Yak Chews vs. Collagen Sticks for Dogs 🐶: Which One Deserves a Spot in Your Treat Drawer?

Looking for the best chew for your dog—one that’s healthy, long-lasting, and worth the money? Two of the most popular options right now are yak chews and collagen sticks.

Both promise benefits like dental support, protein, and digestibility. But they’re not created equal, and one often stands out as the better all-around pick.

In this guide, we’ll compare yak chews vs. collagen sticks based on nutrition, safety, chew time, and more, so you can decide what’s truly best for your dog.

🐾 Yak Chew vs. Collagen Stick: Quick Overview

Before we dive deeper, here’s the short version:

• Yak chews are ideal for dogs who love to chew, need long-lasting treats, and benefit from simple, clean ingredients.
• Collagen sticks are a better fit for dogs that need joint support, prefer softer chews, or enjoy quick protein boosts.

Both options are natural dog chews and make excellent alternatives to heavily processed or artificial treats. But for general chewing needs, yak chews often come out on top.

Want the full breakdown? Let’s go.

🦴 What Are Collagen Sticks?

Collagen sticks are made from the inner layer of cow skin (called corium), not to be confused with rawhide. They’re processed and shaped into chewy sticks your pup can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

✅ Why People Choose Collagen Sticks for Dogs:

• Supports joint, tendon, and ligament health
• Promotes a shiny coat and healthy skin
• Easier to chew—great for puppies or seniors
• Fully digestible (unlike rawhide)

So, are collagen sticks good for dogs? Yes—especially if your pup needs extra joint or skin support, or prefers a softer chew.

⚠️ Things to Watch Out For:

• Some dogs eat them too fast, so they don’t last long
• Many products are flavored or dyed, which can upset sensitive stomachs
• Doesn’t offer full protein nutrition—good support, but not a complete food source

🌄 What Are Yak Chews?

Yak chews (aka Himalayan chews) are hard, natural dog chews made using an authentic recipe from the Himalayas using yak milk, cow milk, lime juice, and salt. That’s it.

They’re hand-pressed, sun-dried, and slow-smoked—nothing artificial added.

✅ Why Yak Cheese Chews Are Gaining Fans Fast:

• Super long-lasting dog chews—especially for aggressive chewers
• Odorless—your couch (and nose) will thank you
• High in protein & calcium
• Naturally low in fat and lactose
• Made by small Himalayan communities using sustainable practices
• BONUS: Microwave the leftover nub into a puffed cheese treat!

⚠️ Things to Note:

• Hard texture—some senior dogs or very young puppies might struggle
• More expensive upfront, but they last much longer

🧠 Head-to-Head Comparison

👃 Smell Test: What’s It Like in Your Living Room?

• Yak Chews: Virtually odorless—a win for indoor dog parents.
• Collagen Sticks: Dogs love the smell. Dog parents? Maybe not so much.

🧼 Mess & Safety Factor

• Yak Chews: No grease. No slime. Doesn’t splinter. And the puff trick at the end reduces choking risk.
• Collagen Sticks: Can get gooey. Some dogs swallow big chunks if unsupervised.

Both are digestible dog chews, but yak chews may have a safety edge due to their puffable feature.

💡 The Bottom Line: Which One Should You Pick?

Here’s the truth: both chews have their place.

🏆 Choose Yak Chews If:

• You’ve got a power chewer who blitzes through regular treats
• You want a low-odor, long-lasting chew bone
• You like simple, clean ingredients
• You care about ethical sourcing and minimal waste
• You want one chew that doubles as two (hello, puffed snack!)
• You’re looking for a meat, rawhide alternative for dogs that’s easier to digest

👍 Choose Collagen Sticks If:

• Your dog needs joint, coat, or skin support
• They’re a puppy or senior with sensitive teeth
• You want a quick, satisfying treat, not a marathon chew session

💬 Final Verdict

Both are great. But when it comes to chew time that’s satisfying, safe, and stink-free, yak chews get our vote.

They last longer. They’re cleaner. They’re fun.
And they’re made the old-fashioned way—with care, not chemicals. What's even better is that the yak chews are now infused with flavors with unique benefits, making them even better.

❓ FAQs

Psst... Ready to upgrade your treat game?
👉 Check out our natural yak chews — for dogs who chew with purpose.