ARE BULLY sticks bad for humans?

[Alcibides]

Is it true that bully sticks can make humans sick? If you've handled a bully stick must you wash your hands in fear of e coli etc etc? If they're so bad or bad at all for humans, how safe can they be for our pups? ANyone have the scoop on these beloved dog treats? Thanks so much.

[Tuss]

not sure, but some people feed dogs raw chicken without any problem yet no way I would eat it! also, the standards for food intended for "dogs" don't have to have the same safety standards as those deemed for "human consumption" so they have to post those kinds of warnings.

[jillnors2]

I've never heard this, my dogs get bully sticks frequently and I handle them all the time. No problems.

[Missy]

Lol... I had visions of you munching on a bully from your title. My understanding about why raw and gross things like bully sticks are ok for dogs and not humans is that dogs have shorter, faster digestive tracks so not enough time for the bacteria cause damage. That being said... I have never had a problem with bully sticks (except for the smell). But in all things dog... Safe food handling practices are the best defense.... That does mean washing your hands when ever possible after handling. But then again...the more your exposed to the better your defenses, unless you have a compromised immune sytstem

[davetgabby]

funny you should ask. This just came out the day you posted ,yesterday . I'm waiting to hear from Sabine. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...ews+--+Dogs%29

[davetgabby]

I asked Sabine her views on the article and forgot to ask her whether a certain brand might be safer. Here's her reply

Just goes to show once again that common sense really isn't.

Something that is marketed as "fully digestible" adds calories? No way!

Something that is essentially slaughterhouse waste and by its very nature exposed to animal urine is contaminated with bacteria? No way!

People should wash their hands after handling animal product based food and treats? No way!!

By the way, according to my information that I have, some bully sticks can supply as much as 35 kcal per inch.

I had to laugh , because she went to the University of Guelph. lol

[motherslittlehelper]

Originally Posted by Missy

Lol... I had visions of you munching on a bully from your title. My understanding about why raw and gross things like bully sticks are ok for dogs and not humans is that dogs have shorter, faster digestive tracks so not enough time for the bacteria cause damage. That being said... I have never had a problem with bully sticks (except for the smell). But in all things dog... Safe food handling practices are the best defense.... That does mean washing your hands when ever possible after handling. But then again...the more your exposed to the better your defenses, unless you have a compromised immune sytstem

Oh, man, I had the same visions!! So glad to learn that is NOT the case!! After I found out what they were, I haven't brought another into the house!

[Tuss]

Okay, i read that article that Dave posted and the tested bully sticks tested positive in a couple cases for MRSA and C.Diff. Yeah. OK. I won't be buying those ever again!

[Alcibides]

The article Dave posted (thank you so much Dave) put it all in perspective. The time it takes for these bacterial sources to entertain our puppies isn't worth the possibility of infection (for elderly me or my very young grandchildren!). I wonder if it's all true as well for pig ears and the other body parts that look so delicious in pet food stores. What (when it's chicken and not peanut butter) is inside those boiled bones that Lucky loves? We have half chewed bully sticks all over our house. I'm cleaning them out and sticking to antlers. Thank you forum again. Boy this site is the best. Bravo.

[whimsy]

I bought one last year...Whimsy didn't want anything to do with it. I dumped it. Yuck.