The vet clinic we use just sent out this link about bully sticks and the high calorie content....I am making no comment one way or another regarding the advisability of giving your dog these treats, as that is an individual decision for owners to make, but just passing this along in regards to the high calorie content, and apparently bacterial content in some testing done for the study:
Misconceptions about a popular pet treat

__________________


Meet Yogi! http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...tion-yogi.html

After watching Bella polish off a 10" braided bully stick in 45 minutes on Christmas, I won't be buying any more. Antlers are the way to go, IMO.

__________________
Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

Thanks for the link!!!! I'm with nairB, once Bear started scarfing bullies down in under an hour, this turned into a "once in a blue moon" treat. I'm sticking with marrow bones and antlers. Though I'm sure marrow bones back a decent amount of calories given how rich marrow tends to be. Correct me, if I'm wrong.

I really like how the article emphasizes, that all food (kibble, treats, food scraps, etc) must be accounted for in a dog's diet. Bear's favorite treats so far are vegetables.


Sent from Petguide.com Free App

__________________
Follow Bear on Facebook!! He's Growing Up, Bear!

According to that article, that 10" braided bully had 270-660 calories. Yikes.

I've been limiting her overall treat intake quite a bit over the past two weeks or so, along with giving her a little less food. Any treats she gets now are for training. Due to a sore back, I can't weigh her right now, but I can tell just by looking at her waist that she has slimmed down a bit.

__________________
Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)

Yeah after watching mine finish a bully stick as long as he was in under 90 minutes I wont feed them anymore. Whats interesting is he go clostridium 2 years ago we assumed came from another dog. He ate a bully stick a few days before testing positive. Yet, I continued to feed them because I didnt realize the connection/risk now after reading that article, I wonder if that infection came from the bully stick.

I have never,or will ever give them to my dogs.

__________________
WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE BECOMES A MEMORY,THE MEMORIES BECOME TREASURES,OF THE HEART.

I'm not surprised about c. diff or e. coli. c.diff is found in most soils. e.coli is found in the soil and intestines (including yours). There are different strains of e.coli. Some dangerous... some not. MRSA is concerning though.

__________________

I gave one to Keisel when he was 9 weeks old (6 inches long) and not only did he go in a trans and didn't want to be near me with it or take a break from chewing on it, he almost choked! I heard him gag and went to grab him - opened his mouth and pulled it out and almost the whole original length of the bully stick all white and slimy was still intact.

Thought about just waiting till he was older since I didn't think it was a good idea to give them to puppies but now with how high the calorie content is - I might just stick to antlers and marrow bones too.

__________________

Follow Keisel on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KeiselTheDog

R.I.P. My Beloved Brandy 12/24/95 - 4/2/12

Gunner had one bully stick when he was a year old. I didn't like the smell or mess. I've never given one to Honey. We do antlers...

__________________
GUNNER - Born:08-30-08 HONEY - Born:01-11-11(Haborviewgoldens)

Just over a week ago I had one very sick puppy. I saw the article several days ago about the bacteria just after giving him the same bully stick he had been chewing on the day before he got sick. He hadn't really consumed much, but had just been chewing on it the first time. He had been chewing it about 20 min when I saw that article and took it away. He woke up and vomited first thing the next morning just as he had the week before. I immediately decided to feed him the bland food the vet had given me the week before and he seemed out of it all day, but didn't get nearly so sick. I am now thinking that this is all related to me bully stick and the nasty bacteria lurking on/in it.


Sent from Petguide.com Free App