Quick answer: Store bully sticks in a cool, dry, dark place inside an airtight container, and always let a partially chewed stick dry out completely before you put it back. Kept this way, our 100% natural, single-ingredient bully sticks stay fresh, safe, and ready for your dog for months. You generally do not need the fridge or freezer.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. Bully sticks are a favorite around here for good reason: they're single-ingredient chews made from 100% real meat, fully digestible, with no rawhide. Because they're a real animal protein and not a heavily processed treat, a little care in how you store them goes a long way. Here's exactly how to do it.
How should you store bully sticks?
The goal is simple: keep moisture, heat, and pests away. Follow these five steps and your sticks will keep well.
1. Keep them dry
Moisture is the main thing that shortens a bully stick's shelf life. If your dog has been working on one, let it air-dry fully before storing it again. A spot near a window or a fan works well for drying.
2. Choose a cool, dark spot
Heat and light degrade natural chews over time. A pantry, cupboard, or closet away from sunlight and the stove keeps sticks in good shape. Room temperature is fine.
3. Use an airtight container
An airtight jar or container keeps sticks fresh longer and keeps out bugs and pests. A glass jar with a sealing lid or a food-grade plastic bin both work. This also helps contain the natural smell.
4. Skip the fridge and freezer (usually)
For everyday storage you don't need to refrigerate or freeze bully sticks, and doing so can actually introduce condensation and moisture. The exception is an unusual situation such as a long heatwave or a pest problem; in that case, seal them tightly first so they don't pick up moisture.
5. Separate chewed sticks from new ones
Keep the stick your dog is currently working on apart from your unopened, fresh supply, the same way you'd separate leftovers from fresh food. A chewed, damp stick can affect the ones around it.
How long do bully sticks last in storage?
Stored properly, an unopened bully stick will typically keep for many months. Because ours are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and contain nothing but beef, freshness really comes down to keeping them dry and cool. A partially chewed stick is best used up within a few days, and you should always toss any stick that smells off or has been left damp.
Are bully sticks safe to store and give regularly?
Yes. Bully sticks are a highly digestible, single-ingredient protein chew, which is one reason they're gentler on the stomach than many other treats. As with any chew, give them in moderation, supervise your dog, and take away small end-pieces that could be swallowed whole. The American Kennel Club offers a good overview of bully sticks and safe chewing habits (AKC: Bully Sticks, What You Should Know), and VCA Animal Hospitals has helpful general guidance on choosing dog treats (VCA: Treats for Dogs).
If you're chewing through your supply quickly, that's usually a good sign your dog loves them. Puppies can enjoy them too, with the right size and supervision, which we cover in our guide on bully sticks for puppies. And if you want to understand what makes a chew like this a smart pick, our post on bully sticks breaks it down.
The bottom line
Cool, dry, dark, and airtight, that's the whole formula. Let chewed sticks dry before storing, keep them away from heat and moisture, and skip the fridge unless you have a reason. Do that and our 100% high-quality guaranteed bully sticks will stay fresh and ready whenever your dog is.
This post was last updated at July 22, 2026 21:02
