If your dog finishes a bully stick before you’ve finished making coffee, the chew isn’t the problem. The size is. Most dogs do best on 5″ for small dogs, 7″ for medium, 9″ for large, and 12″ for power chewers. If your dog lands between two sizes, go with the larger one.

That’s the short answer, and for a lot of pet parents, it’s the only one they need. But dogs chew differently, households have different priorities, and the right chew depends on more than the number on the scale.

Below, you’ll find a size chart you can match your dog to in about ten seconds, a breakdown of how chew style changes the recommendation, an honest answer on how long a bully stick actually lasts, a look at how bully sticks compare to other chew types, and one small piece of gear that changes how much you get out of every stick.

If you already know your dog’s size, you can skip ahead and shop Redbarn bully sticks now.

Bully Stick Sizes at a Glance

Start with your dog’s weight, then adjust for how hard they chew. The chart below covers the four sizes that suit most dogs. If you’re deciding between two rows, take the larger one.

Redbarn also makes bully sticks outside this range: 3″ to 4″ pieces for very small dogs and puppies, and 24″ and 36″ sticks that are more of an event than a snack. You can see the full size range, which runs from 3″ to 36″ and from 0.3oz to 2.7oz per stick. The extra-long sizes are fun, and they’re built for supervised sessions with dogs who can handle them. For most households, though, one of the four sizes in the chart above is the right call, and that’s what the rest of this guide focuses on.

Why Bully Stick Size Matters More Than You’d Think

Size looks like a minor detail on a product page. In practice, it’s the difference between a chew that occupies your dog for a genuine session and one that’s gone before they’ve settled.

The most immediate effect is on chew duration. An undersized stick disappears within minutes, which defeats most of the purpose of buying it. Chewing is one of the better boredom busters available to a dog and a way to redirect the kind of restless, stress-driven behavior that otherwise finds its way to your baseboards.

Size also affects how easy it is to supervise the chew. Redbarn’s feeding guidance is that a chew should be larger than your dog’s mouth and that chewing should always be supervised. A properly sized stick keeps more of the chew outside the mouth while your dog works at it, which makes it easier to keep an eye on things and to step in when the session should end.

Then there’s value. A stick that lasts twice as long is effectively half the price, even if it costs a couple of dollars more per unit. Sizing correctly is one of the few decisions that improves both your dog’s experience and your cost per chew at the same time.

And, as a bonus, there’s a dental angle. The natural act of chewing gently massages the gums and helps scrape away plaque and tartar buildup, but that benefit comes from time spent chewing, not from the chew existing. Redbarn covers this in more detail in “Are Bully Sticks Good for Dogs?”, and the short version is that a stick finished in three minutes doesn’t do much.

Bully Stick Sizes by Dog and Chew Style

Weight is where you start, but chew style is the real variable. Two 40-pound dogs can go through the same chew at completely different rates. One settles in for a long, methodical session, while the other treats it as a race. Find the description below that sounds like your dog, not just the one that matches the scale.

Small Dogs: 5″

Best for: Dogs under about 25 pounds who chew lightly to moderately.

Why this size: A 5″ bully stick is small enough for a little mouth to manage comfortably, but long enough that your dog isn’t finishing it in a few minutes. Redbarn’s guidance is that a chew should be larger than your dog’s mouth, and for most toy and small breeds, 5″ clears that bar with room to spare. If your small dog is a determined chewer (some terriers put larger dogs to shame), consider moving up to 7″ instead.

Pack options: 5″ 3-pack for trying it out, 5″ 1 lb bag for regular chewers, and a case of 50 if you’ve got a multi-dog household or just don’t want to reorder often. (shop all sizes and packs)

Works with the Grab-A-Bull®: Yes. The 5″ is the smallest regular size that seats securely in the Vice Grip System.

Medium Dogs: 7″

Best for: Dogs roughly 25 to 50 pounds with a moderate chew style.

