Nature Gnaws Braided Bully Sticks | Family

The Verdict

If you’ve got a power chewer, you already know the drill: you buy a bag of bully sticks, and they’re gone before the weekend. The Nature Gnaws Braided Bully Sticks are engineered to change that math. Instead of one straight stick that a determined dog can demolish in 20 minutes, these are three sticks twisted together into a dense, interlocked chew that takes most dogs substantially longer to work through. Whether that’s worth the premium price is the real question.

What’s in the bag

The Family pack gives you a solid stash of 12-inch braided sticks — as shown in the product image, each one is a tightly woven triple-braid of grass-fed beef pizzle. You’re getting a single-ingredient product: 100% beef, no binders, no hormones, no artificial anything. The 12-inch length matters because it gives your dog something to grip with their paws while they work, which slows them down further and saves your furniture from being the chew target instead. The bag reseals, though you’ll likely go through it fast enough that storage isn’t a real concern.

Real-world performance

The braiding is the whole game here. The interlocked strands create a texture that’s harder to pull apart than a straight stick, which means more time spent chewing and less time spent supervising. For medium to large dogs with strong jaws, these hold up impressively — many buyers report 45 minutes to over an hour of active chewing. One verified purchaser noted, “My German Shepherd usually destroys a regular bully stick in 15 minutes. The braided version kept her busy for almost an hour.” That tracks with the physics of the product.

The odor control is another genuine win. Bully sticks are infamous for smelling like… well, what they are. Nature Gnaws claims these are low-odor, and while they’re not completely scent-free, they’re noticeably less pungent than most competitors. If you’ve banned bully sticks from the living room before, this is the version that might get them back in.

Where it falls short

Honestly, the main issue is value. Braided sticks cost more per ounce than straight cuts because the manufacturing process is more involved. If your dog is a light chewer who’d be happy with a standard stick, you’re paying for durability you don’t need. The thickness of the braid also makes these a poor fit for small breeds or senior dogs with worn teeth — the density that makes them long-lasting can make them too hard for delicate jaws. A few reviewers mentioned their small dogs gave up entirely, which means wasted money.

There’s also a calorie consideration. These are dense, high-protein treats, and at 12 inches, one stick is a substantial snack. If your dog is on a weight management plan, you’ll want to factor this in or break them into smaller pieces.

Who should buy these

Get the Family pack if you have a medium-to-large breed that destroys standard chews in minutes, especially if you’re tired of the smell of typical bully sticks. It’s also a smart choice for multi-dog households where you need each dog occupied for a solid stretch. Skip it for small breeds, seniors with dental problems, or if you’re on a tight budget — a straight-cut stick will serve you fine at a lower price.

FAQ

How long does one braided stick actually last? For a determined medium or large dog, expect 45 minutes to over an hour of active chewing. For heavy power chewers, it’s still not indestructible — it’s a longer-lasting chew, not an unbreakable toy.

Are these safe for aggressive chewers? Generally yes, but supervision is still recommended. The braided structure breaks down in smaller pieces than a straight stick, which reduces choking risk, but any consumable chew requires watching, especially at the end when the piece gets small enough to swallow whole.

Do these really have less odor? Yes, noticeably less than standard bully sticks. They’re not scent-free — you’ll still know your dog is chewing something — but the smell is milder and dissipates faster.

The Verdict

Buy it if you have a power chewer and you’re tired of replacing cheap chews every other day. The braided construction and reduced odor justify the premium for most medium and large breed owners.

Skip it if you have a small dog, a senior with dental sensitivity, or a light chewer who’d be fine with a standard stick — you’ll be paying for durability you don’t need.

Rating: 4.2/5 — A genuinely better bully stick that delivers on its core promise of extended chew time and reduced odor, held back only by a higher price per ounce and limited suitability for smaller dogs.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.