Bully sticks feel like a "free" activity treat, but they are meat — and meat has calories. A 2013 study in the Canadian Veterinary Journal measured about 9–22 kcal per inch across the sticks it tested, and found that most owners underestimated that number. Here's how to work it out for your dog.
Calories per PUPHE stick
PUPHE bully sticks contain about 3,200 kcal per kg (calculated from our guaranteed analysis). Multiply by the weight of the stick to get the calories:
| Style | 6-inch (weight) | 6-inch (kcal) | 12-inch (weight) | 12-inch (kcal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin | 10–18 g | ≈ 30–60 | — | — |
| Standard | 19–24 g | ≈ 60–75 | 38–49 g | ≈ 120–155 |
| Thick | 25–29 g | ≈ 80–95 | 50–59 g | ≈ 160–190 |
| Jumbo | 30 g+ | ≈ 95+ | 60 g+ | ≈ 190+ |
| Braided | 30–50 g | ≈ 95–160 | 60–100 g | ≈ 190–320 |
The exact number for each product is listed in its "At a glance" table.
How much can my dog have?
Veterinary nutrition guidelines suggest treats — chews included — make up no more than about 10% of daily calories. The table below uses typical daily needs for adult, moderately active, neutered dogs; your dog's needs may differ, so check with your vet.
| Dog weight | Approx. daily calories | 10% treat budget | Roughly equals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | ~400 kcal | ~40 kcal | One thin 6-inch stick |
| 10 kg | ~650 kcal | ~65 kcal | One standard 6-inch stick |
| 20 kg | ~1,100 kcal | ~110 kcal | Most of a 12-inch standard stick |
| 30 kg | ~1,500 kcal | ~150 kcal | One 12-inch standard stick |
| 40 kg | ~1,850 kcal | ~185 kcal | One 12-inch thick stick |
Practical ways to fit bully sticks in
- Give part of a stick. End the session, rinse and dry the stick and save the rest for another day.
- Adjust meals. On chew days, reduce kibble slightly to balance the calories.
- Choose by size, not appetite. A thin or standard stick keeps small dogs in budget.
- Watch the waistline. If your dog gains weight, cut back on chew frequency before cutting meals further.
For everything else — sizing, safety, storage — see The Complete Guide to Bully Sticks.
Worked example
Maple is a 20 kg Border Collie mix who needs about 1,100 kcal a day. Her treat budget is about 110 kcal. A 12-inch standard stick (38–49 g) is roughly 120–155 kcal — a little over budget. Her owner gives her the stick for 30 minutes, then puts the remaining half away for another day. On chew days, Maple gets no other treats.
Calories per inch, explained
You'll often see bully stick calories quoted "per inch". That's useful for comparing across lengths, but thickness changes everything: a thin inch might be 5 kcal, a jumbo inch well over 15. Weight is the more reliable measure, which is why PUPHE publishes the weight range for every style.
Special cases
- Puppies: need more calories per kg than adults, but they are small — a whole thin stick can still be a big share of the day.
- Seniors and less active dogs: often need 10–20% fewer calories than younger adults. Smaller portions or thinner sticks help.
- Weight-loss plans: ask your vet for a daily calorie target and fit chews inside it — or save bully sticks for occasional use.
- Dogs with kidney or liver disease: high-protein treats may need to be limited; always follow your vet's advice.
Sources
- Freeman LM, Janecko N, Weese JS. Nutritional and microbial analysis of bully sticks and survey of opinions about pet treats. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 2013;54(1):50–54.
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Petfoodology — Dangers of bully sticks: popular treat can carry bacteria and add calories.
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, Petfoodology — What are safe and healthy treats for my pet? (the 10% treat guideline).
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) — Global Nutrition Guidelines and toolkit, including calorie needs for dogs.
- National Research Council. Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. National Academies Press, 2006 (energy calculation with modified Atwater factors).
- PUPHE guaranteed analysis; calories calculated with modified Atwater factors.