Why this size: The 7″ is the most versatile bully stick Redbarn makes, and it’s the one to reach for when you’re genuinely not sure. It gives a medium dog enough length to hold and work at without being unwieldy, and it’s substantial enough to last through a real chewing session rather than a quick snack. This is also the size that tends to work well for larger dogs who chew gently.

Pack options: 7″ 3-pack, 7″ 6-pack for households that go through them steadily, and a case of 35. (shop all sizes and packs)

Works with the Grab-A-Bull®: Yes, and it sits comfortably in the middle of the holder’s range.

Large Dogs: 9″

Best for: Dogs roughly 50 to 90 pounds who chew moderately to strongly.

Why this size: Larger dogs cover ground faster, and a chew that satisfies a beagle disappears in a fraction of the time with a Labrador. The 9″ gives a big dog enough material to settle into, and the extra length means more of the stick stays outside the mouth while they work, which makes it easier to keep an eye on the session and step in when it’s time to call it. If your large dog regularly finishes a 9″ in one sitting, that’s your signal to move up.

Pack options: 9″ singles, 9″ 1 lb bag, and a case of 50. (shop all sizes and packs)

Works with the Grab-A-Bull®: Yes.

Power Chewers: 12″

Best for: Dogs of any weight who go through chews faster than everything else in the house.

Why this size: Power chewing isn’t really about body size. It’s about intensity, and plenty of 45-pound dogs chew harder than 80-pound ones. The 12″ is the longest of the regular sizes and gives a serious chewer the most to work with, which is why Redbarn lists it as its most popular option. At $13.99 for the 2-pack, it works out to about $7.00 per stick, and because it lasts longer than the shorter sizes, it’s often the better value per session even though it costs more per pack.

Pack options: 12″ 2-pack, and a case of 35 for households that go through them quickly. (shop all sizes and packs)

Works with the Grab-A-Bull®: Yes. It’s the longest of the regular sizes the holder is built for.

When Your Dog Is Between Sizes

Redbarn’s own advice is simple: go bigger. A slightly longer stick gives your dog a longer-lasting chew and stays easier to supervise, while a stick that’s too small gets finished before your dog has really settled in. Sizing up is almost always the better call.

Pack options: Whichever of the two sizes is larger. If you’re between 7″ and 9″, take the 9″. (shop all sizes and packs)

Works with the Grab-A-Bull®: Every regular size in this guide is designed to work with the holder, so sizing up doesn’t cost you compatibility.

How Long Does a Bully Stick Last?

There’s no single number, and any source that gives you one is guessing. A bully stick is a natural beef product, so no two are identical, and the same stick can last one dog an entire evening and another dog a few minutes. What’s predictable is the set of factors that push the answer in one direction or the other.

The three that matter most are size, chew intensity, and whether the chew is anchored or loose.

The practical takeaway is that if your dog is finishing chews faster than you’d like, you have two levers before you start buying more. Size up one step, and consider anchoring the chew so it takes some effort. Together, those do more than either one alone.

If your dog goes through a 9″ in a single sitting, that isn’t a defective stick. That’s a power chewer, and 12″ is the size built for them.

Matching the Chew to the Dog and the Household

Size gets you most of the way there. The rest of the decision usually comes down to your household: how intensely your dog chews, how much odor you’re willing to live with, whether your dog prefers something hard to work at or something with more give, how many dogs are competing for the same chew, and what you’re comfortable spending on something that gets eaten.

Those preferences are why Redbarn makes more than one kind of chew rather than trying to talk everyone into the same one.

How Bully Sticks Compare to Other Chew Types

Many pet parents choose bully sticks as an alternative to rawhide because they’re single-ingredient chews and digestible when fed appropriately. That’s the appeal, and it’s a real one, but it’s a preference rather than a verdict. Different dogs and different households end up in different places.

