Reviewed by Marcus Maximo, Natural Farm Pet Expert · Updated April 2026
Are Bully Sticks Safe for Puppies? Quick Answer
- Yes, from 6 months and older, with supervision and the right format. Bully sticks are a natural, single-ingredient chew that softens progressively, which can be gentler on developing teeth than harder alternatives.
- Standard 6" is the recommended starting format until 12 months. Thicker, longer, or denser formats (Extra Thick, 12", Power) are generally not the best fit before most puppies have developed full adult jaw strength.
- Start with short sessions: 5-10 minutes for the first few weeks, building gradually. Puppies' digestive systems are still maturing and sudden introduction of rich protein can cause loose stools.
- Always supervise. Remove the chew when it gets short enough to swallow whole. This applies to puppies and adult dogs equally.
Not recommended for puppies under 6 months. If your puppy has any dental or digestive concerns, check with your vet before introducing any new chew.
If you're asking are bully sticks safe for puppies, you probably have a young pup chewing everything in sight: furniture, shoes, your hands. And you are wondering whether a bully stick is a safe option or something to wait on. The question is a good one, because the right answer depends on age, size, and how you introduce it, not just a yes or no.
This guide covers the age threshold, the right format for a puppy's developing teeth, how to introduce bully sticks safely, and the signs that a session has gone too long or the chew is not the right fit yet.
This guide focuses on puppies specifically. For the full range of natural chews suitable for puppies, see Safe Natural Chews for Puppies Australia. For the complete bully stick buying guide, see Bully Sticks Australia: The Ultimate Odour-Free Guide.
Part of our Australian dog chew series: Safe Chews for Puppies Australia · Bully Sticks Australia Guide · What Size Bully Stick for My Dog? · Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea?
In This Guide:
From What Age Can Puppies Have Bully Sticks?
The recommended starting age for bully sticks is 6 months. Before this point, puppies are still losing their deciduous (baby) teeth and growing in their permanent adult teeth. Introducing a firm chew during active teething, when teeth are at their most vulnerable, may increase the risk of tooth fracture or gum irritation compared to after the adult teeth are established. This is consistent with guidance from RSPCA Australia on appropriate chewing behaviour for dogs at different life stages.
From 6 months, most puppies have most of their adult teeth in place and can manage a standard bully stick safely with supervision. The timing is a guideline. Individual puppies vary in their dental development, and if you are uncertain about where your puppy is in their teething process, a quick check with your vet is the most reliable way to confirm readiness.
| Puppy Age | Dental Stage | Bully Stick? | Recommended Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 3 months | Baby teeth coming in | No | Vet-approved teething toys only |
| 3-6 months | Active teething: baby teeth falling out, adult teeth coming in | Not yet | Soft chews, collagen sticks (check with vet) |
| 6-12 months | Adult teeth established, jaw still developing | Yes, Standard 6" as conservative starting point | Short supervised sessions, 5-10 min to start |
| 12 months+ | Full adult jaw strength developing | Yes, format based on weight and chewing style | See sizing guide |
The Right Size and Format for Puppies
Size selection matters more for puppies than for adult dogs. The right format depends on the puppy's weight and breed, but the general rule is to start small and conservative, then adjust based on how they handle it.
| Puppy Weight | Typical Breeds | Recommended Format | Session Length to Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5kg | Maltese, Chihuahua, toy breeds | Standard 6" with close supervision | 3-5 minutes |
| 5-10kg | Cavoodle, Shih Tzu, Frenchie pup | Standard 6" | 5-10 minutes |
| 10-20kg | Labrador pup, Kelpie pup, Spoodle | Standard 6" | 5-10 minutes |
| 20kg+ | GSD pup, Rottweiler pup, large breeds | Standard 6" as a starting point, assess at 12 months | 5-10 minutes |
Generally not the best fit before 12 months: Extra Thick, Large 12", Power Bully Sticks, and Braided Bladder are designed for dogs with developed adult jaw strength. RSPCA Australia recommends matching chew type and size to the dog's age and stage of development. Introducing denser or longer formats before 12 months increases the risk of the puppy attempting to swallow larger pieces before the chew has softened sufficiently. When in doubt, keep to Standard 6" until your vet confirms the puppy's dental development is complete. For help choosing the right format after 12 months, see What Size Bully Stick for My Dog?
