Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea? Causes, Fixes & Safe Chewing Guide
Reviewed by Marcus Maximo, Natural Farm Pet Expert Β· Updated May 2026
Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea? Quick Answer
- Yes, but almost always for one fixable reason: too much too soon. Beef pizzle is dense, high-protein muscle meat. A dog's gut tends to need time to adjust.
- Cheap brands can be a second cause. Poorly dried bully sticks may trap moisture, which can breed bacteria. That bacterial load goes straight to your dog's gut.
- The fix is gradual introduction: start with 10 to 15 minute sessions and build up over 5 days.
- Beef allergies are possible but rare. If your dog consistently reacts to all beef products, a different protein source is worth exploring with your vet.
Recommended for dogs 6 months and older. Always supervise your dog with any chew and provide fresh water.
If you're wondering can bully sticks cause diarrhoea, your dog has probably just demolished one and now their tummy is off. Fair enough to be worried, but do not panic just yet. Bully sticks tend to be one of the safer natural chews on the market, and an upset stomach after the first session is almost always too much too soon, not a sign the product is dangerous.
Check the warning signs below to rule out anything serious. Then we cover exactly why it happens and how to prevent it next time.
This guide covers digestive reactions specifically. For a full overview of bully stick safety, sizing, and formats, see Bully Sticks Australia: The Ultimate Odour-Free Guide.
Part of our Australian bully sticks series: Bully Sticks Australia Guide Β· What Are Bully Sticks Made Of? Β· How Often to Give a Bully Stick Β· Safe for Puppies? Β· Shop Bully Sticks
In This Guide:
Is This an Emergency? Warning Signs to Watch For
Most cases of post-chew stomach upset are mild and tend to resolve within 24 hours. But there are situations where you should contact your vet straight away, particularly if you are dealing with more than just loose stools.
3 Reasons Bully Sticks Might Upset Your Dog's Tummy
If you have ruled out anything serious, the next question is why it happened. Not all stomach upset after a bully stick has the same cause, and the fix depends on which one you are dealing with.
1. Too Much, Too Soon
This tends to be the most common cause by a long shot. Beef pizzle is 100% dense, pure muscle meat, extraordinarily rich in protein and amino acids. If your dog is used to standard dry kibble and suddenly polishes off an entire 12-inch bully stick in one sitting, their gut may not have the enzymes ready to handle that protein spike. Loose stools can be the predictable result.
This tends to be largely preventable with a gradual introduction protocol. It is not a sign that bully sticks are wrong for your dog. It is a sign they need more time to adjust. Most dogs are handling full sessions comfortably within a week.
2. Poor Quality and Bacteria
Not all bully sticks are clean. Mass-produced imports tend to be flash-baked rather than properly dried, which can leave moisture trapped inside. That moisture can become a breeding ground for bacteria during storage and shipping. When your dog eats it, that bacterial load goes straight to their gut.
This tends to be specifically a cheap-brand problem. A properly slow-roasted bully stick, dried for 72+ hours at low temperature, has had the residual moisture extracted, leaving little for bacteria to feed on. According to Vet Voice Australia, contamination from poorly produced chews is a documented cause of gastrointestinal issues in dogs. If your dog regularly gets an upset stomach from pet store bully sticks, switching to a properly produced premium stick often resolves the issue.
Quick test: Smell the bully stick before you give it to your dog. A premium odour-free stick should have minimal scent even before chewing. If it smells strongly before your dog even touches it, the drying process was likely inadequate and bacterial growth is possible. Put it in the bin.
3. Beef Protein Intolerance
Some dogs may have a genuine intolerance or allergy to beef proteins. This is relatively uncommon but worth ruling out if your dog consistently gets an upset tummy from anything beef-based, including their regular food, beef treats, and bully sticks, regardless of brand or how gradually you introduce them.
If this sounds like your dog, the solution is a different protein source. Pig Ears and other non-beef options can provide the same chewing enrichment without the reaction. Check with your vet if you suspect a food allergy. They can advise on an elimination diet to confirm the specific trigger.
How to Introduce a Bully Stick Safely
RSPCA Australia recognises chewing as a normal behaviour that should be channelled toward safe, suitable chews. Gradual introduction tends to be the practical way to avoid stomach upset for any new high-value chew. Follow this protocol and stomach upset tends to be largely avoidable, even for sensitive dogs.
Always provide fresh water alongside any chew session. Chewing is physically demanding and a well-hydrated dog tends to handle the protein processing better. A dog who drinks water straight after a long chew session is telling you they were working hard. That tends to be normal and healthy.
Have a puppy? Bully sticks are only recommended for dogs 6 months and older. For puppies, as a conservative starting point, start with an even shorter 5-minute session and wait 48 hours between the first few chews before extending. A puppy's digestive system is still maturing and typically needs more time than an adult dog. For a full guide, see Are Bully Sticks Safe for Puppies?
