Are Yak Chews Safe For Dogs? Explained

Yak chews

Dogs love gnawing and chewing at things as much as they love a good walk. It is a good idea to get them a taste of dog chews before their attention turns to shoes and other household items. Yak chews are a safe choice as they are made of natural ingredients.

What are Yak chews made of?

Yak chews are made of all-natural ingredients and no artificial flavoring is added. Yak chews use a combination of cow and yak milk to give the chews a cheese flavor.

Yak milk is relatively healthier than cow milk with higher content of protein, essential amino acids, fat, lactose, and minerals. This helps in muscle growth and keeps the dog healthy and fit.

A dash of lime juice and salt is added to yak chews to harden the milk component naturally. Salt is added very minimally as it can lead to upsetting the dog’s stomach otherwise. These are then flattened into blocks and dried for almost a month to give them a unique flavor.

The use of these natural components makes the chews almost odorless, making them appealing to owners who are sometimes put off by other putrid-smelling dog food.

What age are Yak chews suitable for?

Puppies that have moved past their initial teething stage find yak chews to gnaw on. The Yak milk in these chews boosts their energy levels and gives them a good growth spurt in their crucial growing months.

Yak chews have more benefits than just giving the dog a hobby. Yak chews improve the dogs’ dental health. The constant movement of the jaws and teeth removes plaque and tartar that is lodged between the teeth.

Yak chews also improve the jaw strength of dogs. Continuous gnawing keep them well stimulated and makes them strong.

Yak chews are beneficial for the dog’s mental health. It provides mental stimulation and keeps the dog alert and active. It is always advisable to supervise the dog when giving a yak chew for the first time.

The dog could swallow too quickly or it could hurt their young teeth. 

Are Yak chews digestible?

Yak chews are easily digestible as they do not contain any chemicals or preservatives. Yak milk and cow milk is treated to such a degree that the lactose component is completely removed. This makes yak chews a suitable snack for even lactose intolerant dogs.

ALSO READ: Can dogs drink Dr Pepper

Do Yak chews dissolve?

Yak chews do not dissolve easily in water but can be broken down easily by the dog’s digestive system. Artificial flavoring in dogs’ food can lead to severe gastro issues with some dogs. This is something that you do not have to worry about with Yak chews.

Do Yak chews make dogs thirsty?

Some dogs salivate more than others. The chewing on a Yak chew for a long time sometimes leads to the dog salivating more than usual. This could lead to the dog feeling thirstier than it normally does. It is not the Yak chew that makes the dog thirsty but the act of chewing that could lead it to want more water.

It is best to always keep a bowl of freshwater near the dog at all times. A few sips throughout the day could keep the dog from getting dehydrated and keep them generally healthy.

Are Yak chews good or bad for dogs’ teeth?

Yak chews are found to have a good result on dogs’ teeth. Yak milk chews are also found to fight plaque and in turn, tartar in dogs’ teeth.

Plaque, which gradually builds up in dogs’ teeth when not cleaned regularly, turns to tartar. Too much tartar in a dog’s teeth can give way to gum diseases, loss of teeth, and a lot of pain and discomfort.

The constant gnawing and chewing with a Yak chew can clean out the plaque naturally and maintain good dental hygiene.

Are Yak chews safe for puppies?

Yak chews are considered safe for puppies that have crossed their initial teething stage. Puppies can take hours to soften the Yak chew. They then scrape off the parts of the chew and swallow.

Yak chews have also been known to relieve teething pain in puppies. When teething, puppies tend to chew on anything lying around. Giving a Yak chew to these puppies, adds nutrition to their chewing activity, saves household items, and avoids ingestion of unsuitable items.

Yak chews are also recommended for puppies for their nutritional value. Yak chews have healthy amounts of Omega-3 which helps in the proper development of the brain and eyes. They also have the right amount of calcium that puppies need for good growth. Yak chews also have an impact on the puppies’ skin and hair as they are rich in protein.

As easy as it sounds, it is recommended to monitor young puppies while they are gnawing on a Yak chew as there are possibilities of them choking on a bigger piece. 

Can Yak chews break teeth?

Dogs can sometimes get a little carried away while gnawing on a Yak chew and this could lead to chipping off of a tooth or sometimes break the whole tooth.

Yak chews come in different sizes and it is best to get one suitable to the dog’s age and size instead of going for one that comes in free size.

How to make Yak chews softer?

Yak chews can sometimes be hard for young puppies to gnaw at. The Yak chews can be made softer with a quick fix. 

  • First, soak the Yak chew in water for five minutes
  • Then microwave it for a couple of minutes or just 30 seconds if it is in pieces. This puffs the Yak chews and gives it a softer, yet crunchy texture
  • Let your microwaved Yak chew cool before you give it to your dog

Do Yak chews make dogs sick?

Yak chews are usually good for dogs and do not make them sick. They are also easy on the digestive tract and get digested easily.

A dog can fall sick after eating a Yak chew if it swallows a large piece of the chew without chewing. This could lead to choking or the big piece could lodge itself in the dog’s digestive tract leading to digestive issues.

Do Yak chews go bad?

Yak chews can be stored for years without going bad. Though no preservatives or artificial flavoring is used, the intense treatment of the raw ingredients at the production stage keeps its shelf life high. 

Yak chews have been seen to get better with age and last longer the older they are. They can be used up to five years from their manufacturing date.

Yak milk does not normally go bad. But if there are green spots on the Yak chews, please do not give it to your dog. 

A Yak chew does not go bad even if it is left half-finished after a few chews. The leftover pieces could be picked up, microwaved for 30 seconds, and given to the dog after cooling.

How long do Yak chews last?

Once given to a dog it is hard to say how long the dog will take to polish Yak chew off. Very active dogs tend to finish off the chew in about 20 minutes while smaller dogs could take a few sessions to eat it completely.

Giving a dog something to chew on is a way of keeping the dog’s mind active and also keeping it occupied for a while. It also improves the dogs’ brain capacity and concentration. Yak chews can generally be given twice a week.

How to store Yak chews?

As Yak chews do not contain any bulk fillers or artificial flavors, there is no need to refrigerate them. It can be stored in a cool place even when unused. Once opened, you can pat it with a napkin and store it in a dry corner that has ventilation. 

Do not store a Yak chew in an airtight container as it will be unable to air dry. Refrigerating a Yak chew is also a bad idea as it will lose its moisture and become brittle.