Q. Someone told me bully sticks that people give dogs as treats are really the penises of bulls. That can’t possibly be true, can it?
Sydney Catrell
Northfield, Minnesota
Dear Ms. Catrell,
A. It can, and it is. A bully stick is the penis of a steer or bull. We’re not fans of them as treats. Bully sticks are raw, and raw dog treats, just like raw dog food, can contain harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus and E. coli that can make a dog ill. Pig ears, too, which people commonly give as treats, are raw. And not only can the dog get sick, but so can you if you touch the raw food and don’t immediately wash your hands in hot soapy water so bacteria don’t colonize on you.
One more consideration: bully sticks pack a caloric punch — on the order of 9 to 22 calories per inch, or between 110 to 265 calories for a 12-inch treat.
