As more and more chew-loving dogs are obsessed with yak chews, many dog parents are asking all the right questions about yak cheese. The most basic and important question: are yak cheese chews good for dogs?
If you've been wondering about yak chews, too, you're in good company.
What's in yak cheese dog chews and how are they made? What are the benefits? Are they too hard for some dogs? How long do they last? Are they good for all dogs... for my dog?
Let's dive into everything you need and want to know about yak cheese chews and your dog...
What is yak cheese and how is it made?
Often referred to as Himalayan dog chews, yak cheese chews have a long tradition originating from the Himalayan region of Nepal as a cheese historically enjoyed by humans. Now, of course, yak cheese is also loved by dogs everywhere.
Yak cheese is all-natural, made from yak milk and sometimes cow milk. The process of making yak cheese is simple-- also fascinating. Fresh milk is boiled, mixed with a small amount of lime juice or salt to solidify, and then strained to form the cheese and harden. The cheese is often dried and hard-pressed, resulting in long-lasting, dense yak milk chews perfect for dogs to chew for an extended time, usually over several sessions.
What makes yak cheese chews so nutritious for dogs?
One of the big reasons dog parents give their dogs yak cheese is its nutritional value. With only three ingredients, and two of them -- lime juice and salt in tiny amounts, yak cheese is a clean, all-natural treat with key nutritional benefits for your dog:
High-quality protein
Yak cheese is rich in protein, essential for your dog's overall health, muscle development, and energy levels. A single yak cheese chew can provide a significant protein boost to your dog’s diet.
Calcium for stronger bones
Calcium is an essential nutrient for bone health, and yak cheese is a great source. Regular chewing on yak cheese chews can help support strong bones and teeth in dogs of all ages.
Low in fat and allergy-friendly
Many dogs have sensitivities to grains or require treats that are low in fat. Our yak cheese chews are naturally low in fat and don’t contain added grains or added anything artificial, making them a healthy, allergy-friendly option.
All-natural ingredients
Yak cheese is free from the preservatives, additives, and artificial flavors you'll find in so many commercial dog chews. This makes it a clean treat that helps you avoid unnecessary chemicals in your dog's diet.
Are yak cheese chews good for dogs' teeth?
Yak chews boost your dog's health in more ways than just nutrition. They can also act as a natural toothbrush for your pup. Here’s how yak cheese chews support your dog's dental health and can help keep your pup's teeth clean:
Scraping away plaque and tartar
The hard, dense texture of yak chews for dogs helps scrape off plaque and tartar as your dog chews, contributing to healthier teeth. The secret to yak cheese chews is that they soften with your dog's saliva, making the firmness pliable enough to allow teeth to penetrate and get the benefit of a scraping and almost floss-like effect. Adding yak chews to your dog's regular chewing habits can help keep tartar buildup at bay.
Stimulating gums
Chewing promotes gum health by increasing blood circulation to the gums, reducing the risk of infections. For senior dogs or puppies who may have sore gums for different reasons, the massaging of gums calms soreness and promotes healing circulation.
Promoting fresh breath
By increasing saliva production and reducing plaque and bacteria in the mouth, yak cheese can even help freshen questionable dog breath (a bonus benefit for many dog owners).
Why chewing boosts your dog's well-being and calmness
It's no accident that dogs chew things when they're feeling stressed. Dogs are born chewers; they're hardwired to self-soothe with the act of chewing. Your dog instinctively knows that chewing releases endorphins and other "feel-good" hormones in the brain, giving your pup both mental stimulation and a sense of calm.
Since yak chews are long-lasting (often for hours and across several chewing sessions), they can keep your dog entertained, mentally stimulated, and calm -- and happily away from your best shoes or other not-so-good choices.
Satisfying your dog's natural chewing instinct with yak cheese treats is a perfect opportunity to boost your dog's happiness -- along with your pup's dental health and nutrition.
What to do with the small endpiece of yak cheese chews?
Giving your dog any kind of chew always means being sure to supervise your pup. With edible chews, your dog will have a small piece near the end of all that chewing that can be too small for your dog's mouth for safety. Of course, you'll want to take it away before it's a size that's a potential choking hazard. The great news: with yak chews, you can easily turn the endpiece into a tasty cheese puff treat in your microwave!
How to turn a yak cheese endpiece into a safe, yummy cheese puff
1) Soak the endpiece in water for about 5 minutes. For dogs, the endpiece is usually the last 3 inches of the yak chew, but any size that makes sense for your dog works.
2) Remove the endpiece from the water and put it in the microwave on a safe plate for 45-60 seconds (till it stops puffing up). You can expect it to puff quite a bit, about three times its original size.
3) Let it cool completely, then watch your pup munch away on a yak cheese puff!
Pro safety tips for all dog chews:
- Remember, for any and all chews for dogs, it's always important to keep an eye on your dog to make sure there are no issues with difficulty chewing or swallowing, and to prevent a choking hazard.
- Be sure to match chews to your dog's size and chewing style. Our yak chews are available in sizes from Small, Medium, Large, to Monster. When in doubt, size up for safety and a longer-lasting chew.
Have fun watching your dog enjoy a soul-satisfying chew session with a yak cheese chew! And feel good knowing you're not only giving your pup long-lasting chewing entertainment but good nutrition, healthier teeth, mental stimulation, and soothing stress relief at the same time.
Here's to plenty of healthy chewing with yak cheese chews!
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