Flavored Yak Cheese Chews: All Seven of Ours, Compared

Most yak cheese chews come in one flavor: plain. Ours started that way too. Then we noticed something every dog parent already knows. Some dogs will work at a plain chew for days, and some will sniff it and walk away. A little fruit or a little mint is often what turns the second dog into the first.

So we make our cheese chew in seven flavors. Here’s how they compare, side by side, so you can pick one without guessing.

What every one of them has in common. Every chew starts from the same base: yak and cow milk with a little lime juice, pressed into a block and dried until it’s hard. That’s the whole recipe for the original. The flavored chews add one more ingredient, the fruit, pumpkin or mint that gives them their name. There’s no salt in any of them. That’s worth checking when you compare cheese chews, because many list salt as an ingredient. Ours don’t. Nothing artificial and no preservatives either. They’re made in Nepal using a traditional method, and every one is a long-lasting, high-protein chew. If you’d like the longer version of how they work and how long they last, our guide to yak cheese chews covers it.

The seven flavors, one at a time.

• The original (Yummy Yak Cheese Chew). Yak and cow milk, lime juice. Cheesy, mild and the classic. The only flavor that also comes in X-Large, for dogs over 60 lb. From $8.50.
• Blueberry. The base plus blueberry. Lightly fruity. From $10.75.
• Strawberry. The base plus strawberry. Sweet and fruity. From $10.75.
• Mango. The base plus mango. Bright and tropical. From $10.75.
• Coconut. The base plus coconut. Mellow and a little richer. From $10.75.
• Pumpkin. The base plus pumpkin. Earthy and seasonal. From $10.75.
• Mint. The base plus mint. Cheesy with a fresh, minty finish. From $10.75.

How they compare on the label. All seven are high in protein and low in fat, and each product page lists its guaranteed analysis. The added ingredient changes the taste far more than it changes the nutrition, so choose by what your dog likes, not by the numbers.

Sizes. The flavored chews come in Medium and Large. Medium suits smaller dogs and gentle chewers, Large is the right default for most dogs (small ones included), and the original also comes in X-Large for big dogs and serious chewers. If you’re between sizes, go up. A chew that’s a little too big is safer than one that’s a little too small.

How to pick a flavor. A few simple rules of thumb:

• Picky dog? Try a fruit flavor. If plain cheese doesn’t excite them, a little blueberry, strawberry or mango sometimes does.
• Not sure at all? Try the Flavor Flight, one chew in each of the six flavors, and let your dog vote.
• Gentle chewer or older dog? Any flavor works. Choose Medium, or puff the chew in the microwave until it expands and let it cool completely before serving.
• Prefers a crunch to a chew? Yummy Yak Cheese Crunchies are the same milk, puffed into light, crispy pieces.

Common questions.

Do your cheese chews have salt in them? No. None of our seven flavors has salt in the ingredients. Many cheese chews do, so it’s worth reading the label when you compare.

Are flavored yak chews as long-lasting as plain ones? Yes. The flavor is part of the chew itself, and the texture is the same hard chew, so they last just as long.

Is the flavor just on the outside? No. The flavoring ingredient goes into the chew, so it doesn’t wear off after the first few minutes.

Which flavor do dogs like best? Every dog is different, which is exactly why the Flavor Flight exists.

How do I give one safely? Supervise, especially the first time, keep fresh water nearby, and take the chew away once it’s worn down small enough to swallow.

The short version. Seven flavors, one simple base with no salt, the same long-lasting chew. If you know what your dog likes, pick that one. If you don’t, the Flavor Flight lets them taste all six flavors and tell you. See all the cheese chews.