How Long Do Yak Chews Last? (Plus the Microwave Puff Trick)
HY
Highland Yak Chew Team
6 min read
Black pug lying on a sofa holding a strawberry yak chew between its paws
How Long Do Yak Chews Last?
This is the question we get asked most, and the honest answer is: it depends on your dog. We have heard from owners whose dog makes one chew last for weeks, and others whose dog was on the last piece by teatime.
Here is what makes the difference, how to stretch a chew further, and what to do when it gets small.
What Decides How Long a Chew Lasts
How your dog chews. Gentle chewers lick and nibble. Power chewers grind with their back teeth. This matters more than anything else.
Size of the chew compared with the dog. A small chew in a big dog’s mouth goes quickly — and is less safe. See our [size guide](/blog/yak-chew-size-guide).
How long each session is. A chew left down all day is gone sooner than one given for half an hour at a time.
How dry it is. Saliva softens the chew. Letting it dry out between sessions keeps it harder for longer.
How to Make a Yak Chew Last Longer
Size up for strong chewers. If your dog finishes a medium quickly, try a [large](/products/classic-dog-chew).
Use short sessions. Fifteen to thirty minutes, then put it away. Many dogs enjoy the chew more when it reappears tomorrow.
Let it dry between sessions. Leave it somewhere airy, not in a sealed tub while wet.
Supervise. You will spot a dog trying to crack off big pieces, which is the fastest way through a chew — and not a safe one.
When to Take It Away
Take the chew away when:
It is small enough to swallow whole
It is breaking into crumbly chunks
It has gone soft and sticky all over
Your dog has lost interest
Do not throw the end piece away, though.
The Microwave Puff Trick
The last bit of a yak chew can be turned into a completely different treat. Heat makes the remaining moisture expand, and the dense cheese puffs up into something light and crunchy, a bit like a cheese puff.
Four-step yak chew puff trick: soak the small end piece in water, microwave it, watch it puff, then let it cool completely before serving
Soak. Put the end piece in warm water for about five minutes.
Microwave. Put it on a plate on its own and microwave for about 30–60 seconds. Microwaves vary, so start with less and add more if needed.
Watch it puff. It grows several times bigger. Stop once it has puffed and stopped growing.
Cool completely. Wait at least two minutes. The outside cools fast, but the middle stays hot.
A puffed piece is easy to bite through, which makes it a good treat for smaller dogs and older dogs, and it means nothing goes to waste.
Puffs Without the Leftovers
If your dog prefers the crunchy version, you do not need to wait for an end piece. Our Classic Puff Chew and Classic Un-Puff Chew are small pieces made for puffing at home.
Highland Yak Chew Crunchy Puff Chew pouch with puffed yak milk treats visible through the window
Is a Long-Lasting Chew Always Better?
Not necessarily. A chew that lasts forever because your dog cannot make any impression on it is too hard for them. What you want is a chew your dog can gradually wear down. If you are weighing up options, read yak chews vs rawhide vs antlers.
Ready to Try One?
Use code FRANK10 at checkout for 10% off your order. UK delivery is a flat £1.99, and orders usually arrive within 3–5 working days. Browse all our chews, start with a Classic Yak Chew, or send us a message if you are not sure which one to pick.
Common Questions
How long do yak chews last?
It depends mostly on your dog. A gentle chewer may get several sessions over days or even weeks from one chew, while a determined power chewer can get through a small chew in a single sitting. Choosing the right size, or one size up for strong chewers, and putting the chew away between sessions makes it last much longer.
How do you puff a yak chew in the microwave?
Take the small end piece away from your dog, soak it in warm water for about five minutes, then microwave it on its own for around 30 to 60 seconds until it puffs up. Microwaves vary, so start with less time and watch it. Let it cool completely, for at least two minutes, before giving it to your dog — the inside stays hot.
When should I take a yak chew away?
Take it away once it is small enough for your dog to swallow whole, if it starts breaking into crumbly chunks, or if your dog loses interest. The small end piece can then be puffed in the microwave.
How long do yak chews keep in the pack?
Yak chews are dried hard cheese, so they keep well in a cool, dry place. Check the best-before date on the pack, reseal it after opening, and keep chews away from damp and direct sunlight.
Why has my dog’s yak chew gone soft?
That is normal. Saliva softens the surface of the chew as your dog works on it. Leave it somewhere dry between sessions and it will harden up again. If it stays soft and sticky, it is near the end of its life — puff the remaining piece.
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