How to Introduce Bully Sticks to a Puppy
The most common mistake is giving a full session on day one. A puppy's digestive system is not used to a rich concentrated protein source, and a long first session is more likely to cause loose stools than a gradual introduction over 5-7 days.
Supervision and Safety Rules
Supervision during chewing sessions is important for all dogs but especially for puppies, who have not yet learned how to manage a chew safely. These rules apply from the first session onwards.
Always supervise
Never leave a puppy alone with a bully stick. Puppies are more likely than adult dogs to attempt to swallow a large piece rather than chew it down. Stay in the same room and check in regularly.
Remove when short
Take the stick away when it gets short enough that the puppy could swallow it whole. For puppies, this threshold is higher than for adult dogs. When the remaining piece is roughly the length of the puppy's muzzle, it is time to end the session.
Fresh water available
Chewing is thirsty work. Make sure fresh water is available before, during, and after the session. Puppies are more susceptible to dehydration than adult dogs.
Do not give just before meals
A bully stick given right before a meal can reduce appetite and lead the puppy to skip or reduce their main food. Puppies need consistent nutrition for growth. Give the chew at least 30-60 minutes after a main meal.
Signs the Chew Is Not the Right Fit Yet
Most puppies from 6 months handle bully sticks well with a gradual introduction. These are the signals that suggest slowing down or checking with a vet before continuing.
Why Bully Sticks Work Well for Puppies
Not all natural chews are equally suited to puppies. The key properties that make bully sticks a good fit from 6 months are:
Progressive softening
A bully stick starts firm and softens as it absorbs moisture from chewing. This means the texture adapts to the puppy's developing jaw rather than staying hard throughout the session, unlike antlers or hard bones which maintain constant firmness.
Single natural protein
100% grass-fed beef pizzle with no additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients. For puppies whose digestive systems are still maturing, a simple single-ingredient chew is easier to introduce than one with multiple components.
Digestible
Bully sticks are fully digestible when swallowed in small pieces, unlike rawhide which can form a rubbery mass in the stomach. For a puppy whose digestive system is not fully mature, digestibility matters more than it does for adults.
Redirects chewing instinct
Puppies chew to explore, to relieve teething discomfort, and because chewing itself is self-reinforcing. A bully stick gives them an appropriate outlet for that instinct during the period when destructive chewing is at its peak.
What to avoid before 6 months: hard chews such as antlers, raw bones, and nylon chews may present a higher risk of tooth fracture during active teething, a concern noted by Vet Voice Australia. Very soft or rubbery chews that can be torn into chunks also present a choking risk for young puppies. From 3-6 months, the safest options are purpose-made teething aids and vet-approved soft chews. Check with your vet if you are unsure what is appropriate for your puppy's specific breed and development stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bully sticks safe for puppies?
Yes, from 6 months and older, with supervision and the right format. Standard 6" bully sticks are a natural, single-protein chew that softens progressively, which can be gentler on developing teeth than harder alternatives. Before 6 months, puppies are actively teething and firmer chews carry a higher risk of tooth damage. From 6 months, start with short supervised sessions of 5-10 minutes and build gradually based on how your puppy responds.
What age can puppies have bully sticks?
The recommended starting age is 6 months. By this point, most puppies have established their permanent adult teeth and the active teething phase is largely complete. Before 6 months, the risk of tooth fracture or gum irritation from a firm chew is higher. Individual puppies vary in their dental development, so if you are unsure where your puppy is in their teething process, checking with your vet is the most reliable guide.
How long should a puppy chew a bully stick?
Start with 5-10 minutes for the first week, with supervision throughout. Build gradually to 15-20 minutes as the puppy's digestive system adjusts and you confirm they are handling it well. Full adult session lengths are appropriate once the puppy is over 12 months. Always remove the chew when it becomes short enough to swallow whole, regardless of how long the session has been.
Can a 4-month-old puppy have a bully stick?
Not recommended at 4 months. Puppies at this age are actively losing their baby teeth and growing in adult teeth, and their gums and developing teeth are more vulnerable to damage from firmer chews. The recommended starting age is 6 months. At 4 months, purpose-made teething aids and very soft chews are the safer option. Check with your vet for specific advice on what is appropriate for your puppy's breed and current dental stage.
Can bully sticks cause diarrhoea in puppies?
They can if introduced too quickly or if the session is too long before the puppy's digestive system has adjusted. Loose stools after the first few sessions are relatively common if the full stick is given at once. The solution is a gradual 5-day introduction starting with 3-5 minute sessions, which gives the digestive system time to adapt to a new rich protein source. If loose stools persist beyond the introduction period or are accompanied by vomiting, contact your vet. For the full guide, see Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea?
