Dog does not like bully sticks

4747 Views 14 Replies 9 Participants Last post by XTOL, Sep 19, 2010

TKInTN

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2010

Is there a way to entice a dog to chew bully sticks? I've given him bully sticks (separately) from 2 different pet stores but he does not show interest in any of them. I've even tried coating the sticks with cheese and he would just lick off the cheese and leave the sticks alone.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Stogey

· #2 · Sep 18, 2010

No body said these animals weren't picky eaters ...

Good_Karma

· #3 · Sep 18, 2010

My dogs were slow to get into bully sticks too. Maybe stick one end in a bit of hot water to soften it up and make it smell more. That might help get it started.

Stosh

· #4 · Sep 18, 2010

Mine weren't crazy about them at first either, but now they love them. Stosh doesn't like the ones that come in a plastic wrap from Petsmart but loves the ones that just have a tag on them from Petland. I think the ones from Petsmart are Chinese and I stay away from anything Chinese

TKInTN

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 18, 2010

I will try soften one end of the sticks ... thanks for the tip.

One of my bully sticks came from Brazil and the other from Texas, USA. I stay away from "Made in China" stuff too, and that's why I feel 'cheap' throwing away these sticks that cost significantly more than the ones from petsmart or petco ...

Looking @ the dog right now, he would rather bore himself than taking a bite @ the sticks ...

Stosh

· #6 · Sep 18, 2010

Go TX! We certainly have a lot of bulls here- maybe your pup would rather just look bored and pitiful so you'll play.

Lucy Dog

· #7 · Sep 18, 2010

How old is he? Lucy didn't start to get interested in bully sticks until she was at least 6 months old. Before that, she would sniff, take a couple bites, and just walk away. Now she'll eat a 12" one in about 25 minutes in one sitting.

Zoeys mom

· #8 · Sep 18, 2010

You can send your extras here,lol Both of mine looooove them

selzer

· #9 · Sep 18, 2010

Somebody told him what they were....

TKInTN

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 18, 2010

Lucy Dog said:
How old is he? Lucy didn't start to get interested in bully sticks until she was at least 6 months old. Before that, she would sniff, take a couple bites, and just walk away. Now she'll eat a 12" one in about 25 minutes in one sitting.

He is 1 year old (I don't know exactly his age, just taking words from the rescue).

I've tried softening the sticks and he still refused, sniffed then walked away... so, i guess it's time to find something else for him to occupy his mind while we've busy ...

Lucy Dog

· #11 · Sep 18, 2010

He might just not like bully sticks. Some dogs just don't like certain things.

Have you tried stuffing a kong with peanut butter or canned pumpkin? I do that all the time and lucy loves it.

Also, try going to the butcher and getting raw marrow bones. They cost me about $2 for 4 cuts, so they're much cheaper than bully sticks. Just throw them in the freezer and feed frozen. Depending on the size, one bone should keep him busy for at least 30 mins.

TKInTN

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 19, 2010

Lucy Dog said:
He might just not like bully sticks. Some dogs just don't like certain things.

Have you tried stuffing a kong with peanut butter or canned pumpkin? I do that all the time and lucy loves it.

Also, try going to the butcher and getting raw marrow bones. They cost me about $2 for 4 cuts, so they're much cheaper than bully sticks. Just throw them in the freezer and feed frozen. Depending on the size, one bone should keep him busy for at least 30 mins.

I did. Went to a pet store and got him a Kong yesterday and tried stuffing it with peanut butter and some treats this morning... he does not know how to use it yet so I had to show him how to get the rest of the goodies .. i will keep trying him with the Kong ..

I would love to try the raw marrow bones .. only if i could hide them from the wifey

she listens to her modern medicine teachers and friends is 100% against feeding raw ... maybe i will tell her it's for me ...

Stosh

· #13 · Sep 19, 2010

Feeding a raw bone to chew on isn't quite the same as digesting raw meat. Surely she wouldn't object to a knuckle or marrow bone for chewing purposes, would she?

Runswithdogs

· #14 · Sep 19, 2010

Our dog loved these when we first gave them but now she runs around the house with them and hides them...and doesn't chew them. Sucky

XTOL

· #15 · Sep 19, 2010

Stogey said:
No body said these animals weren't picky eaters ...

Picky eater? Not my Abby...she is a "Ieatus Anythingus".
Sticks, wood, bark, rocks, asphalt, plastic, paper,
cardboard, cigarette butts...

Bugs of all sorts...yummy ants, tasty crickets, delectable
grasshoppers.

Smashed goodies on the road...flat frogs and squished
snakes...

When I put her food bowl down she attacks like a angry
school of piranha. I bet if I fill it with gravel she would
wolf it down and beg for more...

A Bully stick has no chance with Abby. Destroyed and
down the hatch in 10 minutes flat.

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