Home › Yak chew microwave instructions: what each brand says, quoted
Yak chew microwave instructions: what each brand says, quoted
Several yak cheese chew brands tell owners to puff the last small piece of a chew in the microwave. Their instructions don't all match: times run from 30 to 90 seconds, and some say to soak the piece first while others don't mention it. Below, each source's own wording is quoted side by side and linked. Nibbables hasn't tested any of these methods; follow the instructions for the brand you bought and ask your vet if you're unsure.
Last checked 2026-10-23
Yak chew microwave instructions side by side
Quoted from each source's own page, checked 2026-10-23. "Not stated" means that page doesn't say.
Source
Which piece
Soak first?
Microwave time
Cooling
Himalayan Dog Chew (Himalayan Pet Supply), Cheese product page
After your dog enjoys their chew, take the leftover piece away
Soak in warm water for 5 minutes
Heat for 45 seconds in a 1000-watt microwave
Cool for 2 minutes
Yak Chewz, "How to Puff a Chew!" page
Not stated
Soak for 5 minutes before the 60 seconds
It's as simple as 60 seconds in the microwave! · Add another 30 seconds to puff a bit more · Do not exceed 90 seconds due to burning
Let it cool before taking it out!
Mighty Paw, yak cheese puff guide
We usually use the last 3” of our dogs’ chews, but any size will work!
let it sit for five minutes
Microwave it for 45-60 seconds, or until puffing stops completely.
Allow the cheese puff to cool for a few minutes until it is completely cool to the touch.
Pawstruck, Medium Himalayan Yak Dog Chew product page
When the Himalayan dog chew has been chewed down to a swallowable size, remove the remaining piece from your dog.
Not stated
Put the piece in the microwave for 45 seconds
let it cool for two minutes
YAKERS (yakers.co.uk), microwaving guide
approximately 3-4cm of a medium or XL chew
Not stated
Microwave on high for 30-60 seconds (depending on the power of your microwave)
ensure it has completely cooled before feeding it to your dog
Yakkity Zac's (yakkityzacs.co.nz), "How to Microwave the Last Piece"
A good rule of thumb is to remove the chew when it's small enough that your dog could potentially swallow it whole.
Leave it to soak for around 5 minutes.
Microwave on high for approximately 45–90 seconds. · If it hasn't fully puffed after 45 seconds, continue heating in short 10–15 second bursts until it has expanded.
Allow it to cool completely before giving it to your dog.
Whole Dog Journal (Dr. Mary Cope, PhD, published December 15, 2025; editorial, not a brand)
you can take the remaining piece
soak it in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes
microwave it for roughly 30 to 90 seconds, depending on its size
It will be extremely hot, so do not handle it until it cools.
Watch: How long to microwave a yak chew: the 7 sources in 1 minute
A 1-minute summary of the table on this page (sources checked 2026-10-23). Information, not veterinary advice. Narration is computer-generated. Watch on YouTube · Nibbables on YouTube
How long to microwave a yak chew?
It depends on whose instructions you follow. In the seven sources above, times run from 30 to 90 seconds: Himalayan Dog Chew and Pawstruck each say 45 seconds (Himalayan Pet Supply specifies a 1000-watt microwave), Mighty Paw says 45-60 seconds, YAKERS 30-60 seconds, Yak Chewz 60 seconds plus an optional 30 more, Yakkity Zac's approximately 45–90 seconds, and Whole Dog Journal roughly 30 to 90 seconds depending on the piece's size.
How long to soak a yak chew before microwaving?
Himalayan Dog Chew, Yak Chewz, Mighty Paw and Yakkity Zac's each say about 5 minutes (Himalayan Pet Supply specifies warm water). Whole Dog Journal says 5 to 10 minutes in warm water. The Pawstruck and YAKERS instructions quoted here don't mention soaking.
Is there a maximum microwave time for a yak chew?
Of the sources here, only Yak Chewz gives an upper limit: “Do not exceed 90 seconds due to burning”. Mighty Paw's guide says “Observe the puff while microwaving, and adjust your time as needed to prevent overheating.” Yakkity Zac's says “Watch it as it cooks.” and “Microwave times vary depending on the power of your microwave and the size of the piece.”
Can you microwave a whole yak chew?
None of these sources describes microwaving a whole chew; they all describe the leftover end piece. Yakkity Zac's answers the question directly: “The full-sized chew is designed to be enjoyed in its original hard form.” YAKERS describes the piece as “approximately 3-4cm of a medium or XL chew”, and Pawstruck puts its microwave instructions under the heading “Precaution to Avoid Choking”.
Why does a yak chew puff up in the microwave?
Yakkity Zac's explains it this way: “When you soak the final piece and then heat it in the microwave, the remaining moisture inside rapidly turns to steam.” Mighty Paw says the piece “can puff up to three times its size”.
Cooling and supervision
Every source quoted above says to let the puff cool before your dog gets it. Yakkity Zac's adds: “Never give the puffed chew to your dog while it's still hot.” Mighty Paw's guide says: “Always supervise your dog when giving them treats, especially homemade ones.” Himalayan Pet Supply's advice for use includes “Supervise pets when giving them any treat”.
Mighty Paw's yak cheese product page gives a shorter version of its method: “Soak it in water for 5 minutes, then microwave for 45–60 seconds to create a crunchy cheese puff your dog will love.”
Yak chew pages that don't mention microwaving
The product pages for the Pupford, Raw Paws Pet Food and Best Bully Sticks yak chews in our directory didn't mention microwaving when we checked them on 2026-10-23. If you have one of those, check with the brand before puffing it. You can compare all the yak chews we list, with ingredients and origin claims, on our yak cheese chews page.