Reviewed by Marcus Maximo, Natural Farm Pet Expert · Updated April 2026
How Often Can I Give My Dog a Bully Stick? Quick Answer
- For most healthy medium to large adult dogs, one bully stick per day can fit within the daily treat allowance. A standard stick adds roughly 88 kcal.
- Small breeds, seniors, and overweight dogs need less frequency: every other day or 3-4 times per week is more appropriate given lower calorie budgets.
- The 10% rule applies to all treats combined. Bully sticks are not the only thing in the treat budget.
- Puppies (6 months+) should start with 3-4 sessions per week with short 5-minute chews, building up gradually.
Always provide fresh water alongside any chew session. Recommended for dogs 6 months and older only.
If you're wondering how often can I give my dog a bully stick, the short answer is once a day for most adult dogs. But your dog would happily have a bully stick every hour if you let them. The real question is: what fits safely within their daily calorie budget, given their specific size, age, and diet? The answer varies more than most guides admit.
This guide gives you the actual numbers: a weight-based calorie reference table, frequency by dog profile, and a clear explanation of how the 10% rule works in practice, including where it is commonly misapplied.
This guide covers frequency and calories specifically. For digestive reactions and safe introduction, see Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea? For the full AU buying guide, see Bully Sticks Australia: The Ultimate Odour-Free Guide.
Part of our Australian dog chew series: Bully Sticks Australia Guide · Can Bully Sticks Cause Diarrhoea? · Do Bully Sticks Go Bad? · Best Long-Lasting Dog Chews in Australia
In This Guide:
Frequency Guide by Dog Profile
Find your dog's profile below. These are starting points. Always adjust based on your dog's total treat intake across the day and check with your vet if managing a health condition.
Calorie Reference by Dog Weight
This table gives you the practical numbers for your dog specifically. Estimated daily calorie needs are a guide for typical adult dogs at maintenance weight. Active, growing, or recovering dogs will need more. Check with your vet for a personalised figure.
| Dog Weight | Est. Daily Calories | 10% Treat Budget | Standard Stick (88 kcal) | Suggested Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg (Maltese, toy breeds) | ~280 kcal | ~28 kcal | Exceeds budget on its own | 1-2x per week, short session |
| 10 kg (Cavoodle, Pug) | ~450 kcal | ~45 kcal | Almost 2x the budget | 3x per week max, skip other treats |
| 20 kg (Staffy, Beagle, Kelpie) | ~800 kcal | ~80 kcal | Fits comfortably | Once per day |
| 30 kg (Lab, GSD, Husky) | ~1,100 kcal | ~110 kcal | Fits, room for other treats | Once per day |
For overweight dogs: the number that matters is total calories consumed, not the fat percentage of the chew. A Large 12" stick at 215 kcal has low fat but more total calories than a Standard stick at 88 kcal. For dogs on a restricted diet, fewer sessions and shorter chews reduce the calorie load more effectively than switching formats. Always factor bully stick calories into daily meal calculations and discuss the right allowance with your vet.
Not sure which size format is right for your dog's weight and jaw strength? See our guide: What Size Bully Stick Should I Give My Dog in Australia?
The 10% Rule: How It Works in Practice
The 10% treat rule is a guideline from veterinary nutritionists: treats of any kind should not exceed 10% of a dog's total daily calorie intake. The remaining 90% should come from a complete and balanced main diet. This is consistent with guidance from RSPCA Australia.
The rule applies to all treats combined across the day, not just bully sticks. A dog who gets training treats, dental chews, and a bully stick may exceed the allowance without anyone noticing. The practical check: total up all treat calories for the day and make sure the combined figure stays under 10% of the daily requirement.
Where the rule gets misapplied: some dog owners focus on the fat percentage of a chew ("it's only 1% fat") rather than total calories. For a small or overweight dog, a chew with low fat but high calories still puts them over budget. What matters for weight management is total calorie intake, not macronutrient ratios.
