Bully Sticks: Why Do Dogs Go Crazy for These Chews?
Okay, so the other day, I was chilling with my dog, Max, and I gave him a bully stick. He went absolutely nuts for it! It got me thinking, why do dogs love these things so much?
First, I grabbed a few different types of chews – a regular rawhide bone, a nylon bone, and, of course, a bully stick. I wanted to see if Max had a clear favorite.
I laid them all out on the floor. Max, being the curious little guy he is, sniffed each one. He nibbled at the rawhide for a second, ignored the nylon bone completely, and then BAM! He grabbed the bully stick and ran off like he'd just won the lottery.
So, the bully stick was the clear winner. But why? I did some digging.
It is all about instinct!
- Chewing is natural: It turns out dogs have a natural instinct to chew. It helps them keep their teeth clean, and it's just plain fun.
- That meaty smell is amazing: Bully sticks, are made from, ahem, "beef pizzle." I read this some where on the internet. It's pure protein, so it is not bad at all!And it is made of all meat.
- Taste, Taste, Taste! My dog is very picky eater. I think the reason why he love bully stick so much is because they just taste good, you know? To a dog, anyway.
- Long-Lasting Fun: The nylon bones is hard and boring! A bully stick, though? It takes a while to get through, so it keeps them busy for longer.
I observed Max chewing on his bully stick for a good hour. He was totally engrossed in it, and I could tell he was one happy pup. It's not just about the taste, though. Chewing releases endorphins, those feel-good chemicals in the brain. So, bully sticks are kind of like a natural stress reliever for dogs.
I learned that not all bully sticks are created equal. I try to get the ones that are thick and dense, because they last longer. And I always supervise Max while he's chewing, just to make sure he doesn't choke on any small pieces.
Honestly, seeing how much joy a simple bully stick brings Max is pretty awesome. It is a win-win, it is a small thing, but it keeps my dog happy and maintain his teeth, and that is something to smile about.!
