Bullwinkles, good or bad?

[Scary]

Hi all,

Can someone tell me about bullwinkles? I know what they are and my Mom's Bichon LOVES them... but I read in one person's blog (so who knows) that they can cause kidney problems if eaten too often! Any truth to that?
Is one or two 5-inch long bullies ok to feed a 14-pound dog per week as a treat? She goes through one of these in about 20 minutes.
~Scary

[kathryn]

We are talking about bully sticks right?

Everyone has different opinion on what they are made from. I think they are made from beef tendons, not what everyone else thinks Just because I've read the ingredients on some various brands of bully sticks and it tends to vary what they call it...

My top brands of bully sticks I like for USA sourced ones would be-

-http://www.redbarninc.com/pc-15-11-regular-bully-sticks.aspx (regular plain bullies with some assorted styles)

-http://www.bravorawdiet.com/ (VERY thick for heavy chewers!)

-http://www.merrickpetcare.com/store/dog_treats_tendons.php (great company)


I've seen bullies called pizzles.. steer wizzles... tendons... and just many different things. Just try to buy a name brand kind made in USA or Canada so you know what you are getting.

They are alot better then rawhide... just as long as your dog isn't the type to break things into small pieces and choke on them I wouldn't worry. I fail how to see how a chew treat would cause kidney failure ??? Find a brand you like and stick too it.

[Bailey_]

Too much of anything is never a good thing.

As treats, bully sticks are perfectly safe and healthy for your dog...if you can get over the initial 'EWW' about what the bully stick actually IS.

[BenMax]

I thought bully sticks were schlongs...goes to show you what I know (or don't).

[Chaser]

Originally Posted by BenMax

I thought bully sticks were schlongs...goes to show you what I know (or don't).

No BM, you're right!

They're a good alternative to rawhide for dogs since they don't splinter. A couple a week sounds perfectly reasonable. It's just like anything else....use in moderation.

[Bailey_]

Originally Posted by BenMax

I thought bully sticks were schlongs...goes to show you what I know (or don't).

Yep, they are. Maybe it's because I'm just a farm girl and am around bulls every day - but I just seriously cannot let my dogs chew them. They're perfectly fine though, and I imagine dogs LOVE them.

[clm]

My dogs go snakey for them, they just love them. They used to get one each every day when pups, now they may get them twice a week. They're not cheap but way better than rawhide IMO.

clm

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by Chase_Mom

No BM, you're right!

They're a good alternative to rawhide for dogs since they don't splinter. A couple a week sounds perfectly reasonable. It's just like anything else....use in moderation.

oh. Well then I guess I was on the right track then. Julia is so tiny that I cannot find schlongs small enough for her to enjoy (ok this is just wrong!)

[aslan]

my boys only got to enjoy them a couple of times until grace having one right up to her nose smelling it, asked what it was...end of bullies

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by aslan

my boys only got to enjoy them a couple of times until grace having one right up to her nose smelling it, asked what it was...end of bullies

Grace was sniffing the bullie? Ok, am I missing something here?? Could it be a sign?? (I need to stay out of this thread...seriously)!

[aslan]

Grace smells anything new, she's a newfie what do you want.. yup bullie right up to her nose, asks what it is, bull peenie, flew right out of her hand.

[Bailey_]

Originally Posted by aslan

Grace smells anything new, she's a newfie what do you want.. yup bullie right up to her nose, asks what it is, bull peenie, flew right out of her hand.

[Scary]

You don't have to get too close to a bully to know they STINK!

Thanks all! I didn't know how they could be "bad" for a dog either, but you guys are the experts... and I have a cat
As to brands, the store near me (Ren's in Oakville) just has them in bulk - the bin area smells but I do like that there is no wasteful packaging.

Hmmm... my cat could smell the bully had been in the bag with her stuff and went crazy sniffing for it too - I bet she'd chew one... anyone ever given one to a cat? They are carnivores afterall...

[kandy]

I give my dogs pizzles quite a bit. Now that my husband knows what they are he won't touch them though. LOL They do a good job of keeping the teeth clean too.

I don't have cats, so I don't know anything about giving them to cats.

[dogcatharmony]

My dog Zoe will not touch bully sticks, I think I may have offended her even offering her one. But my cat Amos goes nuts for them, I only give him a bit, but he loves them. Out of three cats and one dog he is the only one interested in eating them.

[Scary]

Good to know Dogcatharmony... maybe I'll treat Luna to a taste... not that I want the smell in my house AND my office!