Are Yak Chews Safe for Dogs? A Dog Walker's Guide

As dog walkers, we get asked about chews all the time. One question comes up more than most: "Are those yak things actually safe?" It's a fair question. They look like a lump of something very hard, they're not cheap, and you want to know what your dog is chewing on. So here's our honest take, from two people who hand out a lot of chews to a lot of dogs.

What is a yak chew?

Despite the name, a yak chew isn't made from a yak. It's a hard cheese, based on a traditional recipe from the Himalayas, made mainly from yak and cow milk with a little salt and lime juice. The cheese is pressed and slowly dried until it's rock hard.

That's why dogs love them. To a dog, it smells and tastes like cheese, and it softens slowly as they gnaw, so it lasts.

So, are they safe?

For most healthy adult dogs, yes, with sensible use. Like any chew, they're safest when you follow a few simple rules.

Pick the right size. The chew should be too big for your dog to swallow whole. If in doubt, go up a size. Our Tatty Yak bars come in medium, large and XL, so there's a size for most dogs.

Supervise chewing. We say this about every chew, not just yak. Stay nearby, especially the first few times, so you can see how your dog gets on.

Take away the last piece. As the chew wears down, there comes a point where the end piece is small enough to swallow. Take it away at that point. Don't bin it, though: see the puff trick below.

Go steady with sensitive tummies. Yak chews are a dairy product. Many dogs are fine with them because the cheese is very dry and hard, but if your dog is sensitive to dairy, or has a history of tummy trouble, check with your vet first.

Count them as part of the day's food. Yak chews are quite rich, so if your dog has one, you may want to give a little less at dinnertime.

Check with your vet if your dog has dental problems. They're a hard chew, so dogs with weak or damaged teeth may be better with something softer.

For puppies, follow the age guidance on the pack.

The puff trick

This is our favourite bit. When the chew is down to a small end piece, soak it in water for a few minutes, then microwave it for around 30 to 60 seconds (keep an eye on it, as microwaves vary). It puffs up into a light, crunchy treat, a bit like a cheesy crisp. Let it cool completely before giving it to your dog. It means no waste, and most dogs think the puff is the best part.

If you'd like to skip straight to the crunchy bit, our Multi Flavoured Yak Puffs come ready-puffed in five flavours: Original, Blueberry, Mint, Mango and Strawberry.

Why we stock The Tatty Yak

We pick everything we sell by asking one question: would we happily give this to the dogs we walk? The Tatty Yak is a family company, and their bars come in flavours like blueberry, strawberry, peanut butter, pumpkin, and mint and mango, which makes a nice change from plain chews. So where we do stock Yak bars from our other trusted suppliers and we love them, The Tatty Yak’s fun approach and family ethos resonated with Amy and I.

They're a regular for me at home with the boarders, and a firm favourite with the pack.

The short answer

Yak chews are a natural, long-lasting chew that most dogs love. Choose the right size, stay close while your dog chews, take away the last little piece (and puff it!), and they make a brilliant treat.

Browse our yak chews and other long-lasting favourites in The Big Chew.

Fionna & Amy, Paw'd Naturals: by dog walkers, for dog lovers.