How often can I give my puppy a bully stick?
A starting frequency of 3-4 times per week tends to work well for most puppies from 6 months. Daily chews may exceed the calorie budget for smaller puppies and can put more strain on a still-maturing digestive system than less frequent sessions. As the puppy grows and approaches 12 months, you can reassess frequency based on size, weight, and how they are handling the chew. Factor the bully stick calories (approximately 88 kcal for a standard 6") into their total daily treat allowance.
What size bully stick is best for a puppy?
Standard 6" for all puppies from 6-12 months, regardless of breed size. This format starts firm and softens progressively with chewing, which is appropriate for developing teeth. Thicker, longer, or denser formats are not recommended before 12 months. After 12 months, match the format to your dog's weight and chewing style. See What Size Bully Stick for My Dog? for the full sizing guide.
Are bully sticks better than rawhide for puppies?
Bully sticks are often considered a safer and more digestible option than rawhide for puppies. Rawhide can swell and become a rubbery mass in the stomach if swallowed in a large piece, and is often treated with chemicals during processing. Bully sticks are fully digestible when broken into small pieces and are made from a single natural protein source with no chemical treatment. For a full comparison, see Bully Sticks vs Rawhide Australia.
Are bully sticks good for puppies that are teething?
Bully sticks are not recommended during active teething, which is roughly 3-6 months when baby teeth are falling out and adult teeth are coming through. At that stage, gums are sensitive and developing teeth are more vulnerable to damage from firm chews. Once the adult teeth are established at around 6 months, bully sticks can actually be a helpful chewing outlet as the puppy transitions out of the teething phase. The progressive softening of a standard bully stick makes it gentler than harder chews at this stage.
Can an 8-week-old puppy have a bully stick?
No. At 8 weeks, puppies are too young for bully sticks. Their baby teeth are still coming in, their jaws are very small, and their digestive systems are not ready for a concentrated protein chew. The recommended starting age is 6 months, when most puppies have their adult teeth in place. At 8 weeks, purpose-made puppy teething toys are the appropriate option. Check with your vet before introducing any chew to a very young puppy.
What are bully sticks made of?
Bully sticks are made from 100% grass-fed beef pizzle, the dried and slow-roasted muscle of the bull. Natural Farm bully sticks contain no additives, bleach, chemicals, or preservatives. The ingredient is a single natural protein source, which is part of what makes them digestible and straightforward to introduce to a puppy's diet. For the full breakdown of what they contain and how they are made, see What Are Bully Sticks Made Of?
What are the best bully sticks for puppies?
For puppies from 6 months, the best format is a Standard 6" bully stick from a producer that slow-roasts without chemical treatment. The key things to look for: single ingredient (beef pizzle only), no bleach or whitening agents, slow-roasted rather than flash-baked, and odour-free. Avoid very thin sticks that could become a choking risk quickly, and avoid denser formats like Extra Thick or Power before 12 months. Natural Farm Standard Bully Sticks meet all of these criteria and are the recommended starting format for puppies. See the full range here.
Are bully sticks safe for small dog puppies?
Yes, from 6 months with close supervision. Small breed puppies (Cavoodles, Maltese, Chihuahuas) can have Standard 6" bully sticks, but the supervision requirement is higher than for larger breeds. Small puppies may reach the threshold where the remaining piece is swallowable more quickly, so check the stick regularly during the session and remove it earlier. Start with very short sessions of 3-5 minutes for puppies under 5kg and build slowly. The calorie consideration is also more significant: at 88 kcal per stick, a small puppy may only have room for a bully stick 1-2 times per week alongside other treats.
Should I use a bully stick holder for my puppy?
A bully stick holder can be a useful safety tool for puppies, particularly once the stick gets short enough to present a swallowing risk. Holders grip the end of the stick so the puppy can continue chewing safely without being able to gulp the last piece whole. They are especially worth considering for puppies who chew quickly or enthusiastically. If you use a holder, make sure it is sized appropriately for your puppy and that the stick is secured firmly. Always supervise regardless of whether a holder is in use.
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Single-ingredient dog chews and treats, grass-fed, produced in human-grade facilities under international quality standards, lab tested, and shipped to Australian dog owners with free delivery on orders over $75 AUD. Aligned with PFIAA standards for the Australian market.