Homemade vs Store-Bought Dog Bully Sticks

Hello dog parents! Hope you are not worried about your dog’s daily chew treat demands. Well, if you are, let us help you take that worry off you. We can help you select the best dog chew for your precious pup among the vast varieties of dog treats. 

This enormous variety of options may confuse you about what is right for your baby doggo, right? The two broad categories that may overwhelm you are homemade dog treats and store-bought dog bully sticks. 

The first choice you need to make is whether you want to pamper your dog with your kitchen supplies or buy something expensive and popular for it. Both these options have their merits and this is why we will help you choose the better option as per your dog’s needs. 

To help you make the right choice, let’s understand both these categories a little better. 

Homemade Dog Treats 

Let’s begin with homemade dog chew treats. The best thing about homemade treats is that you know what exactly you are feeding your dog. In the case of bully sticks or other dog chews that you have bought from any store, you can not be sure about the additives and manufacturing process. 

We are not saying that store-bought dog bully sticks are not healthy, they are, if you buy them from a reputed brand. This is what makes homemade treats for your dogs a little better than others. 

Homemade dog chews offer you the merits of handpicking the ingredients, customizing the nutritional value, and avoiding any harmful additives/preservatives. When you feed your dog something you made using your kitchen supplies, it ensures purity and care. 

The most important thing to remember about homemade treats is there are lots of ingredients that can be harmful to your dog. You need to avoid them for your pup’s health. Let’s see what you can feed your dog from your kitchen and what you can not. 

What You Can and Can Not Feed Your Dog as a Homemade Treat 

The following table will help you decide what to feed your dog in your kitchen and what not. 

Pros and Cons of Homemade Dog Treats 

Store-Bought Dog Bully Sticks 

Now that we have seen everything about homemade dog treats, let’s move on to store-bought dog bully sticks. The dog treats that you buy from a store offer one of the biggest benefits that homemade ones can not – convenience. 

The reason why people prefer store-bought dog treats is because it is convenient. You simply need to stop at a store on your way home, select a packet, pay for it, and you are done. 

Another important reason for choosing these readymade dog bully sticks is that they include various nutrients in just a single stick. So, if you have a small dog, it will help you feed them lots of nutrition in just a few bites. 

Dog bully sticks are considered one of the best dog treats because of their high protein and low-fat content, dental health benefits, and the presence of natural ingredients. The only thing you need to make sure is to buy the high-quality and additives-free bully sticks. 

What to Look for in Bully Sticks at a Store 

While looking for the right dog bully sticks for your pup, you need to pay attention to certain areas. Let’s see what you should be looking for. 

1. Ingredients 

The natural dog bully sticks are made of a single ingredient – 100% beef muscle. It should not include any additives or preservatives. 

2. Sourcing 

The dog bully sticks that you are buying should be sourced from reputed suppliers that use ethical methods. Look for grass-fed or organically raised cattle for the sticks if possible. 

3. Country of Origin 

Look for countries with strict food safety standards and regulations such as the USA. This helps you get the safer choice and ensures that you are getting quality products. 

4. Odor-free 

Dog bully sticks can cause a distinct odor that a lot of people can not handle. If you are one of those, then go with the odor-free sticks. This way you can take care of your dog without compromising your comfort. 

5. Processing Method 

The method used to process the dog bully sticks can also affect its quality and nutrition. We suggest you go with slow-roasted or baked sticks instead of chemicals or bleach. 

6. Size and Shape 

The size of the dog bully sticks depends on the size of your dog and its nutrition requirements. The shape can depend on your dog’s chewing habits. For example, if your dog is an aggressive chewer, go with braided bully sticks. 

7. Calorie Content 

The calorie content of the dog bully sticks you are buying should match your dog’s dietary needs. It should not contain excessive calories otherwise your dog can gain unnecessary weight which is unhealthy. 

Pros and Cons of Store-bought Dog Bully Sticks 

Bottom Line

Whether it is a homemade treat or a store-bought dog bully stick, what matters is whether it is nutritious and whether your dog can digest it or not. The key is to offer your dog a variety of treats to maintain a nutritious balance. 

Every type of dog treat is healthy for your dog as long as it is natural, does not contain any chemicals, has nutrition, does not have any allergens, and your dog loves its taste. Other than this, it does not matter a lot if it is a homemade treat or a store-bought one.