Food & Treats

Best Bully Sticks for Puppies of 2026

A bully stick is the closest thing to a magic switch I've found for a teething puppy — hand one over and the nipping, the whining, and the shoe-stealing stop for a while. The catch is that they are not interchangeable. A stick that's too dense can be rough on baby teeth, one that's too soft disappears in six minutes, and plenty of them smell bad enough that you'll want to banish the dog to the porch. Then there's the end-of-stick problem: that last inch is exactly the piece you don't want a small dog gulping down.

We spent the past three months working through 16 bully sticks with a rotating cast of puppies — a four-month-old in the thick of teething, a six-month-old who chews like it's his job, and a picky little thing who turns her nose up at anything that smells too much like a barn. What separated the good ones wasn't brand or price so much as density, size relative to the dog's mouth, and how long the thing actually held attention. The ones below earned their spot.

1

Bully Bunches 6-Inch Bully Sticks

Top Pick
Bully Bunches 6-Inch Bully Sticks

Puppy starter

Our Score 9.0/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Some sticks run smaller than expected
  • Not truly odor-free when chewed
Length
6 inches
Ingredient
Free-range beef
Pack Count
5 sticks
Stick Weight
18–24 grams each
Read the full review

Six inches is a useful middle ground for a puppy chew, and Bully Bunches gets the proportions right: hand-sorted sticks that weigh 18 to 24 grams each, enough substance to grip without handing a small dog a log. The bag is built around puppies and small dogs rather than adult power chewers, which is exactly the first-chew buyer we have in mind. We like that the recipe is just free-range beef and that the sticks are rawhide-free; there is no filler to explain away.

The six-inch standard is the version we reach for first. It gives a puppy something to hold with both paws and works through a good stretch of chewing, though a determined dog can still make short work of one. We appreciate that the sticks are hand sorted instead of dumped in as a weight-only bag, because a puppy does better with a chew that has a more predictable shape. The bag is not the biggest bulk buy, but the size is right for the puppy stage.

For a first bully stick, this is the one we hand over with the least fuss. The six-inch length suits a puppy's mouth better than the extra-thick competition, and the single-ingredient recipe keeps the decision simple. It is not the bag for a dog who already destroys thick chews in minutes; that is where Jack&Pup earns its place.

Bottom line: We recommend Bully Bunches for puppy owners who want a sensible six-inch chew: hand-sorted sticks, a single beef ingredient, and a size that suits small mouths.

2

Natural Farm Odor-Free Bully Sticks

Natural Farm Odor-Free Bully Sticks

Low-odor bulk buy

Our Score 9.0/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Large bag is a long commitment
  • Some puppies need a gradual introduction
Length
6 inches
Ingredient
Grass-fed beef
Odor Claim
Odor-free
Package Weight
20.8 oz
Read the full review

Natural Farm's odor-free claim is the reason many puppy owners try this bag, and the six-inch size is the reason we keep it in the rotation. The sticks are slow oven-baked and made from grass-fed beef, with no rawhide, which makes the ingredient list easy to understand. We like the six-inch length for a puppy old enough to handle a standard stick: there is enough to hold onto, but it is not the extra-thick slab that suits a full-grown power chewer.

The bag is the other half of the story. This is a bulk purchase, so it suits a multi-dog home or a puppy who gets a chew every day; if your puppy turns out to be indifferent, you are committed to a long supply. The sticks hold up for a decent session, though a focused puppy can make shorter work of them than the phrase long-lasting suggests. We treat the odor-free label as a target rather than a promise.

For a puppy with a sensitive stomach, start with a short session and see how the next day goes; richer chews do not agree with every dog. If your household goes through chews quickly, the bulk format is convenient and the low-odor aim is welcome. If you want a smaller commitment, Bully Bunches is the easier first bag.

Bottom line: Natural Farm's big low-odor bag is a practical choice for puppy households that want a steady supply of six-inch beef chews, provided you are ready for the commitment.

3

Mighty Paw Naturals Bully Sticks

Mighty Paw Naturals Bully Sticks

Multi-puppy homes

Our Score 9.0/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Sticks vary in thickness
  • Can be chewed down quickly
Length
6 inches
Age Range
Puppies and adults
Ingredient
Beef pizzle
Pack Count
10 sticks
Read the full review

A ten-pack of six-inch sticks is the easy answer for a household with more than one dog, or one puppy who goes through chews faster than you can reorder. Mighty Paw makes the bag with a single ingredient, beef pizzle, and no added flavors or preservatives, which keeps the decision simple. We like that the sticks are positioned for puppies and adult dogs alike; you can hand one to the young dog and another to the older dog without buying two separate bags.

