fully digestible and break down in the stomach within hours, while rawhide can sit undigested for days or weeks, creating serious blockage risk. Rawhide is processed with chemicals like lye and hydrogen peroxide. Natural Farm bully sticks are single-ingredient (100% beef pizzle), cleaned only with water, and contain no chemical treatments. Natural Farm's Power Chews won the Pet Innovation Awards 2023 Rawhide Alternative of the Year. The FDA has issued contamination recalls for rawhide products. Bully sticks have not been subject to the same issues when sourced from USDA-inspected facilities. Full safety comparison.

What should I look for when buying bully sticks?

Six things: single ingredient (100% beef, not "made with real beef"), grass-fed source, USDA-inspected facility, third-party lab testing, natural odor-free processing (not smoke-masked), and a clear country of origin. Avoid bleached-looking sticks, rock-bottom pricing, and brands that won't disclose their sourcing. Natural Farm meets all six criteria and publishes their FDA facility registration publicly.

How often can I give my dog a bully stick?

One per day or every other day for most adult dogs. Natural Farm 6" bully sticks contain approximately 88 calories. A 12" standard contains approximately 150 calories. Factor that into your dog's daily intake so treats stay under 10% of total calories. Small dogs under 20 lbs: every 2-3 days with a 6" thin (~65 cal).

Why are bully sticks so expensive?

Each bully stick comes from a single animal, which limits supply. Grass-fed sourcing, USDA inspection, and third-party testing add cost that cheaper brands skip. Natural Farm owns their facility and controls every stage of production, from raw material to packaging, which ensures quality but costs more than outsourcing to third-party manufacturers. Per minute of engagement, a quality bully stick is cheaper than most dental chews or interactive toys. Full cost breakdown.

What size bully stick should I get?

Natural Farm recommends sizing by weight: dogs under 20 lbs do best with a 6" thin. Dogs 20-50 lbs should start with a 12" standard. Dogs 50-90 lbs need a 12" extra thick or Cold-Dried™ for longer engagement. Dogs over 90 lbs should use Power Chews, which feature a 2-in-1 beef cheek and pizzle design built for extreme jaw strength. When in doubt, size up.

Do bully sticks smell?

Traditional bully sticks can have a strong odor. Natural Farm eliminates this through a proprietary preparation process that removes odor at the source without chemicals or smoke flavoring. All Natural Farm bully sticks are odor-free by default, making them suitable for indoor use on couches, beds, and in cars.

Are grass-fed bully sticks better?

Yes. Grass-fed beef produces denser tissue with 2-5x more Omega-3 fatty acids, higher conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and more vitamins A and E compared to grain-fed. That density also means grass-fed bully sticks last 20-30% longer. Natural Farm sources exclusively from grass-fed cattle raised without hormones or routine antibiotics.

Can puppies have bully sticks?

Yes, once they have their adult teeth at around 6 months. Natural Farm recommends starting puppies with a 6" standard bully stick, supervising closely, and limiting sessions to 15-20 minutes. The 6" length is safer than 12" because it gives puppies less leverage to bite off large pieces. Full puppy bully stick guide.