Whichever direction you go, one detail is worth knowing: the Grab-A-Bull® accommodates most regularly sized bully sticks, collagen chews, and esophagus chews. It’s useful throughout a household’s entire chew rotation, not just for one product.

Why Do Bully Sticks Smell?

Because there’s nothing in them to cover it up. A bully stick is one ingredient, beef pizzle, slow-roasted in its own juices. That’s the entire list. What you’re smelling is roasted beef, and it’s the same thing that makes the chew so appealing to your dog in the first place.

A few things worth knowing if the smell is a factor for you. It varies stick to stick, because these are natural products rather than uniform manufactured ones. It’s strongest when the bag is first opened and fades as a stick dries out. And it tends to be more noticeable on thicker sticks with more surface area.

It’s worth saying, though: odor is the trade-off that comes with a single-ingredient chew. Getting rid of it entirely would mean adding something, and that’s the opposite of what most people are looking for when they choose bully sticks for their dog.

Getting More From Every Chew: The Grab-A-Bull® Chew Holder

Once you’ve settled on a size, the next variable is how your dog actually uses it. A bully stick lying on the floor is a fine chew. A bully stick that moves, wobbles, and takes some work to pin down is much more interesting and holds a dog’s attention longer.

How the Vice Grip System Works

The Grab-A-Bull® uses a patented Vice Grip System designed to hold chews securely in place. You insert a regularly sized chew, twist to tighten, and it’s ready to go. The setup takes a few seconds.

The part dogs respond to is the wobble action. Because the holder doesn’t sit still, a chew that would otherwise be a passive activity becomes more like interactive play. Your dog is chasing, pinning, and working at it rather than just gnawing, and that extra engagement is the whole point.

Which Bully Stick Sizes Fit

The Grab-A-Bull® is built for regularly sized chews, which maps directly onto the four sizes in this guide. Whether you landed on 5″, 7″, 9″, or 12″ in the chart above, the holder is designed to work with it. That’s worth knowing before you buy: you’re not committing to a single size, and you’re not locked out of sizing up later if your dog’s chewing gets more serious.

Supervision and Cleanup

The Grab-A-Bull® is designed to support supervised chewing. It’s built for durability, but all dogs should be supervised during use, including and especially strong chewers. Treat it as a tool that makes supervised chew time better, not a substitute for being in the room.

On the practical side, the removable components are dishwasher safe, which matters more than it sounds when it comes to a product that spends its life covered in dog hair.

Why We Recommend Redbarn Bully Sticks

Redbarn started with two twelve-year-olds on a hockey rink in Canada. Jeff Baikie and Howie Bloxam met as kids, stayed friends into adulthood, and in the early 1990s noticed the same gap in the pet aisle: there wasn’t much on the shelf they’d actually feel good about feeding their own dogs. In 1996, they co-founded what became Redbarn Pet Products.

More than 30 years later, it’s still family-owned, now with around 500 team members and over 200 foods, treats, and chews. The bully stick side of the business grew the same deliberate way. After years of building relationships with cattle ranchers, the founders bought their own manufacturing plant in Paraguay. That gave them control over sourcing while holding to U.S. manufacturing standards, and it’s a big part of why Redbarn is one of the top bully stick manufacturers and can keep prices where they are.

The quality side is less charming but more useful to know. According to Redbarn’s quality assurance program, its facilities in the U.S., Paraguay, and Brazil meet Safe Quality Food (SQF) requirements, and the company runs more than 10,000 quality assurance tests every month.

“Over the last 30 years, we’ve learned that trust is built into everything we do at Redbarn. From carefully sourcing our ingredients to rigorous testing and quality standards, we’re committed to giving pet parents products they can feel confident giving their dogs.”

Lindsay Tracy, VP of Business Development, Redbarn Pet Products

As for what’s in the chew itself: one ingredient. Beef pizzle, slow-roasted in its own juices. Grain-free, chicken-free, rawhide-free, no artificial flavors, with a 36-month shelf life.

