Barkworthies Bully Sticks Lawsuit: Are They Really Odor-Free?

Case Overview: Barkworthies faces a lawsuit for allegedly misleading pet owners with "odor-free" bully stick claims, despite customer complaints of strong odors. 

Consumers Affected: Nationwide pet owners who purchased Barkworthies Odor Free Dog Bully Sticks.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

A lawsuit claims Barkworthies misled pet owners by labeling its bully sticks as odor-free, despite customer complaints stating otherwise. The complaint argues that shoppers paid extra for a product that did not meet expectations.

Odor-Free Labeling Under Question

Barkworthies promotes its bully sticks as a cleaner option compared to other treats on the market. The lawsuit, filed by Leonardo Garcia, states that this claim does not hold once the product is used as intended.

Bully sticks, made from dried beef, often carry a distinct scent. The complaint explains that while certain drying methods can reduce odors, completely removing them requires additional processing. According to the filing, Barkworthies did not take the necessary steps to ensure the product remained odor-free.

“Unfortunately for consumers seeking odor-free bully sticks, [Barkworthies’] deceptive advertising is evidenced by scores of [consumer] complaints that Defendant’s affirmative representations and warranties about the ‘odor-free’ representations are false,” the lawsuit states.

Customer Experiences Contradict Packaging

Shoppers who purchased Barkworthies bully sticks expecting a smell-free treat have shared their experiences online. The lawsuit references multiple reviews, including some from Amazon, where customers describe the product as “extremely pungent” and “stinking to high heaven.”

The plaintiff, who bought the treats from Petco, read the product description before purchasing and believed the treats would not have a strong scent. After giving one to his dog, he discovered that was not the case.

According to the lawsuit, if consumers had known the product would still produce a noticeable odor, they may have chosen a different brand or paid less for it.

Product Manufacturing May Be a Factor

The odor of a bully stick depends on how it is processed. Some manufacturers use extended drying times or different handling methods to reduce lingering smells. The lawsuit claims that Barkworthies did not apply these techniques but still marketed the treats as odor-free.

The complaint states that the company knowingly used a marketing approach that capitalized on consumer demand for bully sticks with less odor. If the treats were labeled more accurately, customers could have made informed choices when comparing products.

Similar Cases Involving Pet Products

Several pet food brands have been accused of misleading consumers with product labels that fail to match reality.

A lawsuit against ZuPreem Bird Food claims the brand promotes its products as natural, despite containing synthetic ingredients. Pet owners who purchased the bird food under the assumption that it was free from artificial additives have filed a case similar to the Barkworthies' complaint.

Another lawsuit targets Nestlé Purina’s Friskies Party Mix Natural Yums cat treats, which are marketed as free from artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The case alleges that the treats contain synthetic ingredients acting as preservatives, contradicting the product’s packaging.

In the Barkworthies class action lawsuit, Garcia seeks to represent a nationwide class of pet owners who purchased Barkworthies Odor Free Dog Bully Sticks based on the odor-free marketing claims. His lawsuit contends that these shoppers were misled into paying a premium for a product that did not meet expectations. 

The lawsuit demands refunds for affected consumers, updated labeling and advertising practices, a court order preventing further misleading claims, and return of profits allegedly gained through deceptive branding.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Garcia v. TDBBS, LLC d/b/a Barkworthies
• Case Number: 3:25-cv-00299
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• Philip L. Fraietta, Jenna L. Gavenman, and Joshua B. Glatt (Bursor & Fisher, P.A.)

Have you purchased Barkworthies Bully Sticks? Share your experience with the odor in the comments.