Dogs are the #1 most popular pet in the world.
On every continent and in each country, we can find our four-legged friends. From rolling green hills and sandy deserts to snowy mountain peaks, there are hundreds of dog breeds recognized globally. They all share one thing in common – a love of treats!
And just like how dogs come from all over, so too does their food.
For example, have you ever heard of our Small Himalayan Yak Snak?
Originally made by local people living in the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Only One Treats bestselling yak chews are now available to pups in Canada and beyond.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’s old recipe.
Using limited natural ingredients such as yak milk, cow milk, salt, and lime juice, farmers carefully pasteurize the milk, then beat and stir it until it thickens. From this point, the resulting cream is extracted (to remove the excess fat but keep the high protein). Milk is heated one final time and soaked in a briny liquid, where the cheese is separated from the whey. The cheese curd is wrapped in burlap bags and highly pressed 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!
A hardened cheese ready to be gnawed and chewed by 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, Only One Treats bestselling yak chews contain no preservatives and zero chemicals. This makes them an excellent alternative to rawhide, which has been known to carry traces of lead. 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!