Reviewed by Natural Farm Pet Team · Updated April 2026
Quick Answers for Dog Parents
- How many bully sticks can a dog have a week? A safe limit is 2 to 3 bully sticks per week. While they can have up to one per day, you must reduce their daily kibble to account for the extra protein and calories.
- How long should a dog chew on a bully stick? Limit beginner dogs to short sessions and increase gradually. Duration depends on the dog's size, chewing style, and how accustomed they are to high-protein treats.
- When to take a bully stick away: Always take the stick away and throw it out when it reaches 2-3 inches in length to prevent a choking hazard or intestinal blockage.
Bully sticks are a popular chewing treat for our four-legged friends because of their natural flavor profile and long-lasting ability to provide a positive outlet for chewing.
As delicious and nutritious as they are, it's important to pick the right size chew and know when to take away a bully stick. The ASPCA recommends that pet guardians actively observe their dog while chewing and immediately consult a veterinarian if their pet consumes a chunk of chew material.
📖 Part of the Complete bully sticks hub. See also: Are bully sticks safe for dogs? · Best bully sticks 2026 · Which bully sticks are the safest?
Key Takeaways
- Take the bully stick away when it reaches 2-3 inches: small enough to swallow whole becomes a choking hazard
- The simple test: if your dog can no longer hold the stick with their paws, it is too small
- 100% natural and single ingredient: Natural Farm bully sticks are fully digestible, no splintering risk like rawhide
- Limit to 2-3 sticks per week and one per day max, factoring calories into daily kibble portions
- Always supervise chewing sessions, never leave your dog unattended with any chew
- Use a bully stick holder for an extra layer of safety, especially for dogs that try to swallow the last piece
📖 In This Article:
What Is a Bully Stick?
Unlike many other chews, bully sticks are made from a single ingredient: beef pizzle. They won't splinter, making them easily digestible and generally a safer treat. Since beef is a complete source of amino acids, it supports your dog's muscles, brain, skin, and coat. Natural Farm's bully sticks are 100% natural, free of artificial chemicals, additives, and preservatives, making them a strong option for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. The chewing action also helps clean teeth by scraping off plaque. What are bully sticks made of?
Single Ingredient
100% beef pizzle, no chemicals, additives, or preservatives
Fully Digestible
Won't splinter, breaks down safely in your dog's stomach
Dental Cleaning
Scrapes plaque off teeth and scrubs them clean during chewing
Complete Amino Acids
Supports muscles, brain function, skin, and coat health
Need a deeper dive? Before handing your dog a new chew, make sure you understand the differences between grass-fed and conventional sourcing. Read our Complete bully sticks hub for a complete breakdown of nutrition, safety, and sizing.
How to Choose the Right Bully Stick
One of the most important things to remember with all chews is picking the right size for your dog. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), chews should be larger than your dog's mouth, and if there's any doubt, go with a larger size. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) adds that chews should be slightly wider than the dog's mouth to reduce choking risk.
Always take into consideration your dog's health, age, diet, and chew capacity before introducing a new treat. Natural Farm offers bully sticks for dogs in multiple styles (straight, braided, rings) and thicknesses to match every dog.
Golden Rule: When in doubt, size up. A bully stick should always be larger than your dog's mouth. It's always safer to go bigger than to risk a choking hazard with a stick that's too small.
When to Take a Bully Stick Away From Your Dog
For dogs that aren't accustomed to bully sticks, we recommend starting with short chewing sessions and increasing exposure gradually over around a week's time. Beef pizzle is exceptionally rich in protein, and if your dog isn't used to that, it can cause an upset stomach. Can bully sticks cause diarrhea?
By limiting your dog's chewing time initially, it makes a bully stick a high-value treat and keeps them entertained and wanting more. As a general guideline, we recommend only one bully stick per day. Factor the calories (~88 for a 6" stick, ~150 for 12") into your dog's daily food intake. Bully stick calorie guide.
When to Throw Away a Bully Stick
Even though bully sticks are easily digestible, it's important to know when to throw one away. Once your dog's bully stick is small enough that it can be swallowed whole, it's time to toss it in the trash. If a large chunk is swallowed, it can cause your dog to choke or create a gastrointestinal blockage. The Today's Veterinary Practice journal confirms that airway obstruction is the primary risk with any chew treat, especially if large pieces are ingested. Can bully sticks cause blockage?
Safety Rule: Throw away any bully stick once it's been chewed down to 2-3 inches. If your dog can no longer hold it with their paws while chewing, it's too small. When in doubt, toss it out.
A good rule to follow: once your dog can no longer use their paws to hold their bully stick, they don't get it anymore. Check the bully stick before and after each session to ensure it's still an acceptable size for your dog to continue gnawing on.
