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Bully Stick Dog Treats Contain High Calories, Bacteria: Study
the daily dish
If your dog loves to eat bully sticks, you may want to know about a recent study that investigated the caloric content and bacterial contamination of the popular treats. The study revealed surprisingly high numbers for both, according to Science Daily.
A joint study between the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in the U.S. and the University of Guelph in Canada analyzed a sample of 26 different commercially available so-called bully sticks, or pizzles, a dog treat derived from bull penises. An average, 6-inch bully stick was found to contain around 88 calories, which may not sound like much to humans, but for dogs, that number represents 9 percent of a 50-pound dog's daily caloric need, and a whopping one-third of a 10-pound dog's daily requirements.
This information may come as a surprise to pet owners because pet treats are not required to contain calorie information on their labels. But with pet obesity an ongoing problem, it's information that responsible pet owners will want to know.
Perhaps more distressingly, some of the 26 bully sticks tested contained some alarming bacteria, including one with Clostridium difficile, one with the dreaded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (aka MRSA) and seven with E. coli.
To supplement the study, its authors conducted a survey of pet owners online. Of the 852 people who took the survey, 71 percent of respondents who feed their dogs bully sticks said they avoid animal by-products in their pets' food, even though bully sticks are themselves an animal by-product. That discrepancy may be explained in part by the fact that 44 percent of respondents didn't know the source of bully sticks.
Further studies with larger sample sizes will continue to investigate bully-stick content. Meanwhile, pet owners should feel encouraged to always conduct their own research into what exactly we feed our pets. And always wash your hands after handling pet food and treats.
Chocolate and 12 Most Dangerous 'People Foods' for Pets:
A joint study between the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in the U.S. and the University of Guelph in Canada analyzed a sample of 26 different commercially available so-called bully sticks, or pizzles, a dog treat derived from bull penises. An average, 6-inch bully stick was found to contain around 88 calories, which may not sound like much to humans, but for dogs, that number represents 9 percent of a 50-pound dog's daily caloric need, and a whopping one-third of a 10-pound dog's daily requirements.
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This information may come as a surprise to pet owners because pet treats are not required to contain calorie information on their labels. But with pet obesity an ongoing problem, it's information that responsible pet owners will want to know.
Perhaps more distressingly, some of the 26 bully sticks tested contained some alarming bacteria, including one with Clostridium difficile, one with the dreaded methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (aka MRSA) and seven with E. coli.
To supplement the study, its authors conducted a survey of pet owners online. Of the 852 people who took the survey, 71 percent of respondents who feed their dogs bully sticks said they avoid animal by-products in their pets' food, even though bully sticks are themselves an animal by-product. That discrepancy may be explained in part by the fact that 44 percent of respondents didn't know the source of bully sticks.
Further studies with larger sample sizes will continue to investigate bully-stick content. Meanwhile, pet owners should feel encouraged to always conduct their own research into what exactly we feed our pets. And always wash your hands after handling pet food and treats.
Chocolate and 12 Most Dangerous 'People Foods' for Pets:
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17 Comments
Does anyone out there eat BULL PENISES, No so why would you give them to your dog. Go to the dollar store and buy some JACK LINKS beef jerky if you want to give your dog a treat.
January 30 2013 at 9:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDoes anybody out there eat bull penises, No why would you give this crap to your dog. Go to the dollar store and buy some Jack Links beef jerky
January 30 2013 at 9:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI was told Bully Sticks were the Achilles tendon of the bull!!?..... Any comments?
January 30 2013 at 8:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDogs have more acid in their stomach's and shorter GI tracts, so they are able to handle the bacteria on a bully stick. Plus it adds to the beneficial bacteria in their GI tracts which is very important for them. There is more bacteria in the poop and sticks they eat outside then there is in the bully sticks. Tripe is full of beneficial bacteria. And I would never microwave their food or treats just because I was afraid of bacteria. That wouldn't do anything but warm it up and potentially burn your pup if you don't let it cool back down. A bully stick is a sometimes 'treat', meaning that as long as you don't make it a permanent part of their daily diet, it shouldn't effect their weight too much. Unless you have an overweight dog. Then they have to stick to a stricter diet. Switch out a bully stick for a carrot.
January 30 2013 at 8:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyget your dog treats at a local feed and seed store. more healthy since the products come straight from a farm and not a factory
January 30 2013 at 8:09 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyNever trust Chinese made pet products and other products as well.
January 30 2013 at 6:45 AM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down Replymicrowave your dog treat to kill the bacteria.
January 30 2013 at 5:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBut don't to cool it off before feeding it to your dog.
January 30 2013 at 6:44 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWaggin Train & Milos Kitchen are a couple that come to mind. "MADE IN CHINA" can usually be found close to the UPC code, or that's where I look & seem to always find it. Most of the treats at Wal-Mart also say this-even the rawhide & the blended, softer rawhide sticks that have breath fresheners. I take a long time in the store, I check all the labels & ingredients, not only for myself but my fur kids too. They can only be as healthy as I let them be. :)
January 30 2013 at 1:28 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyALWAYS be sure your pets food is made in the USA. That also includes their toys. Balls made in China poisoned my 7 year old Yorkie. I will never get over the pain she went thru.
January 29 2013 at 11:44 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyPlease Please look into what you give your pets. I believe Rachael Rays Dog Food is made in the USA
Lets hope so.
January 30 2013 at 6:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyDoes anyone knows if Wagon train dog treats (chicken strips ) are any god or bad and why?
January 29 2013 at 11:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyTHEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA & NOT UP TO OUR STANDARDS!!! THEY HAVE BEEN LINKED TO KIDNEY FAILURE IN MANY DOGS. ALMOST ALL BRANDS MADE IN CHINA ARE BAD & ARE BEING RECALLED. WE JUST WENT THROUGH THIS WITH ANOTHER BRAND AFTER WE STOPPED USING WAGON TRAIN.
January 29 2013 at 11:17 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply