Short answer: a 6-inch bully stick is the right size for most small and medium dogs — think 10 to 50 pounds — and gives the average chewer somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes of work. If your dog is a heavy chewer or over 50 pounds, size up to a 12-inch stick instead. A 25-count pack is the size most people land on once they know their dog likes them: at one stick every day or two, it covers roughly a month.
I'm Preston, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. Below is what I'd tell a friend who asked me whether the 6-inch, 25-count pack is the one to buy.
What size dog is a 6-inch bully stick for?
Size is really about two things: how long the chew lasts, and whether the last inch becomes a choking risk.
- Puppies and small dogs (under 25 lbs): 6 inches is generous. Most will take several sessions to get through one.
- Medium dogs (25-50 lbs): the sweet spot. Long enough to hold with both paws, short enough that it isn't unwieldy.
- Large or aggressive chewers (50 lbs+): a 6-inch stick can disappear in ten minutes. Go 12-inch, or a thicker cut.
Whatever the size, take the stub away when it gets small enough to swallow whole — or use a bully stick holder. The American Kennel Club makes the same point about supervising the end of the chew.
Are bully sticks actually digestible?
Yes — and this is the real difference between a bully stick and rawhide. A bully stick is muscle, so it breaks down in the stomach the way any other protein does. Rawhide is a hide byproduct that can swell and lodge in the gut. VCA Animal Hospitals covers the rawhide risks in detail.
Our sticks are 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and no rawhide. One ingredient, nothing sprayed on, nothing added. If you want the longer version of that argument, I wrote it up in our guide to single-ingredient chews.
How many calories is a bully stick?
A 6-inch stick runs roughly 80-90 calories, depending on thickness. That's not nothing. The general veterinary guidance is to keep treats under about 10% of daily intake. For a 30-pound dog eating around 700 calories a day, one 6-inch stick is close to that ceiling. So: one a day for most dogs, and trim the dinner bowl slightly on stick days if your dog is watching their weight. The AAHA nutrition and weight management guidelines are a good reference if you want the detail.
Why buy 25 at a time?
Two honest reasons, and one caveat.
First, price per stick drops meaningfully in bulk — this is the main thing. Second, you stop running out, which matters more than it sounds if the bully stick is how you buy yourself a quiet half hour.
The caveat: don't start at 25. If you've never given your dog a bully stick, buy a small pack first. Some dogs are indifferent. Some owners find the smell more than they bargained for (it's real — it's a natural product, and it fades as the sticks air out). Once you know it's a yes, the 25-count is the obvious buy.
Where does the beef come from?
Ours are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms, and they're 100% high-quality guaranteed. I mention the sourcing because it's the part of this category people can't inspect for themselves, and it's where corners get cut. If a stick ever shows up that you're not happy with, tell us and we'll make it right.
How to store a 25-count pack
Cool, dry, and airtight. A sealed container in a pantry is fine — no refrigeration needed. They keep for months. If your kitchen runs humid, an airtight bin with the lid on is worth the two minutes.
Giving one to a puppy
Bully sticks are fine for puppies once they've got their adult chewing going, and 6 inches is the practical size for a small mouth. Start with short supervised sessions rather than handing over a stick for an hour — a puppy's stomach hasn't met this much protein before. More on that in bully sticks for puppies.
The bottom line
If you've got a small or medium dog who likes to chew, the 6-inch stick is the right size and the 25-count is the right quantity — about a month of daily chews at a per-stick price that makes the habit sustainable. Big dog or a serious chewer? Skip to the 12-inch. Never tried one? Buy five first, then come back for the 25.
This post was last updated at July 16, 2026 06:19