The size is the part to think through. Six inches is a lot for a toy-breed puppy, so this bag is better for a medium or large young dog, or a small dog who is already a confident chewer. We also like that the ten-count format is practical for training: you can keep one in the car, one in the treat drawer, and still have a spare.

The recipe is simple and the bag is easy to live with, but the chew time is not the longest in this group. If you need a single bag to cover a puppy and an adult dog, this is the one we grab; if you need a long-lasting chew for a power chewer, Jack&Pup is the better fit.

Bottom line: Mighty Paw's ten-pack is a practical puppy-and-adult bag: simple beef sticks in a useful six-inch size, though the thickness varies.

4

Jack&Pup Extra-Thick Bully Sticks

Jack&Pup Extra-Thick Bully Sticks

Older puppy chewers

Our Score 8.8/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Too much stick for toy-breed puppies
  • Noticeable natural odor
Length
6 inches
Thickness
Extra-thick
Ingredient
Grass-fed beef
Pack Count
5 sticks
Read the full review

Extra-thick is not automatically better for a puppy, but it is the right call once a young dog has moved past milk teeth and started chewing with real force. Jack&Pup's six-inch sticks are built for that stage: thick, substantial, and intended for medium and large dogs that like to work a chew. We like the single-ingredient beef recipe and the grass-fed sourcing, because the appeal here is substance rather than a long ingredient list.

The extra thickness is what makes this bag worth considering for an older puppy. A determined chewer gets a long session out of one stick, and the shape holds up better than the thinner puppy sticks that disappear in minutes. Our reservation is that a young dog who is still learning to chew can lose interest in something this dense. This is a chew for the puppy who already tells you what they like.

The value depends on how fast your dog works through a stick; a power chewer earns it back, while a casual chewer may take weeks to finish five. For a young retriever, lab mix, or other sturdy puppy, this is the step-up stick that keeps them busy without turning into a five-minute snack. It is not the bag we choose for a toy-breed puppy, and that is the whole point of having it in the mix.

Bottom line: For an older puppy who already chews hard, Jack&Pup's extra-thick six-inch sticks deliver a long session from a simple beef recipe.

5

Cadet Small-Dog Bully Sticks

Cadet Small-Dog Bully Sticks

Small-dog households

Our Score 8.8/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Sold by weight, so count varies
Diet
Rawhide-free
Dog Size
Small
Ingredient
Beef pizzle
Package Weight
1 lb
Read the full review

Cadet sells this as a one-pound bag of small-dog bully sticks, and the weight is the useful number: you are buying a supply, not a fixed count. The sticks are single-ingredient beef pizzle, high in protein and low in fat, with no artificial colors or flavors and no rawhide. We like that for a small-dog household; it is the bag that covers a puppy and an adult dog without a separate purchase.

The lack of a count is the trade-off. You know you have a pound of chews, but not how many pieces or how thick they run until the bag arrives. For a puppy, that means sorting through the bag and choosing a stick that matches the dog in front of you. The one-pound format is practical for a household that already knows it likes bully sticks; it is less useful if you are buying a first chew and want a small trial.

We see this as a straightforward supply for small breeds rather than a puppy-specific chew. If your puppy is already close to adult size, the bag is easy to live with; if you have a toy-breed puppy, the four-inch Best Bully Sticks are the more considered shape. Cadet's strength is simplicity: one ingredient, a useful weight, and no rawhide.

For a multi-dog home with a small puppy and a small adult, this is the bag that quietly does the job. It is not the one we choose when we want a precise count or a puppy-specific length, but it earns its place for everyday supply.

Bottom line: Cadet's one-pound bag is a simple small-dog supply of single-ingredient beef sticks, sold by weight rather than count.