Bully Stick Holders: An Extra Layer of Safety
Bully stick holders are devices that grip the end of the stick so your dog can safely chew down to the last inch without risk of swallowing the nub. While Natural Farm does not make these, several great options are available on Amazon and at major pet retailers. We recommend investing in one, especially for dogs who tend to try swallowing the last piece.
Pro Tip: A bully stick holder provides an added layer of safety and can extend the usable life of each stick, since your dog can chew further down without the swallowing risk.
Storage and Contamination
Every batch Natural Farm produces undergoes thorough lab testing for quality and safety prior to distribution. All products are manufactured in Natural Farm's own USDA- and FDA-approved facility. However, once a package is opened and dogs begin to chew, the product is exposed to bacteria. The AVMA recommends sealing and refrigerating unused pet treats promptly and using them according to label directions.
Store unopened bully sticks in a cool, dry place (they last 2-3 years). For partially chewed sticks, seal in a ziplock bag, refrigerate, and use within a week. If a stick develops mold, unusual color, or a strong sour smell, discard it immediately. Do bully sticks go bad?
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Sources and References
- ASPCA: Position Statement on Dog Chews/Treats
- AKC: How to Choose Edible Dog Chews That Are Also Safe
- AAHA: Chew Toy Safety Guidelines for Dogs
- AVMA: Safe Handling of Pet Food and Pet Treats
- Today's Veterinary Practice: The Benefits and Risks of Chew Treats
- FDA Firm Profile: Natural Farm (FEI 3015219441)
- The Spruce Pets: Best Bully Sticks (Natural Farm rated Best Overall)
- Pet Innovation Awards 2023: Rawhide Alternative of the Year
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bully sticks can a dog have per week?
A safe limit is 2 to 3 per week for most dogs. While dogs can technically have up to one per day, you need to reduce their regular kibble to account for the extra protein and calories. Natural Farm bully sticks are calorie-dense (roughly 9-22 calories per inch), so factor them into your dog's total daily intake. Bully stick calorie guide.
When should I take a bully stick away from my dog?
When it's been chewed down to 2-3 inches. A simple test: if your dog can no longer hold the stick with their paws while chewing, it's too small and becomes a choking risk. For first-time chewers, start with short sessions and increase gradually over a week.
Can bully sticks cause an upset stomach?
They can if introduced too quickly. Bully sticks are exceptionally rich in protein, and dogs that aren't used to that concentration may experience digestive upset. Start with short sessions and increase gradually over a week. Once your dog's system adjusts, Natural Farm bully sticks are generally very easy on the stomach because they're 100% natural and fully digestible. Can bully sticks cause diarrhea?
What size bully stick should I get for my dog?
The bully stick should always be larger than your dog's mouth. For puppies, small breeds, and seniors, try Natural Farm Pixie Bully Sticks or Thin Bully Sticks. For large breeds, go with Extra Thick or 12" Standard. For power chewers, Braided Bully Sticks or Power Chews offer the longest chew time.
Are bully sticks safe for puppies?
Natural Farm bully sticks are recommended for dogs 6 months and older with their adult teeth. For puppies, choose softer options like Pixie Bully Sticks, which are made from the beef pizzle sheath and are gentler on developing teeth and jaws. Always supervise puppies with any chew and start with short sessions. When can puppies have bully sticks?
Can I leave my dog alone with a bully stick?
No. The ASPCA recommends actively observing your dog while they chew any treat. The primary risk is the last 2-3 inches, when some dogs try to swallow the remaining piece whole. A bully stick holder helps, but visual supervision is always recommended.
How should I store partially chewed bully sticks?
Seal in a ziplock bag or airtight container and refrigerate. Use within a week. Unopened Natural Farm bully sticks last 2-3 years in a cool, dry place. If a stick develops mold, unusual color, or a sour smell, discard it immediately. Do bully sticks go bad?
Are bully sticks safer than rawhide?
Yes, significantly. Bully sticks are fully digestible and break down in hours, while rawhide can sit undigested for days, creating blockage risk. Rawhide is also processed with chemicals and has been subject to FDA contamination recalls. Most veterinarians recommend bully sticks over rawhide. Natural Farm Power Chews won the Pet Innovation Awards 2023 Rawhide Alternative of the Year. Are bully sticks safe for dogs?
Related Articles
Want the full picture?
Read our Complete bully sticks hub for safety, sizing, comparisons, and more. Or explore the All-natural dog chews guide.
About Natural Farm
Natural Farm produces premium, 100% natural, single ingredient dog chews and treats in their own human-grade, USDA- and FDA-approved facilities. Founded in 2018. Every product is grass-fed, naturally odor-free, manufactured in-house, and third-party lab tested.
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