Yakka: the new way of chewing?
Yakka's chews are made from Churpi or Chhurpi. This is a type of cheese made from yak milk. Dogs often love cheese, but the cheese we know in Europe contains lactose and a lot of fat. This makes these cheeses unsuitable for dogs. However, Yakka's Yak chews are lactose-free and contain many vitamins and minerals. This makes Yakka chews the ultimate chew snack for your pet!
How is Yakka made?
The yak has been the livestock for Himalayan farmers for as long as we can remember. Cheese is made from yak’s milk: Churpi. Many people in the Himalayas make this themselves, but some bring it to the local dairy factory. After churning, a liquid remains, to which a small amount of culture (0.01%) and salt (0.01%) are added. The resulting substance is already thicker but still contains too much water. To remove this excess water, the mixture is placed in jute bags and pressed. It’s then cut into pieces and dried for a long time. Finally, the product is smoked to give it a pleasant taste.
What are the benefits?
- 100% natural
- No chemicals
- Lactose-free
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- Helps against plaque and tartar
- High in protein and calcium
- Hypoallergenic
Fake products on the market
When buying a Yak stick, you should keep in mind that there are many counterfeit products on the market. Many companies sell Yak sticks that consist mostly of cow’s milk instead of yak’s milk. This makes them cheaper, but you are also buying a completely different product. These counterfeit chews are much softer, have a shorter lifespan and are less healthy.
Who are Yakka’s suitable for?
For puppies, the bones are less suitable because their milk teeth can easily be damaged by the hard material of the bone. This also poses a risk to the underlying teeth. Don’t give your dog a Yakka chew until they have all their adult teeth.
It’s also important that your dog starts chewing at the ends of the chew. The Yak chews last a long time due to the extremely hard material, but biting through the Yakka is not advisable. Small pieces that break off are still too hard and shouldn’t be swallowed at once. If there is a piece left over at the end of the chew, it can be microwaved to pop it. This way, your dog can safely eat the last piece of chew and you don’t have to waste anything. N.B. Always stay nearby when your dog is chewing!