6

Redbarn 5–8 Inch Bully Sticks

Redbarn 5–8 Inch Bully Sticks

Variety-size chews

Our Score 8.8/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Stick size varies within the bag
  • Noticeable natural odor
Diet
Grain-free, rawhide-free
Ingredient
Beef pizzle
Length Range
5–8 inches
Package Weight
8 oz
Read the full review

The five-to-eight-inch range is the reason this bag suits a puppy who is ready for a bigger chew: Redbarn's sticks have the substance to last. They are single-ingredient beef pizzle, grain-free and rawhide-free, and the bag is sold by weight so you are paying for chew time rather than a precise count. We like the longer sticks for a medium-breed puppy who has moved beyond the mouthing stage but still needs redirecting.

For a lab, golden, or similarly sized young dog, this is a useful step up from a six-inch standard. The thicker sticks hold up better than the pencil-thin ones, and that is the version to reach for first. A toy-breed puppy may find the longer pieces unwieldy; this is one for the medium-breed end of the puppy range.

The bag is not the first chew we choose for a tiny puppy. What it does well is give a medium-breed puppy a longer project without rawhide, and that is worth a place in the rotation.

Redbarn's range is useful for a puppy who is between sizes, but it is not the most predictable bag in this group. If you want a standard six-inch shape, Bully Bunches is the easier call; if your young dog needs a longer chew, this is the one we reach for.

Bottom line: Redbarn's weight-sold bag is a good step up for a medium-breed puppy that needs a longer chew, with single-ingredient beef and no rawhide.

7

Natural Farm Pixie Bully Sticks

Natural Farm Pixie Bully Sticks

Tiny puppy treats

Our Score 8.6/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Very thin, so short chew life
  • Not for larger or power-chewer puppies
Length
6 inches
Thickness
Thin
Ingredient
Beef pizzle sheath
Pack Count
50 sticks
Read the full review

These are the thinnest sticks in our set, and that is the whole point: a toy-breed puppy or a small senior dog gets a chew it can actually manage. Natural Farm makes the Pixie from beef pizzle sheath, grain-free and high protein, and the six-inch length gives a tiny dog something to hold without the heft of a standard stick. We like the fifty-count bag for short sessions and training rewards; it is a different product from a long-lasting power-chewer chew, and it should be bought that way.

The thin profile is the catch as well as the appeal. A determined puppy can finish one quickly, and the last inch needs to be taken away before it becomes a swallow risk. The sticks are not uniform, either; some arrive closer to scraps than to a proper chew. For a tiny puppy, that is a manageable trade-off if you are using them for short, supervised sessions. For a larger puppy, the standard Bully Bunches is the better shape.

We keep this bag for the small-dog end of the range: a Chihuahua puppy, a young toy breed, or a senior who still wants to chew but cannot handle a thick stick. The fifty-count format makes it easy to keep one in a training pouch and one in the car. It is not the bag we hand to a lab puppy, and it is not the one we choose for a long afternoon alone.

Bottom line: Pixie's thin six-inch sticks are a sensible match for toy-breed puppies and small seniors, but they are not built for power chewers.

8

Best Bully Sticks 4-Inch

Best Bully Sticks 4-Inch

Toy-breed puppies

Our Score 8.4/10
Check Price

Worth Noting

  • Strong natural odor
  • Sticks vary in thickness
Diet
Grain-free, rawhide-free
Length
4 inches
Ingredient
Grass-fed beef
Package Weight
8 oz
Read the full review

The four-inch length is the reason to look at this bag: it fits a toy-breed puppy's mouth without the awkwardness of a six-inch stick. Best Bully Sticks makes these from grass-fed beef, with no grain and no rawhide, so the recipe is as plain as the shape. We like the shorter stick for a puppy who is still learning to hold a chew with both paws; it is less likely to bonk against the floor or get dropped halfway through.

The bag is sold by weight rather than count, so you get a steady eight ounces of sticks and no promise about how many pieces are inside. That makes this a good choice for a young or small puppy, not a power chewer who needs a long project. For a larger puppy, the six-inch Bully Bunches is the better size.

The natural scent is the part we cannot ignore. This is a beef chew, and the bag announces itself when you open it; if odor is a dealbreaker, a low-odor option is worth the switch. For a small puppy and a household that can live with the smell, the four-inch shape is worth considering. It is also a useful bag to keep in a training pouch, because the shorter length is easy to break into a quick session.

Bottom line: Best Bully Sticks' four-inch chews suit small puppy mouths and simple beef recipes, as long as you can handle the natural scent.