And if it turns out not to suit your dog, that’s covered too. The Redbarn Promise is straightforward: if a product isn’t right, their customer service team will help you find one that is.

What You’re Actually Paying Per Chew

A 12″ 2-pack runs $13.99, which works out to about $7.00 per stick at regular price. On its own, that number can feel steep for something your dog is going to destroy.

It looks different next to the alternative. A plush toy costs more than $7.00 and, for a lot of dogs, lasts a fraction as long, sometimes a single afternoon. Measured by how much engaged, occupied time you’re buying, a bully stick tends to compare well against almost anything else in the toy aisle.

This is also where the size-up rule pays off twice. A longer stick costs more per unit but delivers more chew time per dollar, so buying up the chart is usually the better value even though the receipt says otherwise.

A few other ways regular buyers bring the number down: Subscribe & Save takes 10% off recurring orders, the Redbarn loyalty program earns points on every purchase, and shipping is free on orders over $49.99, which a holder plus a couple of packs will clear.

And right now, code IHEARTBULLY15 takes 15% off on top of all that. It works on Bully Sticks and Shapes, and on the Grab-A-Bull® if you want to add it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size bully stick should I get for my puppy?

Start with a size larger than your puppy’s mouth. For most puppies, that means 3″ to 5″, moving up as they grow. Redbarn notes that bully sticks suit puppies who have developed their adult chewing habits, so check with your veterinarian about timing, and supervise every session closely.

What is a bully stick made of?

Beef pizzle. That’s the entire ingredient list. Redbarn bully sticks are slow-roasted in their own juices, with no artificial flavors added. They’re grain-free, chicken-free, and rawhide-free, with a 36-month shelf life.

Are bully sticks digestible?

Bully sticks are digestible when fed appropriately, which is a major reason many pet parents choose them as an alternative to rawhide. As with any chew, size it so it’s larger than your dog’s mouth, supervise the whole session, and remove any small end pieces that could pose a choking hazard.

How many calories are in a bully stick?

It depends on thickness as much as length. Veterinary sources generally put bully sticks in the range of roughly 9 to 22 calories per inch, so a thick 7″ stick can carry more calories than a thin 9″ one. Count chews toward your dog’s daily intake, especially with smaller dogs.

Should I size up or down if my dog is between sizes?

Size up. Redbarn’s guidance is to choose the larger option when your dog falls between two sizes. You get a longer-lasting chew, easier supervision, and generally more chew time per dollar. Sizing down tends to end the session before it’s really started.

How should I store bully sticks?

Keep them somewhere cool and dry with the bag sealed. Redbarn bully sticks have a 36-month shelf life, so a bulk bag or case won’t go to waste. Sealing the bag also keeps the smell contained between chew sessions.

What chews fit in the Grab-A-Bull®?

The Grab-A-Bull® is built for regularly sized chews and accommodates most bully sticks, collagen chews, and esophagus chews. All four bully stick sizes covered in this guide (5″, 7″, 9″, and 12″) are designed to work with it.

Is the Grab-A-Bull® dishwasher safe?

The removable components are dishwasher safe. Take the holder apart, run the removable pieces through a normal cycle, and reassemble once dry.

Can strong chewers use the Grab-A-Bull®?

Yes. It’s built for durability. That said, all dogs should be supervised while using it, especially strong chewers. The holder is designed to support supervised chewing, not to replace it, so stay in the room and check the chew as the session goes on.

Choosing the Right Bully Stick Size

Match the size to your dog: 5″ for small, 7″ for medium, 9″ for large, and 12″ for power chewers. When in doubt, go bigger. That one decision solves most of what people get wrong about bully sticks.

From there, the Grab-A-Bull® is how you get more out of whichever size you land on: more engagement, more interest, more reason for your dog to stay with it. And right now, code IHEARTBULLY15 takes 15% off both.

The post What Size Bully Stick Does My Dog Need? A Complete Sizing Guide appeared first on iHeartDogs.com.