How to Pick a Gut-Safe Bully Stick
The brand can matter more than most Aussie dog owners realise. Here is what to look for when buying bully sticks with your dog's stomach in mind.
| What to Check | Gut-Safe Sign | Red Flag |
|---|---|---|
| Drying method | Slow-roasted 72+ hours | Flash-baked, no drying time listed |
| Cleaning process | Water-cleaned only | Bleached or chemically treated |
| Colour | Dark brown: natural roast colour | Bright white: artificially bleached |
| Smell before chewing | Minimal scent before session starts | Strong foul smell before dog touches it |
| Ingredient list | One ingredient: beef pizzle | Preservatives, flavourings, additives |
| Sourcing | Grass-fed, traceable supply chain | Feedlot or unknown origin |
Quick Pick: Best Option for Your Dog's Situation
Use this to find the right starting point based on your dog's specific situation.
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Subscribe & Save 15% OffFrequently Asked Questions
Can bully sticks cause diarrhoea in dogs?
Yes, bully sticks can cause diarrhoea if introduced too quickly or if the brand is low quality. Beef pizzle is rich, dense muscle protein and a dog's gut tends to need time to adjust. Poor-quality bully sticks can also carry bacterial contamination from inadequate drying. The fix in most cases is a 5-day gradual introduction starting with 10-15 minute sessions, and choosing a properly slow-roasted, water-cleaned stick rather than cheap supermarket imports.
My dog had diarrhoea after their first bully stick. Should I stop giving them?
Not necessarily. If it was their first time and symptoms were mild loose stools that resolved within 24 hours, this tends to be a "too much too soon" reaction. Give their stomach a couple of days to settle, then reintroduce with 10 to 15 minute sessions and build up gradually over 5 days. Most dogs handle full sessions comfortably once they have adjusted. If symptoms were severe, including vomiting, blood in stool, or lasting more than 48 hours, contact your vet before reintroducing.
How many bully sticks can a dog have per day?
One per day tends to be the standard recommendation for most healthy adult dogs. Bully sticks are a protein-dense treat, not a meal replacement. A standard stick adds roughly 88 kcal to your dog's daily intake, so factor that into their calorie budget. For smaller dogs or dogs on a weight-conscious diet, every other day can be a sensible frequency. For the full calorie breakdown and frequency guide by dog size, see How Often Should I Give My Dog a Bully Stick?
Are bully sticks safe for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
Yes, with careful introduction. A premium, single-ingredient, grass-fed bully stick tends to be one of the cleanest protein sources you can give a sensitive dog: no fillers, no chemical residues, no additives that could trigger a reaction. Start with very short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes and extend over 7 to 10 days rather than the standard 5. Avoid cheap brands entirely. The bacterial load and chemical residues from poorly produced sticks can be far harder on a sensitive gut than the bully stick ingredient itself.
Do bully sticks cause diarrhoea in puppies?
They can if introduced too quickly, particularly because a puppy's digestive system is still maturing. Bully sticks are recommended for puppies 6 months and older. At that age, start with standard size and use 5-minute sessions initially. Wait 48 hours between the first few chews. A puppy who gets loose stools from their first bully stick almost always settles with a slower introduction. For the full guide, see Are Bully Sticks Safe for Puppies?
What makes Natural Farm bully sticks different in the Australian market?
Natural Farm bully sticks are produced specifically for Australian dog owners who want a clean, gut-safe chew. Three things tend to set the brand apart in the Australian market: 100% grass-fed sourcing with full supply chain transparency, water-only cleaning (zero bleach or chemicals that can irritate sensitive stomachs), and a 72-hour slow roast that extracts moisture and tends to reduce bacterial load. Operating from our Brisbane office, we ship Australia-wide with free delivery on orders over $75 AUD and align with PFIAA standards. Many pet store alternatives in Australia tend to be repackaged imports with chemical washes and flash-baking, which can leave bacterial residues and are common causes of digestive upset in Aussie dogs.
What should I do if my dog has an upset stomach from a bully stick?
For mild cases: remove the chew, contact your vet for guidance on whether to withhold food briefly, and ensure fresh water is available. Monitor stools over the next 24 hours. Most mild cases tend to resolve on their own. For more serious symptoms including vomiting, blood in stool, lethargy, or a swollen abdomen, contact your vet immediately. Do not attempt to reintroduce the chew until your dog has fully recovered and you have identified the cause.
Where can I buy gut-safe bully sticks in Australia and how much do they cost?
Natural Farm bully sticks are available directly from naturalfarmpet.com.au, shipped Australia-wide from our Brisbane office. Water-cleaned, slow-roasted for 72+ hours, single-ingredient grass-fed beef. Prices start at $19.95 AUD for Standard 6", $21.95 AUD for Extra Thick, and $37.99 AUD for Large 12" (GST included). Free shipping on orders over $75 AUD. Subscribe & Save members get 15% off every delivery. Delivery typically takes 2-4 business days for NSW, VIC, and ACT, 1-3 days for QLD, and up to 7 days for WA and NT.
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About Natural Farm
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.