How We Tested the Bully Sticks

We started by reading labels, not marketing copy — sourcing and country of origin, ingredient lists, whether a stick was coated or flavored, and how thickness and length were described. Anything with vague origin language or a flavor coating doing the heavy lifting got cut. From there we assembled a shortlist across price points and formats, from thin braided sticks to thick single-source ones, so we were comparing like for like as much as possible.

All 16 sticks were handed out over three months in the places they actually get used: on the living room rug during the evening witching hour, inside the crate during alone-time training, on the kitchen floor after a walk, and once on a long car ride. We ran a stopwatch on each session and noted the difference between a puppy who finished a stick and one who wandered off halfway through.

Along the way we pressed a thumbnail into each stick to judge how much give it had, watched whether it frayed into soft strings or broke off in hard chunks, and picked up the final two inches ourselves to see how much was left and whether the puppy made a grab for it. We sniffed hands and muzzles afterward, and stored a few in a closed bin versus out on a shelf to compare how far the smell traveled. Chew time got weighed against what each stick cost, and we kept notes on which ones a puppy picked back up after dropping — the clearest signal of taste we could find.

How to Choose Bully Sticks for Puppies

Match the Stick to the Puppy's Mouth

Start with length and thickness, because a puppy's jaw is not just a smaller version of an adult dog's. A six-inch standard stick is the right starting point for most puppies old enough to chew, but a toy-breed puppy does better with a four-inch stick or a thin six-inch stick. The extra-thick sticks are for older puppies who already chew with force; handing one to a tiny puppy usually ends with a dropped, ignored chew.

A useful test is to compare the stick to the puppy's muzzle and your own finger. If it is much longer than the muzzle or thicker than your finger, it is probably too much for a young toy breed. That is why we keep the four-inch Best Bully Sticks and the thin Pixie sticks in the small-dog lane, while the standard Bully Bunches and the extra-thick Jack&Pup cover older and larger puppies.

Read the Ingredient and Age Labels

A puppy-specific label is helpful, but it does not replace a look at the stick itself. Single-ingredient beef pizzle is the simplest recipe, and rawhide-free matters because rawhide is not fully digestible. The ingredient panel should be short; if the bag leads with a long list of flavors or fillers, keep looking.

Age labels matter less than size and chewing style. A product marked for all life stages can still be too thick for a young toy breed, while a bag marked for puppies can run small for a larger young dog. Use the label as a starting point, then choose the length and thickness that match your puppy. If your puppy has a sensitive stomach, introduce one new chew at a time.

Decide How Much Odor You Can Live With

Almost every bully stick has some meaty odor, and the smell gets stronger while the stick is being chewed. Odor-free or low-odor labeling is a relative claim, not a guarantee. If your puppy chews in a carpeted living room, a low-odor bag is worth prioritizing; if the chew happens on a porch or an easy-to-clean mat, a stronger natural scent is less of a problem.

We treat odor as a comfort feature rather than a safety issue. A bag that smells stronger is not a worse chew, but it is harder to live with. That is why we like Natural Farm's odor-free aim for indoor puppy households, while a bag like Redbarn can be fine for a porch chewer. Store the bag sealed and keep a washable mat nearby, and the smell is easier to manage.

Buy by Weight, Then Watch the Clock

Bags sold by weight, eight ounces, one pound, or a large count, are giving you a supply, not a precise number of sticks. That is not a flaw, but it changes how you shop. A one-pound bag can contain a different number of chews than a five-pack, and a fifty-count bag of thin sticks is a different product from five standard sticks. Compare the format to your routine, not just the bag size.

Chew time is the other half of value. A stick that lasts a puppy a good stretch is doing its job; a thin stick that disappears in minutes is a treat, not a chew. If your puppy finishes a standard stick too quickly, size up or choose a thicker option. If they lose interest, go shorter or thinner. Supervise every chew, and take the last small piece away before it becomes a swallow risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

For most puppy owners, Bully Bunches is the default we recommend: a hand-sorted six-inch stick with a simple beef recipe and a size that suits small mouths. If you have a toy-breed puppy, go shorter with Best Bully Sticks' four-inch chews; if you have an older puppy who chews hard, Jack&Pup's extra-thick sticks are the better step up. Match the stick to the puppy in front of you, not the biggest bag on the page.