SICK FROM ' BULLY STICKS' ?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Has anyone experienced vomiting from Bully Sticks? The dogs of course, not us owners who want to puke because of the odor.

I have heard the rave for Bully Sticks and finally purchased some on Monday. He loves them and has been chewing ever since. I thought I had found the perfect chew. On Tuesday ( 24hours later) he became sick to his stomach. He has been sick several times again today. This has been his only change.

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this, has he had too much, or should I be looking for something else?

Thanks Joanne

[Edith & "Lucy"]

I let my Lucy go at it once too. She ate the whole stick in about 1/2 hour. She vomitted about 2 hours later. I guess it's not a good thing to let the dog eat it all up at once. Since that happened she doesn't like them very much anymore.

[Debra Ference-Luongo]

Edgar doesn't vomit, he gets diarrhea. Took us a while to figure out why this was happening. He'd be fine and than after several days of not giving him anything but a tender tummy diet and improvement, it would happen all over again, often starting in the middle of the night. We no longer give him Bully Sticks or ears or tendons - none of those great chewy time occupiers - as even a bit causes upset. Very sad. I have yet to come up with an alternative.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thanks for your responses. He did go after those bully sticks like they were his new best friend. He actually left the cats alone as they walked by! Everything in moderation.

I made some plan rice--that just came up.

I noticed the blogs the past few days have had many sick dogs and medical questions. Maybe its just time to get sick

[Kim]

It's funny that I just saw this discussion!!!! Allie has had Bully Sticks now for about 3 months and she has NEVER gotten sick from them, until last night! She did get sick, but just twice last night and today she seems fine.

I bought cow hooves last week and let her have one and she LOVES them... but she started coughing for a full day after I gave her one. I haven't given her one since then and the coughing has stopped. Must be small particles from it was getting caught in her throat. I feel bad because she loves them, they are much less expensive, and last WAY longer!

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Bully Sticks and Flossies are beef tendon. They are pretty rich, so if your dog eats the whole thing, an upset stomach can result. I suggest letting your dog chew on one for about 15-20 minutes, then putting it away. Also, the darker bully sticks seems to sit better than the lighter more "crunchy" ones.
GI Bones made by Merrick are good. They're a beef shin bone cooked with a bar-b-que baste. The small and medium sizes have marrow in the middle. The marrow is too rich for both my boys (diarrhea results) so I push it out with a table knife and throw it away before giving the bone to my dogs. Again, I will let them chew for 15-20 minutes at a time before putting the bones away. These bones are very hard, but you need to check and make sure they have not chipped off little pieces around the edges.
Dehydrated sweet potato slices are becoming popular, as are dehydrated carrot slices. They are being marketed as an alternative to raw hide. I haven't tried them with my guys yet, but we sell A LOT of them at my store - and many pkgs to repeat customers.
I hope this helps. :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Actually, the Flossies are beef tendon, but the real bully sticks are bull penis. I didn't want to believe that, but it's true. Some will have "bull pizzle" listed as the ingredient.

[Kim]

LOL. I didn't want to believe that either, but my Allie sure does love it!!!!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I pulled the dark sticks and let him have the lighter sticks because I thought the darker ones may be the problem.

I love the idea of dehydrated sweet potato slices and dehydrated carrot slices.

My old mastiff, Pete would table surf. If there was a loaf of bread and a bag of carrots he went for the entire bag of crunchy healthy carrots.

My dog now is named Spud--he loves potatoes.

Thanks for the great ideas. :) I learn so much here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dogswell Happy Hips jerky treats are good; they come in chicken, duck, liver, and sweet potato varieties. They don't last very long, though.
Jack does well with the Flossies and Old West brand smoked beef tendon. Takes a little while to chew, doesn't stink like bully sticks.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Pizzle :) Now that just makes my all-male household cringe.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The last time my pup was having trouble with food I printed the suggested list and went off to the food store to choose a new brand of food.

I am cutting and pasting a compiled list for good chewies you all have suggested.

I appreciate all the info and suggestions once again.

We had a good few days until last night.

4am he decides to let me know his stomach was real upset or he hates my pillow.

[Michele Follger]

My Doodle, Sunny, loves bully sticks but she does have some vomiting and diarrhea from them. I have started taking them away from her after she has eaten only half or so. But I have found that the best thing for her is real bones. She loves the marrow out of them and she can chew on them for weeks. They are really slow cooked and don't splinter. I have even used them like kong toys after she has cleaned them out. I put peanut butter and little treats in them and it keeps her busy for a long time.

Hope that helps!
Michele Follger