Bully sticks or pizzle sticks are one of the most natural 100% single ingredient dog treats around. They are made from the penis of animals, and while beef might be the most well-known stick, any other animal can be used, such as pigs or bison or even kangaroo etc.
Bully sticks are famous for being a very long-lasting chew, for having a great palatability, and benefits of high protein and typically low-fat nutrition. They even provide one of the best dental health options around.
But this is one aspect of bully sticks that few owners think of: reducing dog anxiety and boredom.
Bully sticks dog treats stress relief.
Many people are interested in resolving dog separation anxiety. This happens almost regardless of how much exercise some dogs have had in the morning before you head to work. Your dog isn’t sure you are going to return, and they don’t have a pack surrounding them, so they howl or consider self-harm by running into things trying to escape.
The stress relief comes from several channels. Firstly there is the primal aspect. For anyone who knows their recent evolution from grey wolves only 20,000 years ago, domestic dogs still maintain many of the drives that the wolves had. While they can’t always participate in a genuine hunt, they can enjoy the spoils of the hunt.
Since the hunt is tied up with a wolf’s survival, it remains as a strong driver of happiness in their brains. Dogs really enjoy ripping apart meat, like they would in the forest. But the wolf has limited time to consume the kill as it might leave them vulnerable. That is why having the luxury of time like a domestic dog does, but also being able to chew as hard as they like on a natural treat like a bully stick satisfies so many parts of their brain.
Bully sticks and dog hormone release
The main stress relief hormones in dogs and humans are epinephrine (adrenaline), cortisol, and norepinephrine. These are secreted in a fight or flight situation. When a dog is left alone at home, and gets to overthink missing their pack, a large deluge of these are released, putting the dog on edge. A sustained release of these is very bad for your dog, they overuse the receptors and can put a dog into a permanent stress workload.
When your dog chews a challenging piece of pure beef – one that is a real challenge, they get the opposite to the stress hormones, they get the release of Endorphins.
While the endorphin hormones are the dogs body’s natural pain reliever, it is actually releasing it in response to the stress or discomfort they feel because of the separation anxiety.
The chewing of the bully sticks are likely to increase as they continue to chew because they are engaging in reward-producing activities something that is very pleasurable. Your dog’s brain is not only getting nutrition from the bully stick, their jaw is getting a good workout and their primal nature is being satisfied.
CONCLUSION
There are a few other positive factors that dogs experience when chewing bully sticks, but just the nature of reducing their anxiety and boredom alone, should be celebrated.
Many owners have concerns about their dogs eating bones (raw or cooked large bones) so bully sticks provide them with a great alternative. One that is comparatively safe, long-lasting, and mentally stimulating to consume.
But as always with any treat, make sure you consult your vet for their advice on this particular wholesome treat, and watch how carefully your dog chews the stick, and especially the end of the treat to ensure they don’t wedge large pieces in their mouth or throat. You want them to be happy and distracted when away, but above all safe.
Happy bully stick and pizzle stick chewing !
