Are bully sticks suitable for puppies? Answer 2026
Bully sticks are only conditionally suitable for puppies: As long as the teething process isn't complete – usually by six months of age – the hard, fibrous structure is too much for the milk teeth and gums to handle. After that, the natural chew toy is suitable, provided it's the right size for the dog and an adult supervises while it chews. The real danger rarely lies in the bully stick itself, but in bite-off pieces that small puppies might swallow instead of chewing.
- Bull pizzles are only suitable for puppies after they have finished teething, usually from the 6th month onwards.
- Rabbit ears with fur and horse tendons are a softer alternative for younger puppies.
- Swallowed fragments pose a greater danger than the bully stick itself.
- Masterfeed chew treats like bully sticks are available in 10 cm and 20 cm lengths; the shorter version is better suited to small puppy jaws.
Why this is important
Bully sticks are among the hardest natural chew toys available – which is precisely what makes them valuable for adult dogs' dental care, but risky for puppies' jaws. A puppy typically replaces its adult teeth between 12 and 24 weeks of age; until the permanent teeth are firmly in place, a hard bully stick can overtax the gums and put additional strain on loose milk teeth. Masterfeed recommends softer chew toys for this phase, such as... Rabbit ears with fur, which still offer a real chewing stimulus, but are more yielding than a classic bully stick.
Anyone raising a puppy in 2026 should always consider dental development before choosing chew toys – not just the puppy's age in months. A strong, early-developing puppy might be ready sooner, while a more delicate puppy of the same breed might be ready later. This distinction determines whether a bully stick is a sensible chew toy or causes unnecessary stress on the teeth.
Are bull pizzles suitable for puppies?
The short answer: partially. Bully sticks are suitable for puppies once they have finished teething and can chew vigorously enough to work the chew toy instead of swallowing it whole. The following overview shows how bully sticks compare to other common puppy chew toys.
| Chewable | hardness level | Suitable from | Verdict for puppies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ochsenziemer | Hard, phased | after the eruption of permanent teeth, around 6 months | Conditionally suitable |
| Horse tendons (10 cm) | Medium-hard, tough | about 4 months | Well suited |
| Rabbit ears with fur | Soft, with fur content | from the 8th week | Very well suited |
| Beef scalp sticks (10 cm) | Medium-hard | about 5–6 months | Conditionally suitable |
Bull pizzles land on in comparison Conditionally suitable Not because the ingredient is bad, but because the hardness is only suitable for a puppy's jaw after they've finished teething. With rabbit ears and horse tendons, the risk of damaging milk teeth is significantly lower because both types of chew toys yield more easily under pressure.
How can you tell that your puppy is ready for bully sticks?
A fixed point in time is not enough of a criterion – every puppy develops differently. These points indicate more reliably whether the change makes sense:
- The permanent teeth have fully erupted; no baby teeth are loose anymore.
- The gums no longer show redness or irritation after chewing on other chew toys.
- The puppy can already chew medium-hard chew items such as horse tendons without any problems and without swallowing them whole.
- Size and jaw strength are suitable for the smallest available bully stick size.
If all four points apply, a bully stick is usually suitable for the puppy.
From what age are bully sticks suitable for puppies?
Bully sticks are suitable for puppies once they have fully erupted their permanent teeth, usually around six months of age. Before this time, intensive chewing on the hard, natural product is more likely to irritate the gums than provide the desired chewing pleasure. From this age onward, it's advisable to start with a smaller size. Bull pizzle (10 cm) It performs better in smaller catches than the 20cm version and is easier to monitor.
In larger breeds with stronger jaws, the teething process occurs within a similar timeframe, but chewing strength often develops more quickly – in these cases, the 20-cm version can be beneficial earlier than in smaller breeds. The basic rule remains unchanged in 2026: size and hardness must be appropriate for the current jaw development, not just age. A good transition usually involves three stages: soft chews in the first few months, medium-hard chews during teething, and hard chews like bully sticks only afterward.
Why the suitability of bully sticks for puppies varies
- Tooth eruption statusBaby teeth cannot tolerate hard fiber structures, but permanent teeth can easily withstand them.
