All About Himalayan Yak Chews for Dogs
On every continent and in each country, we can find dogs. And just like dogs come from all over, so does their food. For example, have you ever heard of our Himalayan Yak Chews?
Originally made by local people living in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, our bestselling Himalayan yak chews are now available to pups in Canada and beyond.
Let’s find out why these hard and crunchy cheese treats are a “woof-tastic” choice!
What are Himalayan Yak Chews?
Like their name suggests, Himalayan Yak Chews have ties to traditional culinary practices in the geographical areas of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, and Nepal. In this icy landscape, ancient herders learned to combine yak and cow milk to create a 100% consumable, healthy and long-lasting chewable treat…for both pets and people. Because they are one-of-a-kind, each stick varies slightly in thickness, shape, weight, and colour.
So, how exactly is yak cheese made?
It boils down to a century-old recipe.
Using limited natural ingredients:
- yak milk
- cow milk
- salt
- lime juice
Farmers carefully pasteurize the milk, then beat and stir it until it thickens. From there, they extract the cream (to remove the excess fat but keep the high protein). The milk is heated one final time and soaked in a briny liquid, where the cheese is separated from the whey. They wrap the cheese curd in burlap bags and highly press it for 24 hours to remove as much moisture as possible and create a block shape. They are then cut and dried to remove excess moisture, and voilà! You have yourself a himalayan yak chew.
A hard cheese snack ready for your dog.
4 Terrific Benefits of Himalayan Yak Chews
Of course, your pet deserves the best.
This leads many pet owners to ask the question, “Are Himalayan Yak Chews good for dogs?”
Yes!
Gluten Free
There is lots to love about our cheesy treats. For starters, they are gluten-free. As Whole Dog Journal explains, dogs with chronic health problems, allergies, joint pain, epilepsy, recurrent ear infections, and more can potentially see improvements on a gluten-free food and treat diet.
Even better, yak milk is rich in magnesium, omega-3 fatty acid and calcium.
No Preservatives and Zero Chemicals
Similarly, our bestselling Himalayan yak chews contain no preservatives and zero chemicals. This makes them an excellent alternative to rawhide. Dogs Naturally Magazine shares that rawhide is also regularly preserved with various chemicals (like formaldehyde and chromium salts…yuck).
Let’s look at some other key canine health benefits below.
Relieve Boredom and Stress
When dogs are bored, anxious, frustrated, lonely, or stressed, oftentimes they chew as a way to release energy and regulate their emotions. Unfortunately for our shoes and furniture, a dog’s mouth can do A LOT of damage! Instead, try a yak chew.
The tough exterior can withstand aggressive chewing, but it still highly digestible.
Clean Teeth and Gums
Did you know?
Dental disease affects 80% of dogs over the age of three. According to veterinarians, lack of good oral hygiene is a huge problem. Fortunately, Himalayan Yak Chews are hard enough to scrap off plaque buildup to keep gums and teeth clean and healthy.
Are Himalayan Yak Chews Safe for Dogs?
Generally, yak chews are safe for most dogs.
As with all food, supervision is important. Never leave your dog alone with a new treat, chew, or toy.
Quick Tip: when Yak Snak pieces get smaller, put them in the microwave for 10 seconds! After it cools down, your pup will have a puffed up, cheesy treat!
