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Looking for your dog's next favourite chew? Bully sticks are one of the most popular long-lasting dog chews in Canada, and for good reason. They're natural, single-ingredient, satisfying to chew, and safer than a lot of the alternatives out there.
Bully sticks are made from bull pizzle, a single-ingredient and naturally sourced chew that dogs go wild for. Curious about what that actually means? Here's what bully sticks actually are and how they're made.
But not all bully sticks are created equal. Sourcing, drying method, odour level, and thickness all make a real difference in quality and how long they'll actually keep your dog busy. Whether you're shopping for the first time or looking to find a better option than what you've been buying, here's everything you need to choose well, and our top picks for the best bully sticks in Canada.
What to Look for in a Quality Bully Sticks
Before you start filling your cart, it helps to know what separates a great bully stick from a mediocre one. Here are the four things worth paying attention to:
Single Ingredient
The best bully sticks are made from one thing: bull pizzle (click here to learn what bully sticks really are). No fillers, no artificial preservatives, no additives. A single-ingredient chew is easier to digest and a much safer choice for dogs with food sensitivities or dietary restrictions. Always check the ingredient label (it should be a short read).
Sourcing Matters
Where the beef comes from affects both quality and safety. Look for bully sticks sourced from free-range or grass-fed cattle, and check where they're manufactured. Responsibly sourced bully sticks from reputable suppliers are going to be more consistent in quality and less likely to carry contamination risks.
Low-Temp Drying for Better Quality
How a bully stick is dried makes a noticeable difference in the final product. The best bully sticks are dried slowly at low temperatures, which removes moisture without compromising the texture or structural integrity of the chew. Bully sticks cooked at higher temperatures tend to have a darker, more crystallized appearance and a hollow interior. They're often more affordable, but also less dense and shorter-lasting.
Odour Level
If you've never smelled a traditional bully stick before, consider yourself warned. It's an experience. Odour-reduced bully sticks are dried for longer at low temperatures, which removes more moisture and significantly cuts down on the smell. They're not completely odour-free, but the difference is significant enough that most pet owners with indoor dogs prefer them. The good news: dogs don't seem to mind the reduced funk at all.
What Size Bully Stick Does My Dog Need?
Getting the size right matters, both for safety and for how long the chew will actually last.
Length is the easier part. Shorter bully sticks (around 4–6 inches) are well-suited to small breeds and puppies. Longer options (12 inches and up) give larger dogs more to work with and typically last longer.
Thickness is just as important as length and is often overlooked. A thin bully stick might keep a Chihuahua busy for a while, but it'll disappear in minutes for a large or powerful chewer, and a stick that's too thin can also become a choking hazard faster as it gets chewed down. As a general guide:
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- Small breeds and puppies: thin to regular width
- Medium breeds: regular to thick
- Large breeds and aggressive chewers: thick to jumbo
One more thing to keep in mind: dogs need to use their back molars to safely chew bully sticks. If a bully stick is too wide for your dog to get their mouth around comfortably, they may resort to chewing with their smaller front teeth, which isn't ideal. When in doubt, size down on width rather than up.
Just remember to supervise your pup while they enjoy their bully stick to ensure safe chewing.
The Best Bully Sticks in Canada
Over the years, bully sticks have become more and more popular in Canada, which means there are a lot of options to choose from. We've narrowed it down to our top picks; options we're confident in for quality, sourcing, and keeping dogs genuinely occupied.
1. Eldon's Free Range Odourless Bully Sticks
Top Pick for Routine Chewing
Eldon's Bully Sticks are our number-one-selling bully stick, and the top pick for a reason. Made from free-range beef sourced from Brazil, these single-ingredient chews are slow-dried at low temperatures for a dense, long-lasting texture that holds up even for enthusiastic chewers.
They come in both 6-inch and 12-inch lengths, and range from slim to jumbo width, so you can dial in the right size for your dog's breed and chewing style. The odour-reduced formula makes them one of the most popular options for indoor chewing without clearing the room.
Sold exclusively at Homes Alive Pets. Shop individual sticks or buy in bulk to save up to 20%.
2. Puppy Love Canadian Bully Chews
Puppy Love bully chews are sourced and manufactured right here in Canada, making them a great choice for pet owners who prioritize buying local. They're made from high-quality natural Canadian beef with no artificial additives or preservatives.
What sets Puppy Love apart is the variety of shapes available, including the Beef Barbell Chew and the Beef Cane Jr. Unique shapes encourage your dog to chew from different angles and use different parts of their mouth, which adds an extra challenge, extends the chewing session, and can offer broader dental benefits than a standard straight stick.
