Yak cheese chews are one of the most popular long-lasting dog treats—but many dog owners aren’t using them correctly.
Also known as Himalayan dog chews, these hard cheese sticks can keep dogs busy for hours. But once they get small, they can become a choking risk if you don’t handle them properly.
That’s where puffing comes in.
I’ve been using yak cheese chews with my dogs for years, and in this guide I’ll show you how to feed them safely, when to take them away, and how to turn leftover pieces into a crunchy treat your dog will love (I’ll show you exactly how below).
What Are Yak Cheese Dog Chews?
But either way, they’re hard cheese chews for dogs that are long lasting and fully digestible.
That makes them a great boredom buster for dogs, and a limited ingredient one at that.
Because besides the milk from Yaks, there’s only a little lime juice and a tiny amount of salt in there as a natural preservative.
Some Yak Cheese Dog Chews also use a mix of Yak and Cow milk, but that depends on the respective recipe.
The cool thing about these dog chews is that although they’re made from milk, they’re virtually lactose-free.
That’s because the curing process gets rid of almost all of the lactose.
So there’s less than 1% of lactose in Himalayan Dog Chews. The first time I personally came across these chews was back in 2012 at a local pet store.
It was either a PetSmart or a PetCo, I can’t remember.
But I do remember that it was the Himalayan Dog Chew kind.
Either way, I bought some for my first dogs Missy & Buzz.
Later, I came across them again when I worked for Mighty Paw.
That’s when the brand introduced Yak Cheese Dog Chews as their very first dog chew.
Below is a picture of my Feist mix Wally with the Mighty Paw yak chews.
Why & How to Puff Yak Cheese
So here’s the thing – although this dog chew is on the longer lasting side, your pup is eventually going to get it chewed down to a small end piece.
That’s where it can get dangerous because the nub can turn into a choking hazard.
Now, I’m not saying that it WILL get stuck in your dog’s throat, but it may, especially if your dog’s a gulper.
So to prevent this from happening, take the end piece away and turn it into a yak cheese puff.
It’s fun to watch the transformation because the nubs will turn into 2-3 times their original size!
Plus, they’re yummy – my Feist mix Wally LOVES his yak cheese puffs!
Now, all you need to make one is the end piece of a yak chew and a microwave.
Put the end piece into the microwave for 45-60 seconds, and voilà, there’s your crunchy yak cheese puff! Make sure to let it cool off for a few minutes before you give it to your pup.
Optional: A bowl of water. If you want, you can soak the end piece for 5 minutes before you put it into the microwave, but it’s not 100% necessary.
I’ve tested both approaches – soaking it and not soaking it – and they both turned out nice.
How to Puff Yak Cheese For Dogs: Bottom Line
It’s very easy to turn the potentially dangerous end piece of a yak cheese chew into a crunchy cheese puff!
All you need is a microwave, 45-60 seconds to let it do its puffing magic, and then a couple minutes to let it cool off.
Once it’s cooled off, you can offer it to your pup. At this new consistency, it’s safe for your dog to eat.
But be warned, there’ll be drool and crumbs…
Now get your hands on some Himalayan dog chews for your pups so you can treat them to an extra special doggie surprise!
Tip: You can also buy small Yak Cheese Nuggets end pieces that are ready to be puffed!
Related Reading
- Raw chicken feet for dogs
- Can dogs eat raw pigs feet?
- Olive wood dog chews for puppies
- How to make dehydrated pork dog treats
- How to prevent dog tartar buildup with dog chews
- When and how to feed raw marrow bones for dogs
- How to make dog popsicles with handles
Barbara Rivers is the founder of K9sOverCoffee and a raw feeding educator with over a decade of hands-on experience.
She has fed raw in the US and Europe since 2015, after her Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis led her to move away from processed kibble and commit to species-appropriate nutrition.
As a former professional dog walker, she developed deep insight into canine behavior, conditioning, and the essential link between proper exercise and long-term health.
Barbara completed online training with veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott and works for one of Germany’s leading raw dog food brands, BARFER’S.
In 2026–2027, she is completing a year-long raw nutrition certification for dogs and cats at THP School, founded by raw feeding pioneer Swanie Simon.
Through her blog and weekly newsletter, she provides clear, experience-based guidance to help dog owners feed raw safely and confidently.