Calorie Count by Natural Farm Format
Use this table alongside the weight reference above to find which format fits your dog's daily treat budget.
| Format | Approx. Calories | Protein | Fat | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Bully Stick | ~88 kcal | 93% | 3% | Small to medium dogs, puppies 6 months+ |
| Extra Thick Bully Stick | ~120-150 kcal | 93% | 3% | Medium to large dogs, stronger chewers |
| Large Bully Stick 12" | ~215 kcal | 93% | 1% | Large breeds with room in calorie budget |
| Power Bully Stick | ~180-220 kcal | High | Moderate | Large power chewers: Staffies, Kelpies, Bull Arabs |
Daily, A Few Times a Week, or Split Sessions?
Beyond raw frequency, how you structure the chew time matters. Three approaches work for different dogs and goals.
Signs You Are Giving Too Many (or Too Few)
Always track total treat calories, not just the bully stick. A dog that gets training treats, dental chews, and a bully stick all in the same day may exceed the 10% allowance without anyone noticing. As noted by Vet Voice Australia, overfeeding rich chews is a common contributor to weight gain in companion dogs.
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Subscribe & Save 15% OffFrequently Asked Questions
How often can I give my dog a bully stick?
For most healthy medium to large adult dogs, once per day can work within the 10% daily treat allowance. For small breeds, seniors, or overweight dogs, every other day or 3-4 times per week is more appropriate. For puppies from 6 months, start with 3-4 times per week using 5-minute sessions and build up gradually based on how their digestion responds.
Can I give my dog a bully stick every day?
Yes, for most healthy medium to large adult dogs, provided the bully stick calories stay within the 10% daily treat allowance. A 20kg dog needs approximately 800 kcal per day, meaning an 80 kcal treat budget. A standard bully stick at 88 kcal fits comfortably. For small dogs with lower total calorie needs, every other day is the safer default.
How many calories are in a bully stick?
A standard Natural Farm bully stick contains approximately 88 kcal. An Extra Thick stick is roughly 120-150 kcal. A Large 12" stick is approximately 215 kcal, higher in total calories despite having only 1% fat, because of its length. A Power Bully Stick is approximately 180-220 kcal due to its dual-layer beef construction. Always use the total calorie figure, not fat percentage, when calculating whether a chew fits your dog's daily allowance.
How long should a bully stick session last?
For adult dogs who have been introduced gradually, there is no strict time limit. A standard stick typically lasts 30-45 minutes for a moderate chewer, which is a natural session length. Remove the chew when it gets short enough to swallow whole, regardless of elapsed time. For puppies and dogs new to bully sticks, start with 5-10 minute sessions and build up over 5 days.
Can I give my dog a bully stick in the morning and another in the evening?
For most dogs this is likely to exceed the 10% daily treat allowance. Two standard sticks adds approximately 176 kcal in treats, which is around 22% of the daily budget for a 20kg dog. Giving a high-protein chew twice in a day may also cause loose stools, even in dogs that handle one stick perfectly well. One stick per day is the recommended approach for the vast majority of dogs.
Should I give a bully stick before or after meals?
After meals is generally better. A dog that has already eaten is less likely to rush through the chew, which reduces the risk of gulping a large final piece. Giving a high-value chew before a meal can also reduce appetite and lead to the dog leaving their main meal untouched. Giving the bully stick 30-60 minutes after the main meal works well for most dogs.
What is the 10% treat rule for dogs?
The 10% treat rule is a guideline from veterinary nutritionists: treats of all kinds should not exceed 10% of a dog's total daily calorie intake. For a 20kg dog eating roughly 800 kcal per day, the treat budget is about 80 kcal. For a 5kg dog eating 280 kcal, it is only 28 kcal. The rule applies to all treats combined across the day, not just bully sticks. A dog receiving training treats, dental chews, and a bully stick in the same day may exceed the allowance without anyone realising.
Can I give my dog a bully stick every day if they are on a diet?
It depends on the total calorie target. For dogs on a reduced-calorie plan, fewer sessions per week and shorter chew times are the most practical way to manage intake. Reducing kibble slightly on chew days can also help keep total daily calories consistent. Discuss the right allowance with your vet and use total calorie figures, not fat percentages, when calculating fit.
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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.