3. ValuePack Bully Sticks
Best for Bulk Buyers
If you go through bully sticks quickly, or just want to make sure you never run out, ValuePack Bully Sticks are the move. Sold exclusively through Homes Alive Pets, these are made from 100% beef pizzle sourced from hormone-free, antibiotic-free cattle, with no fillers or artificial ingredients.
Available in a range of sizes and thicknesses, ValuePack gives you solid quality at a price that makes stocking up easy. A great everyday option that doesn't cut corners to hit a lower price point.
4. Red Barn Bully Rings
Red Barn Bully Rings are a 100% beef, single-ingredient chew rings that keep dogs working a little differently than a straight stick. The shape adds an engaging challenge; dogs have to figure out how to hold it and get the right angle, which naturally extends the chewing session.
Free from artificial preservatives, fillers, and grains, these are a solid option for dogs with food sensitivities. They also make a good variety pick if your dog is working through a rotation of different chew shapes.
5. Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Bully Sticks
Best for Puppies and Seniors
The Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Bully Sticks are the most unique pick on this list. Made from 100% grass-fed beef, these are freeze-dried rather than oven-dried, which locks in nutrients while producing a lighter, less dense final product.
They won't outlast a traditional bully stick for experienced chewers, but that's not really the point. For puppies just learning to chew, seniors with more delicate teeth, or dogs that are new to bully sticks and still building confidence, the gentler texture is a real advantage. All the benefits are a little easier on the mouth.
Need a Beef-Free Option?
If your dog has a beef sensitivity or allergy, bully sticks can also be made from bison, though these tend to be harder to find in Canada and can carry a stronger natural odour than their beef counterparts.
For dogs avoiding beef, you might have better luck with a different style of natural chew altogether, like a Bison Backstrap, Raw Elk Bones, or Fish Skins. These novel protein chews offer a comparable experience while keeping common dog food allergens out of the picture.
Bully Stick Alternatives
Even the best bully sticks can lose their novelty if that's the only chew your dog ever gets. Rotating through different shapes and textures keeps things interesting, encourages your dog to use different parts of their mouth, and can actually improve the dental benefits of chewing overall.
A few great alternatives to mix into the rotation:
Variety can make natural chews more effective and help you find the types that your dog benefits most from. For more ways to keep your dog's chewing routine exciting, check out our full list of the Best Long-Lasting Chews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bully sticks good for dogs?
Yes, when fed appropriately, bully sticks are one of the better chew options available. They're single-ingredient, digestible, and satisfying for dogs that love to chew. They also offer dental benefits by helping to scrape away plaque and tartar during chewing.
How often should I give my dog a bully stick?
A few times a week is a good rhythm for most dogs. Daily feeding is fine in some cases, but bully sticks do carry calories, typically 9 to 22 per inch depending on width and density, so it's worth factoring that into your dog's overall intake, especially if weight management is a consideration.
What size bully stick is right for my dog?
As a starting point, small breeds and puppies do well with thin to regular width in a 4–6 inch length; medium breeds generally suit regular to thick; large breeds and power chewers typically need thick to jumbo. See the size guide above for more details.
Do bully sticks have a strong smell?
Traditional bully sticks have a noticeable odour, which is one of the most common reasons pet owners go looking for alternatives. Odour-reduced options (like Eldon's and ValuePack) are significantly better for indoor use. They're not completely neutral, but the difference is substantial.
Are bully sticks safe for puppies?
Yes. Bully sticks are actually one of the better chew options for puppies because they have the right density, firm enough to be satisfying, but not so hard that they risk damaging developing teeth. Cooked bones, antlers, and yak cheese chews are much harder and generally not recommended for puppies.
How do I know when to take the bully stick away?
Once a bully stick chews down to a small piece that your dog could swallow whole, it's time to swap it out. A bully stick holder is a practical way to manage this, as it grips the end of the stick so your dog can keep chewing without the risk of gulping the last bit.
Are bully sticks more digestible than rawhide?
Yes. Bully sticks chew down progressively and digest much more cleanly than rawhide. Rawhide can expand in a dog's stomach and is associated with a higher risk of digestive blockages. If you're currently using rawhide and looking for a safer swap, bully sticks are one of the most commonly recommended rawhide alternatives.
Want to understand more about bully sticks before you buy? Our full guide covers what bully sticks are made of, how they're manufactured, safety tips, and everything you need to know about feeding them confidently.
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