- Dog size and jaw strengthSmall breeds need smaller, softer pieces than large breeds of the same age.
- Supervision while chewingUnsupervised chewing increases the risk that bitten-off pieces will be swallowed instead of chewed.
- Fat content and protein contentBull pizzles are low in fat and high in protein, which generally makes them suitable even for slim puppies that are still growing.
- Processing without additivesA purely natural product without artificial additives reduces the risk of stomach irritation compared to flavored chewable products.
- Prior experience with chew toysA puppy that has already practiced with medium-hard chew toys will usually cope better with a bully stick than a puppy with no chewing experience at all.
Masterfeed Chews: Bull Pizzles at a Glance
Those planning to switch to bully sticks will find three varieties at Masterfeed for different chewing intensity and eating habits.
From what age can puppies be given chew toys?
Puppies can start chewing soft items like rabbit ears from the 8th week of life; hard natural chews like bully sticks are only introduced after they have finished teething, around the 6th month. The transition between these two phases usually involves medium-hard chews like horse tendons, which offer enough resistance without overloading the teeth.
Is bully stick suitable for small dogs?
Bull pizzles are suitable for small dogs if the size matches their jaw strength – the 10 cm version is a more practical choice for smaller breeds and puppies than the 20 cm version. Large, powerful chewers benefit more from the longer version because it keeps them occupied for longer and they are less likely to gnaw through the whole thing quickly.
How long can a puppy chew on a bully stick?
A puppy may chew on a bully stick as long as an adult supervises the chewing session; as soon as the chew becomes noticeably smaller or splinters, it should be removed. Short, supervised chewing sessions are safer than hours of unsupervised chewing, especially while the puppy is still learning how to handle a hard, natural chew toy.
Safety instructions for bully sticks for puppies
A few simple rules reduce the risk without unnecessarily banning chew toys:
- Always give it under supervision, never as an unsupervised pastime.
- Provide fresh water, as intensive chewing triggers thirst.
- Remove the rest once it is small enough to be swallowed.
- Check your gums briefly after chewing, especially in the first few weeks after introduction.
These points apply in 2026 just as they did in previous years – the basic mechanics of chewing safety remain unchanged.
FAQ
From what age are bully sticks suitable for puppies?
Bully sticks are suitable for puppies from 6 months of age, once their adult teeth have completely changed. Before that, the hard fibrous structure puts strain on the milk teeth and gums.
Can bully sticks cause diarrhea in puppies?
Bull pizzles can cause loose stools in puppies if too many are eaten at once, because the low-fat, high-protein natural product puts an unusual strain on the stomach. Small portions and a gradual introduction usually prevent this.
Is bully stick suitable for small dogs?
Bull pizzles are suitable for small dogs if the size is appropriate for their jaw strength. The 10 cm version is better suited to smaller breeds than the 20 cm version.
What is the best alternative to bully sticks for young puppies?
Rabbit ears with fur are the best alternative to bully sticks for young puppies because they are softer and still provide a real chewing stimulus. Horse tendons are suitable as an intermediate step once the first permanent teeth erupt.
How often can a puppy be given bully sticks?
A puppy should not be given bully sticks daily, but rather as an occasional chew snack alongside its main food, so that the additional amount of protein does not throw the ration out of balance.
Are dried bully sticks better than raw ones for puppies?
Dried bully sticks are more practical for puppies than raw ones because drying makes the product more stable in shape and easier to portion, without altering the high protein content.
How can I tell if a bully stick is too hard for my puppy?
A bully stick is too hard for a puppy if the dog barely nibbles on it after several minutes or if its gums are red afterward. In that case, it's worth switching to a softer chew toy like horse tendons until the permanent teeth are strong.
One more note
At first glance, bully sticks look like a simple chew bone, but they are low in fat and particularly high in protein – which is why they are also suitable for lean, growing dogs, as soon as they are old enough. At Masterfeed, the bully stick is a purely natural product without artificial additives, which distinguishes it from flavored supermarket chews. If you are unsure whether your puppy is ready, it's best to start with a softer option like rabbit ears and only switch to the full bully stick after the last set of teeth has come in.
